latin jazz

Salerosa is an Afro-Cuban 6-piece from the UK playing Latin jazz favourites, sizzling salsa grooves, original compositions and popular chart topping songs all fused with pulsating Afro-Cuban rhythms. Their new and distinctive arrangements are performed by some the finest UK Latin jazz musicians - Sulene Fleming (vocals) Andrzej Baranek (piano), Richard Hammond (bass), Howard Jacobs (sax, clarinet & percussion), Chris Sykes (drums) and Pete Williams (congas).

Perhaps best known for his work as the compelling counter-voice to singer and wife, Stacey Kent, Jim Tomlinson (b: 8th Sept 1966) is increasingly recognised as a distinctive saxophone voice in his own right. The release of his debut album as leader, Only Trust Your Heart (Candid 2000), was greeted with enthusiastic and universal acclaim. His follow up CD, Brazilian Sketches (2003), was named Jazz CD Of The Week by the Observer newspaper in the UK.

Read more about Jim Tomlinson on Last.fm.

Born in 1984, bassist, singer and composer Esperanza Spalding began playing in small jazz and blues venues around her hometown of Portland, Oregon. Soon after picking up the acoustic bass at the late age of 14, she helped form Noise for Pretend, an eclectic band fusing jazz and pop for which she sang and played bass (often simultaneously). The group signed with indie rock imprint Hush Records, which released two albums of their original compositions.

Jazziz praised Brazilian guitarist Badi Assad (pronounced Bah-Jee Ah-Sahje) as "a virtuoso of the highest order" while Guitar Player pegged her as "fearless!" Wonderland, her second for Deutsche Grammophone is not only an album fantasy and hope; it is also a plea for some sanity in this insane world of ours. The CD touches on many taboo topics including rape, prejudice, child prostitution and loss of cultural identity.