Latino & Spanish Music

The Latino & Spanish Music category lists musicians who specialise in Hispanic and Latino music of South America. Their repertoires include spicey salsas, sambas, flamenco, folk and many more Spanish and Latin American sounds.

Also see Brazillian Bands, Dancers Flamenco, Salsa & Latino

Alegria is an exciting and versatile duo. Both lead singer Shireen and vocalist, keyboardist and saxophonist Martin are consummate musicians and performers with years of experience. They can provide anything from smooth jazz and ballads to dynamic dance sets featuring a huge range of music from 50’s rock’n’roll through soul, funk, Motown, disco, 80’s, 90’s and the most recent pop hits. Add to this Martin’s experience in Spain and his repertoire of Latin dance songs, sung in fluent Spanish and Portuguese and you have a fantastic array of music that will keep everyone happy. Ballroom dance aficianados will be especially in their element! Alegria can provide other services including MC, wedding ceremony music, “Live Karaoke”, children’s and seniors’ entertainment.

Reflejos is an original band creating vibrant and unique music drawn from Latin American Traditions. The music is performed by the lead singer Bonnie Smith in Spanish, French and English. The band consists of classical nylon stringed guitars, flute, charango (small Andian guitar from South America), double bass, percussion (congas, bongos, cajon, darbuka), mandolins and beautiful vocals.

'Awesome music. Your stuff is really incredible' - Tommy Emmanuel. The Gypsy Crims are a Melbourne based Duo performing Infectious Gypsy Flamenco guitar music composed by Orlando and accompanied by Michael Kontachristos. Orlando also being an accomplished Oud player has infused the sound of the Oud within his very own unique style of Flamenco Guitar technique that has earned him praise from excellent musicians worldwide including Ginesa Ortega, Duquende, Tommy Emmanuel, Harri Stojka, Lulo Reinhardt amongst others. The Gypsy Crims are available for weddings, corporate and private functions and can accomodate all needs, allowing up to an 8 piece.

Bossa Negra is a new band that conveys and invokes the excitement of Brazil’s crazy carnivals, football, beautiful beaches and the exhilarating nightlife of Rio de Janeiro. From a large ballroom to a small café, Bossa Negra are flexible in adapting to all occasions, venues and budgets in many formats.

The Urban Gypsies are an instrumental Jazz/ Latin/ Classical/ Contemporary guitar duo. They also perform as a trio with percussion/ violin, or as a quartet with the addition of bass. They represent an exciting direction in Latin / Classical mixed with funk, rumba and gypsy swing. The music varies from fiery guitar virtuosity through to lounge bossa nova, classical pieces and popular classics.

Jorge Campano brings the beauty of the Spanish Andalucian music to Australia. He has a unique style as a guitarist, singer, composer and arranger. His style has the passion and fire of Andalucia, combined with the contemporary music of today – the result is a vibrant repertoire that captivates his audiences and has made him very popular on the Sydney live music scene. He performs as a soloist, but can also provide his trio or the group called 'Andalucia', which comprises three musicians and three flamenco dancers.

Martin Cox is a highly versatile pianist/singer who is as comfortable playing soft jazz in a cocktail lounge as he is belting out soul, rock’n’roll or Latin dance songs (sung in fluent Spanish) with full backings on his keyboard. He has years of experience playing in restaurants, hotels, weddings, corporate functions and festivals here and in Spain and can read the audience like the palm of his hand. His enormous repertoire covers music from the 1920’s to now, encompassing jazz, pop, rock’n’roll, Latin, soul, Motown, folk, classical and his own songs and improvisations. He has also done “Live-Karaoke” shows which he can incorporate into his show and worked extensively with children and seniors. See also listings for his popular duo “Alegria”.

Avatar is a fiery guitar driven ensemble that was formed late in 2003. The combination of two nylon string guitars allows an emphasis on repertoire diversity, drawing upon such broad styles as Flamenco, Tango, Samba, Calypso, Bossa Nova, Contemporary Jazz, Popular Classics and Originals. Based on Outstanding musicianship and an ever-expanding repertoire, Avatar explores the high end of Guitar Improvisation through each of these styles.

The Caribbean Kings are a talented and versatile group of musicians who have based their style on a blend of Caribbean, Latin American and African music. These styles are well known for their appealing dance rhythms and infectious joyous melodies. In choosing repertoire, the band has endeavoured to remain within the boundaries of ‘popular’ music, to remain commercially appealing and entertaining.

La Rumba have an energy that is hard to dismiss, pleasing all crowds and creating a great atmosphere. The music is a combination of Gypsy Rumba, traditional Flamenco and they even inject some Arabic flavours. La Rumba perform as a 5 piece band, but if required they can accommodate smaller venues as a duo/trio.

With a unique Spanish/Latin style incorporating various influences from South America, Europe and Japan, the sounds and rhythms of Alejandro Florez’ debut album Solquemia captures the soul and experiences of this talented musician. Alejandro creates the perfect blend of light and energy with popular rhythms that are suitable for all occasions. A superbly entertaining performer, available for all venues and locations.

A unique contemporary jazz act. The proposition of the trio is to involve the audience in the conversation proposed by the musicians. A very exiting act resembling the classic jazz interaction within a contemporary jazz trio, consisting of Pat Valdivieso (guitar), hayley Jones (bass) and Jarrod Bisemann (Drums). In this repertoire you will find everything, from the most up-tempo bebop tunes, to the very chilled Bossa, swing and some backbeat funk tunes also are involved.

Carlito's Way is one of the most powerful bands to hit the Latin Music scene in a long time. The answer to those in need of the authentic sounds of Cuban Music. Since their debut performance in Melbourne on the first day of Spring 2006 the band has created a fresh and unique sound that inspires people to keep coming back for just a little bit more!