Roberto Pla Big Band Latino

We're delighted to welcome Colombian master-percussionist Roberto Pla and his Big Band Latino. Otherwise known as the Godfather of Latin Music in the UK, Roberto Pla will be heading up an all-star lineup of international musicians. Expect a dazzling repertoire of salsa, Latin-jazz and tropical rhythms.

Instrumental in bringing the authentic Latin beat to the UK, and known equally well on the pop and Latin scenes, Roberto has recorded and toured with artists including Boney M, Kate Bush, Joe Strummer, Motorhead and Slim Gaillard while the individual CVs of his band read like a Who’s Who of Latin and jazz music!

Roberto Pla is the Colombian percussionist best known as the 'God-Father of Latin Music in the UK, for his contribution to live music particularly in Afro- influenced rhythms. His Latin Ensemble is a regular presence on the European Festival and TV scene. In 1979 Roberto left Colombia for New York, where he became a busy salsa session percussionist. A year later the attractions of the European pop scene drew him to London, where he joined a jazz fusion band Cayenne and by 1982 he was touring the world with pop megastars Boney M. In 1984, he was one of the earliest members of the London School of Samba, the first samba school to be set up in the UK.

In 2017 the band celebrated their 30th anniversary, winning their first LUKAS award for 'Lifetime Achievement and contribution to the Latino Community in the UK'. They have headlined the 'Glasto Latino Stage at Glastonbury Festival and subsequently won their second LUKAS for 'Concert of the year' .Recent major live highlights for Roberto Pla and the Latin Ensemble have been Brecon Jazz Festival, Expo Festival Lisbon, The Edinburgh Fringe, Canada Square Festival, Under the Stars Festival, Jazz at Boisdale & Ronnie Scotts Club.