SOLD OUT - King Salsa, Support: The Ronnie Scotts All Stars Saturday 5th February

“King Salsa” was founded by Percussionist/Drummer Robin Jones in England in 1986.  In its 20 or so years the band has had a colourful and varied career and has become something of an international institution of Latin (mainly Cuban) music, dance and folklore.

The personnel have always been drawn from the top current group of crack young players internationally, and have also backed many of the world’s greats of Latin and Latin Jazz.  Many great players and singers have graced the band’s ranks, many of whom have become Band Leaders in their own right, but often make return appearances.  These include trumpet virtuosos Steve Waterman, Mark Armstrong and Grahame Flowers also trombone legends Dennis Rollins and Paul Shepherd and percussion ace Bosco de Oliveira.  

Currently, there’s a new line-up.  The trumpets feature the formidable lead of Jean Paul Gervasoni, Alex Maynard and the section and jazz solos of Gavin Broom.

The new piano man is Andrew Noble from Australia, although Chris Kibble is still around when available from his busy schedule with Terry Callier.  The bass chair features Jonny Gee with multi instrumentalist Gerry Hunt still there on occasion.  The timbales are in the hands of young Mark Cecil who is becoming one of the most sought after Drummer/Percussionist on the scene.  Virtuoso sax/flute man is Jamie Harris and new trombone star and Musical Director is Tim Smart.  Add to this the charismatic vocals and percussion of Enrique Bringas and Tony Danger (both from Cuba) and Carlos Fuentes (from Chilli) and you have it.  On occasion virtuoso Cuban violinist Omar Puente guests with the band.  Robin himself has had a vastly chequered career, playing with most of the world’s greats of Latin, jazz and pop including Stan Getz, Phil Woods and Latin Jazz piano great Charlie Palmeiri.  More recently he has been seen with trumpet greats Eddie Henderson and Artuoro Sandoval.

The band has two CDs “Ache” and “Chango” and has been featured at most of the world’s best jazz venues and festivals including Marlborough, Malta, Pori (Finland) and Brecon.

ROBIN JONES has had a vastly varied career in Latin, Jazz and Pop music.  He has been featured with many artistes, here in England (where he lives), in the United States, the Caribbean and some areas of the Far East; they include:

Charlie Palmeiri (New York/Puerto Rico), Machito (New York/Cuba), Mongo Santamaria (New York/Cuba), Alfredo ‘Chocolate’ Armenteros (Cuba), Alfredo Rodrigues (Cuba), Tony Evora (Cuba), Maria Lerena (Cuba), Eumir Deodato (Brazil), Gilberto Gil (Brazil), Samba School GR Mocindade Independente de Padre Miguel (Brazil), Brazilian spectacular ‘Brazil Tropical’, Sandra Mara (Brazil), etc.

In Jazz he has been featured with Stan Getz, Phil Woods, Bud Powell, Jay McShann, Kenny Barron, Mose Allison, Slim Gaylard (Piano), Barney Kessell, Al Casey, Tal Farlow (Guitar), Sonny Stitt, Ben Webster, James Moody, Dextor Gordon, Art Farmer, Red Rodney, Bobby Shew, Chet Baker, Ted Curzon (Trumpet), Gary Peacock, Percy Heath, Eugene Wright (Bass).

In England he has played in so many different situations, it is difficult to list them all; they include his long-time association with Mark Riley and Matt Bianco, Elton John, Lulu, Matt Monro, Val Doonican, Billy Idol, Sade, Basia, The Pioneer Jazz Rock Band ‘Jazz Workshop’ with Ray Russell and Alex Harvey, Johnny Dankworth and Cleo Lane, Rod Argent, Barbara Thompson and John Heisman, Don Rendell, Harry Beckett and many more, not forgetting his French Connection with Michel Legrand and Charles Aznavour.  He also remembers, with great fondness, his long stint with great American singers Dick Haymes, Brook Benton and Vic Damone.

His American pop connection includes Gloria Gaynor and super-star Moby.

Robin has been credited with being the Godfather of British Latin Music and Latin Jazz.  He has recorded extensively, having 7 albums of his own bands to his credit, also several albums with numerous artistes including Matt Bianco, Elton John etc.

His 2 bands King Salsa and the Robin Jones Latin Jazz Sextet has recorded and toured extensively both here and internationally.  Robin has in the last few months toured with American Jazz greats Eddie Henderson and Gary Bartz.  In more recent years he has been featured in Cuba with Cuban Trumpet/Singer Bobby Carcasses.  He has also played with American baritone great Ronnie Cuber, Cuban trumpet legend Auturo Sandoval and Composer/Arranger Lalo Shifrin.

In 2008 the King Salsa band and the Latin Jazz Sextet played jazz festivals Great Yeldham, Marlborough and Brecon.

The present line-up of King Salsa

Trumpets -Jean Paul Cervasoni
                Alex Maynard
                Gavin Broom
Trombone/Musical
Director        -    Tim Smart
Saxophone/Flute    -    Jamie Harris
Piano            -    Chris Kibble
Bass            -    Jonny Gee
Timbales        -    Mark Cecil
Vocals            -