The Genius of Hector Lavoe
Simply named ‘La Voz’ (The Voice), Hector Lavoe was considered by many as the greatest salsa singer ever. A legend in Latin America, both in life and in death, Lavoe’s voice, charisma, stage presence and personality cemented him as the symbol and sound of New York’s golden era of salsa and made him an icon. His collaborations with Willie Colon are all classics and his own albums are some of the best Salsa albums of his era. Here we pay tribute to The Singer of Singers (El Cantante de los Cantantes).
Put simply, Salsa would not have gained the popularity it has today without the contributions of an artist that lived a tragic life and found his escape in music. His name is Héctor Juan Pérez Martínez, better known as Héctor Lavoe, Lavoe coming from La Voz.
Héctor was born into a poor, well-known family of musicians in the southern town of Ponce, Puerto Rico in 1946. His grandfather was a singer and composer, his uncle was a famous tres player, his mother was a singer and his father used to play in local orchestras and bands night in and night out in order to support his wife and eight children.
His father enrolled him at the School of Music Juan Morel Campos where Héctor rapidly began to follow his passion for singing. At just fourteen years old, Lavoe became a member of a small band, and at 17, against his father’s will, Héctor moved to New York City in search of the dream.
Living with his sister in The Bronx, like most Puerto Rican immigrants, Lavoe worked in low paying jobs as a painter, a bell hop and a waiter. His life-long friend Roberto Garcia took Lavoe to dance halls and night clubs where he wasted no time in showing people his talents in music. He began to play for the Orchestra of Francisco “Kako” Bastar, the New Yorker Band, and with sextets at local night clubs to try to make himself known.
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In 1966, Johnny Pacheco, the co-founder of Fania All Stars, heard Lavoe sing at the Havana San Juan night club on Broadway. Pacheco introduced Lavoe to Willie Colon and together they released their first album as a duo called El Malo (The Bad Guy). Their songs brought to life what it was like to be a Nuyorican, and their love for the island they called home, revolutionizing the genre for seven years from 1967 to 1974. During this time period, they released their albums: La Gran Fuga (The Big Break), Cosa Nuestra (Our Thing), Lo Mato (They Killed Him) and two volumes of Asalto Navideño to name some, where songs like “Che-Che-Colé” that resonates the African roots of a festive and religious tradition and rhythms of Latin America from their African ancestors, Canto A Borinquén, Calle Luna Calle Sol, La Murga, El Día de mi Suerte, Aires de Navidad, and the list keeps going on, are still heard and dance to all over the world.
“Lavoe possessed what the greatest voices in history have - a combination of perfect timing, the technical finesse involved in singing complex songs and, the greatest gift of all, a tone that pierces through the skin.”
Lavoe possessed what the greatest voices in history have - a combination of perfect timing, the technical finesse involved in singing complex songs and, the greatest gift of all, a tone that pierces through the skin. This gift, however, reflected the tragedy and pain that sent Lavoe plummetting into darkness in the late 1980s, as he dealt with drug addiction and the tragic death of his son, from which he could never recover. He attempted suicide by jumping from the tenth floor of a hotel in Puerto Rico, survived the accident but was left incapable of singing.
1974, Lavoe went solo and joined the Fania All Stars on a world tour that included performing at the famous Zaire concert in 1974, a year later at Yankee Stadium, and eventually in Japan. His solo albums La Voz, De Ti Depende, and Comedia included songs like El Cantante, Periódico de Ayer and Todo Tiene su Final that became the most famous salsa songs of all time.
In the end, it was the dreadful AIDS epidemic that took Héctor from the world on June 29, 1993. After his death, Lavoe’s contributions to the world of Latin music have been kept alive by fans and by a new generation of Salsa artists. His songs are still being heard and movies have been made about his life, the most recent played by Marc Anthony. The legacy left by Héctor Lavoe will for ever be remembered.
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SALSA SPLASH LINE UP
Omar Puente Charanga Jazz Sextet
Internationally renowned for his masterful performances, world class violinist and educator Omar Puente is nothing short of a true virtuoso. Omar moved from his native Havana to the UK in 1997 and has since captivated audiences in Europe, the Middle and Far East, the USA and Africa with his musical prowess, energy and charismatic, larger-than-life personality. His Charanga Jazz Sextet is designed with dance in mind, blending original tunes with fresh arrangements of traditional Cuban favourites, adding the influences of African rhythm and modern jazz to the mix. The line-up features trumpet, timbales, bass, piano and congas and never fails to get everyone up on their feet moving to Cuban, Charanga and Salsa rhythms.
Throughout his career Omar has performed at many distinguished venues such as Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club and the Royal Albert Hall, supporting and sharing the stage with a whole host of other esteemed stars including Tito Puente, John Williams, Nigel Kennedy, Courtney Pine and Wynton Marsalis. His many accolades include The 2018 Lukas Award for Classical, Jazz or Folk Act of the Year, a top 10 placement for Songlines Magazine’s Album of the Year and a nomination for Best Jazz Soloist in the 21st International CubaDisco Fair in 2017.
Dorance Lorza & Sexteto Café
Colombian bandleader Dorance Lorza is also one of the world’s leading salsa vibraphonists, awarded a special honour from the City of Cali for spreading the heritage of ‘salsa con vibes’ abroad. Lorza had an impressive reputation in Colombia as an arranger, composer and producer before arriving in the UK. Since then he’s recorded 5 excellent albums with his Sexteto Café, won his first LUKAS award in 2014, before going on to win more international awards, and a 2018 LUKAS for Best Tropical Album for ‘Tributo a Cali’
Sarabanda
Sarabanda is a collective playing Cuban son and vibrant salsa with a serious groove. Award-winning pianist and one of the UK’s most successful Latin bandleaders, Sara McGuinness heads up a powerful sextet of wonderful Latin musicians with a big sound - including bassist Jimmy Martinez and percussionists Emeris Solis, Bill Bland and Alejandro Martinez. Their passionate delivery of exuberant arrangements of both original material and Cuban classics, reflects love of the music they play.
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salsa splash line up
May - June
Sun 19 May
Fiesta Rociera Family event
Join us to celebrate one of the most popular Spanish Parties at SABOR, London’s authentic Hispanic Family Day Out
Location: Vauxhall Beer Garden, SW8 1SP
Fri 24 May
Orquesta Guayacan Live Music
Orquesta Guayacan is without a doubt one of Colombia’s greatest musical institutions, and are coming to London to present one of the best salsa concerts of the year!. Celebrating 35 years! Guayacan Orquesta has been one of the most prolific, consistent, and best bands to come out of Cali, Colombia – a remarkable achievement considering the city is considered the world’s capital of salsa!
Location: Electric Brixton
Sat 25 May
Viva 100 Clubbing
Celebrating Viva Reggaeton’s 100th event. After over 2 years of changing the London Reggaeton scene bringing the UK’s biggest weekly Reggaeton party to the capital, Viva are going all out to celebrate their 100th edition! Expect Special Guest DJs, on stage Performances, Dancers, Decor + more!
Location: Lightbox, Lambeth Place, SW8 1SP
Sun 26 May
Dominican Dia de la Madre Around Town
Sabor returns with its muchloved annual Dominican Mothers Day party, bringing the best Dominican Food, Music and Culture you can find this side of the Atlantic. Treat your mum to a party and let the rhythm transport the entire family to the streets of the Latin Caribbean.
Location: Vauxhall Beer Garden, SW8 1SP
Sat 1 June
Reggaeton vs Afrobeats Clubbing
Viva Reggaeton brings back one of their most popular themes with a sound clash between your 2 favourite genres, Reggaeton and Afrobeats!
Location: Vauxhall Beer Garden, Lambeth SW8 1SP
Sun 2 June
Salsa in the Garden Around Town
London’s best open air Salsa party returns for its first Summer edition! Enjoy the best Salsa under the warm summer sun with a cocktail... What more could you want?
Location: Vauxhall Beer Garden, Lambeth SW8 1SP
4-15 June
Flamenco Festival 2024 Dance show
Flamenco was made to be felt. Be a part of the love, pain
and heat at Sadler’s Wells this summer with a roster of flamenco’s rising stars and lasting legends. Between 4 – 15 June the summer of passion begins...
Location: Sadlers Wells, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN
Wed 5 June
J Balvin
Live Music
Global superstar and multiLatin GRAMMY Award winner J Balvin, hits London as part of his highly-anticipated 2024 headlining “Que Bueno Volver a Verte” International Tour. Colombia’s super-popular reggaeton artist and entrepreneur has multiple wins across Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards, Latin GRAMMY’s and many others and is one of the best-selling Latin music artists with sales of more than 35 million records worldwide.
Location: 02 Arena
Sat 8 June
LatinoLife’s Urban Sound Clash
Free Festival
The battle begins for the hearts of London’s dancehungry community, as the electrifying beats of reggaetón face off the rhythmic pulses of baile funk in a ground-breaking musical battle at Lambeth Country Show’s Latino Life Stage. For the first time in the UK, these two powerhouse genres, both widely celebrated in clubs around the globe for their vibrant energy and deep cultural roots, compete head-to-head in a sound clash festival format.
Location: Lambeth Country Show, Brockwell Park, SE24 0NG
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Sat 8 June
Lambeth Country Show
Afterparty Cubbing
The OFFICIAL afterparty to South London’s best summer festival. With Special guest DJs and the summer festival vibe, this one is not to be missed!
Location: Lightbox, Lambeth Place, SW8 1SP
Wed 12 June
With roots in El Monte, California, and Richmond, Virginia, Angélica Garcia’s sound formed as an amalgamation of a bicoastal Southern experience. As Garcia moved locations, her songs followed suit, sometimes switching from noise pop to the textured polyrhythms of Latin America and vocal production inspired by ambient electronica. She
June
Prepare to be transported to the streets of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Havana, Cuba and Cali, Colombia at Salsa Splash, a celebration of rhythm, dance, and culture. Featuring a stellar lineup of world-class performers, including Rene Alvarez and his band paying tribute to Hector Lavoe, the Omar Puente Charanga Jazz Sextet, Dorance Lorza & Sexteto Café and Sarabanda. Hosts Yanet Fuentes and Edwin “Salsa” will be accompanying you through this vibrant fiesta along with top DJs spinning sizzling Latin beats throughout the day.
Location: Lambeth Country Show, Brockwell Park, Brixton, SE24 0NG
has previously been featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk, NY Times year-end lists, and on Barack Obama’s annual best-of music list for her song “Jícama.”
Location: The Lower Third, 26 Denmark St, WC2H 8NJ
Sat 15 June
Reggaeton Plus Cubbing
Bringing together Reggaeton and Afro Club rhythms, from Afrobeats to Soca, Dancehall to R&B, if you like to wine, this one’s for you!
Location: Lightbox, Lambeth Place, SW8 1SP
18 & 19 June
Karol G
Live Music
Multi-platinum global recording artist, an international pop culture icon, and a leading Latin Music powerhouse, Karol G hits London for the first time. Known for her ability to shatter records, Karol became the first female artist to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 with a Spanish-language album, broke the all-time record for the biggest female Latin album by first-day streams on Apple Music, and had the biggest debut ever for a Spanish Album by a Female Latin Artist on Spotify. She is the most watched Artist of 2023 on YouTube excluding features with over 990 Million Views this year alone.
Location: 02 Arena
Sat 22 June
A Viva Football special, join us for a night of Latin fun, watching the Copa America then dancing to Reggaeton all night long, VAMOSSS!
Location: Lightbox, Lambeth Place, SW8 1SP
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Angelica Garcia Live Music
Sun
LatinoLife’s Salsa Splash Free Festival
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Copa America Special Cubbing
June - July
Sun 23 June
After selling out 2 River Plate stadiums shows in December, and having sold out his first show at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Duki makes his UK debut, proudly representing the sound of new Urban Argentine in the world.
Location: O2 Forum Kentish Town
Fri 28 June
Muisc
Global superstar Anitta is bringing her Baile Funk Experience Tour. The show is a unique funk experience giving fans an authentic taste of the iconic funk parties in Brazil.
Location: O2 Forum Kentish Town
Sat 29 June
Copa America Special Round 2 Live Muisc
Round 2 of the Viva Football specials, join us for a night of Latin fun, watching the Copa America then dancing to
Reggaeton all night long, VAMOSSS!
Location: Lightbox, Lambeth Place, SW8 1SP
9 July
Brazilian superstar and drag queen Gloria Groove brings her iconic brand of Brazilianity in a fun-filled performance of glam, diversity, and celebration. Gloria Groove will take her fans on a journey through her entire career, including hits such as ‘VERMELHO’, ‘BONEKINHA’ and ‘A QUEDA’, as well as her personal story.
Location: Electric Ballroom, Brixton
13 July
Considered the most influential Latin rock band in the world, MANÁ began in 1986 when four friends from Guadalajara, Mexico came together to fuse new rock sounds with Latin and Caribbean rhythms. The group includes Fher Olvera as lead singer, guitar-
ist, and main composer; Alex González on drums, Sergio Vallín on lead guitar, and Juan Calleros on bass. The group released their first album, Falta Amor in 1990. In 1992, they released ¿Dónde Jugarán los Niños? which became the best-selling Spanish-language rock album of all time.
Location: Ovo Arena Wembley
12 July
Mon Laferte Live Music
Inside Norma Monserrat Bustamante Laferte also lives the Latin American singer-songwriter and visual artist Mon Laferte. A creator who, in her music, moves naturally in a wide variety of genres. From musical influences that she cultivated since she was a teenager in her native Viña del Mar, to what she has learned from Mexico, her second home since 2007, where she released her first albums independently. Throughout her career Mon has performed at major venues such as Coachella, Vive Latino, Viña del Mar, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Hollywood Bowl, Lincoln Center, Movistar Arena Chile, Movistar Arena Argentina and the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City, to name a few.
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Duki Live Music
Anitta Live
Gloria Groove Live Music
Maná Live Muisc
July
She has earned four Latin GRAMMY® and two GRAMMY® nominations. Selling millions of albums worldwide, Mon Laferte has already established herself as one of the most important singer-songwriters of our time.
Location: Electric Brixton
Sat 13 July
Viva Summer Party Clubbing
The Viva summer parties are always a hit with 3 rooms of music and the massive outdoor cocktail garden, it’s always the vibe you need!
Location: Lightbox, Lambeth Place, SW8 1SP
Sat 20 July
Latino Life in the Park Afterparty Clubbing
The OFFICIAL afterparty to London and the UK’s biggest Latino festival. With Special guest DJs, Performers and Dancers, this one will be special!
Location: Lightbox, Lambeth Place, SW8 1SP
Sun 21 July
Colombia Independence Day Around Town
Colombianos Unite! Sabor’s annual Independence day party is one for the diary as we celebrate all things Colombian from Aguardiente to Arepas!
Location: Vauxhall Beer Garden, Vauxhall, SW8 1SP
Sat 27 July
Viva Reggaeton Safaera Clubbing
Bad Bunny Tribute Special! Celebrating the global Reggaeton sensation Bad Bunny, join us and hear all the hits
Saturday 20 July
The UK’s largest Latin music festival returns for its 7th year, this time showering its Latin love over West London. The only British festival to be selected for the European ‘inclusive festival guide’ returns with 5 stages. Main stage celebrates Colombian Independence Day with salsa Jimmy Saa headlining a stellar Colombian lineup. Also with a Party stage, Cuba Linda and Viva Mexico immersive experiences and a VIP stage. Latinolife has developed a reputation for creating unique experiences with quality and diverse artists.
Location: Walpole Park, Ealing W5 Tix @ www.latinolifeinthepark.com
alongside all the usual Viva madness!
Location: Lightbox, Lambeth Place, SW8 1SP
Every Sunday
The Sunday Xperience Clubbing
London’s favourite Latino Sunday Clubnight, in the heart of London, with DJ Jose Luis playing a fiery mix of Reggaeton, RnB, AfroBeats, Baile Funk and Salsa. Classes with celebrity choreographer Richard Marcel start at 7pm with our famous FREE LATIN WARM UP EXTRAVAGANCIA!
Location: Bar Salsa, Charing Cross Road
Sun 28 July
Brazil Family Day Around Town
Celebrating all this Brasileiro, from Feijoado to Funk, our Brazil Special is not to be missed!
Location: Vauxhall Beer Garden, Vauxhall, SW8 1SP
Tue 30 - Wed 31 July
Marcelo D2 Live Music
A standout figure in Brazil’s vibrant music culture, Marcelo D2 has been revolutionising the South American hip-hop scene since the 1990s.
Location: Jazz cafe, Camden NW3
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LatinoLife in the Park Music Festival
