What’s happening (later this year)?
03 March, 2025Good grief, it’s nine months already since I organised myself sufficiently to let y’all know about what’s happening Latin-wise here, there and everywhere in between. I can tell you, there’s quite a bit. Here’s what I know of…
Eliane Elias at Ronnie Scott’s
Here’s someone I’d dearly love to see. I’ve been a fan since the singer-pianist’s days in Steps Ahead when she was trumpeter Randy Brecker’s wife. Aged in soul perhaps, but the voice is still entrancing and a bossa nova repertoire would be just right for the spirit. Never mind; you can go in my place and send me your critiques on a postcard please. She’s at the legendary London jazz club between the 25th and the 27th of this month. Tickets still seem to be available.
Seu Jorge at the Roundhouse
Last time I looked there were only Level 2 seats at £60 to be had for Seu Jorge’s appearance at the Roundhouse on the 31st March. I guess that’s par for the London course these days. Do not tarry, do not linger!
Record Store Day
Among the seven limited-edition vinyl releases that Craft Recordings have lined up to mark Record Store Day on April 12th is Celia Cruz and Willie Colón’s 1977 offering, Only They Could Have Made This Album. Probably as true as my guess that it’s available now for pre-order. But don’t quote me.
La Linea
In addition to all the individual concerts it curates throughout the year, ¡Como No! also of course organises The London Latin Music Festival. This year’s 25th anniversary edition of La Linea takes place between 22nd April and 5th May. The highlights are many, but I guess Eliades Ochoa’s appearance at The Barbican on the opening evening could attract the biggest audience.
Los Fabulosos Cadillacs at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Dubbed by the New York Times as “perhaps the most innovative Spanish-language rock group of the 1990s”, the Argentine rock band celebrates 40 years of hit-making at the west London venue on 5th June. Further information and tickets here, and here’s one of their most famous hits of all.
Havana D’Primera, direct from Cuba to London
Latin GRAMMY-nominated trumpeter Alexander Abrew brings his 16-piece Havana D’Primera orchestra to the Electric, Brixton in London on 26th June for an evening of powerful and irresistibly danceable salsa, with three-time Tropicana World Open Salsa Chamption Yanet Fuentes joining the line-up to show off her moves. Tickets here. Watch this and polish up your dancing shoes in readiness.
Quinteto Astor Piazzolla at The Barbican
Described as the closest thing you can get to the late legendary Argentine composer himself, the five Latin GRAMMY-winning virtuosi will be playing the Piazzolla Nuevo Tango songbook at the Barbican on the 27th July. Tickets can still be had.
Naꞔão Zumbi at Village Underground
It sure is a season of anniversaries. Another (semi-) legendary band, this time from Brazil, will be celebrating at east London’s Village Underground on the 30th July 30 years of Da Lama Ao Caos, their landmark first release from 1994, ranked #14 in Rolling Stone’s list of all-time Brazilian albums. Chico Science may no longer be in the fold, but the Manguebeat Movement lives on in all its raucous iconoclastic glory. Anyone for tickets?
That’s all for now. Write out 50 times, boy, “I promise to do better and make this a more regular feature.” Uch, sir!
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