What’s happening (London-side, early this summer)?
25 June, 2025Oh to be in London, now that summer’s here. Actually, I’m quite glad that I’m not, but there are compensations. Here are a few…
Alexander Abreu y Havana D’Primera at Electric Brixton, 26th June
Yes, sorry about that; it is a bit late in the day. However, according to my man on the street, there are tickets still available if you’re prepared to get your skates on. It’s a chance to see a full 16-piece orchestra playing a heady brand of salsa and backed by live Cuban dance. DJ Javier de la Rosa will be on hand to warm things up nicely, too.
Frente Cumbiero at Hootananny Brixton , 29th June
Again, a bit late in the day, but it seems that there are tickets still available to see this Colombian cumbia quartet renowned for their live shows. Support comes in the capable form of DJ Cal Jader.
Marimbea @ Jamboree (Camden), 5th July
No excuses for missing this one. You can catch some glorious coastal Colombian sounds courtesy of a cultural organisation that works with local musicians, dancers and other purveyors of the Pacific region’s tradition-bearers. This performance will synthesise the kind of things that they do with voices and percussion. (Very reasonably priced) tickets are available here via the DICE app or via Eventbrite.
Aimée Nuviola feat. Kemuel Roig and Eduardo Ramos at Ronnie Scott’s, 4th and 5th July
The multi-Grammy-winning singer, musician, songwriter and actress with the big, big hair brings her highly percussive band to Ronnie Scott’s to celebrate a fusion of Afro-Latin genres and rhythms that she has dubbed “Bonche”. She’ll be featuring the young piano-tyro Kemuel Roig and percussionist Eduardo Ramos. Tickets for the shows over the two nights are available here.
Fabiola Méndez at Ronnie Scott’s, 17th August
Native to Caguas, Puerto Rico, Fabiola Méndez began playing the cuatro, the island’s national instrument, at the age of six. She made history as the first graduate of Berklee to play this as her principal instrument and her artistic mission is to celebrate it and her native folk music in general. You can see her and her band with a golden ticket from the legendary Soho establishment. It could be a delightful evening.
Cuban Jazz Syndicate at Ronnie Scott’s, 21st August
Michael Olivera is a graduate of Havana’s prestigious National School of Art, often a byword for brilliance. No exception to the rule, he has become one of the most influential drummers on the international scene, with more albums and assorted collaborations than you can shake a drumstick at. Get your tickets to hear the sextet here, ladies and gentlemen and aficionados of dynamic Latin jazz. Here’s a quintet version of the Syndicate from a few years back.
There’ll be more; I’ll be back.
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