How, why and when did you get into salsa?
I first got into salsa in 1995. I was asked to go out with a group after a show - someone suggested a Salsa night and I told them they’ve gotta be kidding! Anyway, against my better judgement, the group (which included one Dave Emanuel) ended up at the old ‘Tramps’ nightclub on Broad Street, Birmingham.
As any salsero will tell you, it is an understatement to say I was instantly smitten. I saw a couple on the dance floor and thought, “I’ve gotta do that!” The rest is history so to speak.
Who first taught you to dance salsa?
After getting the bug, Dave, myself and a few others went for lessons at the Dance Exchange in Birmingham where I can honestly say that I will be forever indebted to my 2 dance teachers, Maverick ‘The Godfather of Birmingham Salsa’ Logan and Andrea ‘words cannot describe her dancing and choreographic talent’ Stewart (who has now established herself as a rock in the London salsa community since then, with Duende Dance Company).
The ‘real’ lessons in the do’s & don’ts happened on the dance floor from 9pm ‘til 3am on a Friday night at XL’s nightclub (Birmingham), Saturdays at Oscars & Heroes (Birmingham), and Sundays at Villa Stephanos (London) just to name a few. I also had regular trips to Leeds, Manchester and Pontins Weekenders. I was then taught Rueda by a combination of Jacqui McGann, Luisa Serreno-Real and Edlin Josephs (Simply Salsa) when I joined his then Salsa Maniacs dance troupe.
I now do my bit for the Salsa community by teaching 4-5 times a week.
Did you have any dance training prior to salsa?
No training par se, but – giving my age away – I used to go out a lot in my youth to the R&B, Hip-Hop & Jazz-Funk all-dayers of the 80’s when music was music!! I suppose that, and being bought up with the various other sounds of the Caribbean were the foundations of my rhythm and timing.
Tell me a little about your company. When, why and how was it set up?
I use the name ‘Vamos a Bailar’ to promote myself if and when needed for corporate do’s and private tuition. It simply translates to ‘Let’s Dance’.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Any one who has taught me, so Maverick, Andrea and Elder Sanchez plus those whose lessons I have had the fortune of undertaking – Robert Charlemagne, Special ‘T’ and Mushi & Emma to name a few.
Jacqui, my partner, who I met thru’ salsa. She said ‘no thanx’ when I first asked her to dance, but she soon found out I’ve got steely determination. She has always been there for me thru’ the salsa rollercoaster of the last 12 years.
The fantastic and varied musicians and producers out there. Any one who smiles whilst they are dancing. Students who say thanx at the end of my lessons.
Any good Latin Jazzy track or any track with good breaks for dips and lifts. Basically, any track that allows you to feel and use it – and any dancer that does.
As far as DJ’s are concerned, the one’s that have always kept me on the floor are:-
Maverick Logan – Salsa Fabulous (Birmingham)
Lubi Jovanovich – (Leeds)
Henry Vina – Salsa King (Birmingham) especially when in a jazzy mood
Dave – Villa Stephanos (London) back in the days when I started out
‘The Duke’ – don’t know where he’s based
…...and those who have inspired me on the dance floor in the past, but I don’t get out much these days beyond the venues I teach at.
Who do you admire?
Any one who is prepared to stick their neck on the line and dance like no-one’s watching.
Any dancer that demonstrates that they feel and use the track they are dancing to. Any teacher who can break down and teach both the leads and followers roles in a lesson.
Anyone who has taken the time out to choreograph a routine for a show, demonstration or competition.
Any DJ who has the ability to keep the dance floor full and vibrant all night.
Alex Wilson – you make me proud to be a fellow Midlander. How can someone born and grown in the UK produce such wicked Latin sounds & music? Shows what you can do when you study and know your stuff – irrelevant of your background.
What’s your favourite track at the moment?
Ain’t Nobody – Alex Wilson featuring Aquilla Fearon
Delta Mambo – Cache
Mambo City – Latin Vibe
Song for my Grandchild – Papo Lucca
Se Forma le Rumbatela – Grupo Mandinga
Suelta el Bongo – La33
La Lucha – Mamborama
Ritmo pa Borinquen – Latin Vibe
La Llave – Latin Vibe
Marie Laveaux – Cubanismo
Get it On – Eurocuban Project
What are your all time favourite tracks?
Sambrosita – La Gran Banda De Venezuela (Thanx to Maverick Logan)
A Night in Tunisia – Snowboy and The Latin Selection
Sonito Bestial – Richie Ray
Sunny – Samos Amigos
This Moment – Azabache
Montuno Street - Azabache
Ran Kan Kan – Tito Puente (Salsa Kings performance track)
….and at the risk of upsetting a few ‘purists’, the following ‘English’ tracks:-
Lovely Day - Rudy B
Ain’t No Sunshine – The Beaujolais Band
What You Won’t do for Love – Ricky González
Telephone – Jovenes del Barrio
Lady – Johnny Ray + Salsa Con Clase
Sealed with a Kiss – David Cedeño
I could go on, but we’ll be here all day!!
What are your favourite albums?
I can imagine a lot of people giving the same answers here, but here goes:-
Dance City – Eddie Torres
Azabache - Azabache
Herencia Africana – Yuri Buenaventura
Blended – Cache (Thanx to JoJo of Club Candela - Shrewsbury)
R&B Latino – Alex Wilson
Inglaterra – Alex Wilson
El Buen Camino – Orlando Poleo
Oasis – Ricky González (Thanx to Henry Vina)
Los Soneros Del Barrio – Siguiendo LA Tradicion (Thanx to Michael ’Potty’ Pottinger)
El Ray Del Timbal – Tito Puente
(and too many others to mention)
Again, the list goes on…………
What was the last CD you bought?
The Biggest Ragga DanceHall Anthems - Compilation
Version - Mark Ronson
Last salsa CD was Alex Wilson’s ‘Inglaterra’
What music is in your car/cd player/tape player at the moment?
Love Jones – The movie soundtrack
Old Skool 80’s Grooves
and some of my Jazz Funk/Fusion classics
Who are your favourite artists?
Tito Puente, Azabache, Alex Wilson, Snowboy, Quinto Mayor, Celia Cruz, Lebron Bros, Victor Hugo, Victor Manuelle, La33, Eddie Palmieri, Grupo Gale, Orlando ‘Maraca’ Valle, Habana Express, Orquesta Tabaco Y Ron, India, Los Van Van, Oscar D’Leon, Willie Colon, Gilberto Santa Rosa.
Once again, the list is endless………… and I must take this opportunity to thank Henry Vina for the endless hours he has spent educating me in and supplying me with my Latin music collection. Thanx Henry.
If you were not a successful Promoter/Teacher/DJ, what would you be doing instead? Or if you also have a full-time job, what do you do?
I’d have been a movie star by now – yeah, dream on son!
Seriously, my background is in Sales and most recently, Recruitment.
If I hadn’t taken up salsa, it would have been Tap. I recently got some tap shoes, 12 years later, so Nicholas Bros, Gregory Hines & Sammy Davis Jnr better watch out, ‘cos I’ll be nicking their moves.
Tell me something most people wouldn’t know about you?
I’m shy!!
What’s your all time favourite salsa club/event that you have played/taught/danced?
You won’t believe this answer, but ………too many to mention.
I honestly cannot think of one that stands out above all my favourites, but I have to mention the fantastic nights at XL’s in the early days – Thanx Mav, and the early days of the Salsa King troupe with the boyz (Dave, Henry, Phil, Rohan, then Keefe, Mike, Wes) and girlz (Jacqs, Sarah, Luisa, Rosa, Julia, Val) when we first put the routines together.
What has been your most memorable moment?
Performing at the G8 Summit.
Dancing with Eddie Palmieri.
Dancing with Orlando ‘Maraca’ Valle who gave me a signed copy of his CD album inscribing ‘Para el gran bailador Paul de MARACA’ on the front cover.
Performing at numerous Pontins Weekender events.
Performing at numerous Latin American/Salsa festivals.
….and not forgetting the numerous places I have taught in. If I have taught you over the years, thanx for making me ‘keep it real’.
Have you had any embarrassing/nightmare-ish moments in salsa?
Sometimes, I just cannot believe that people hire me/us to teach at their wedding. Fun though it can be, it can be a little nightmare-ish (but hilarious) when the guests have had a wee too many concoctions throughout the day.
If you’ve been dancing as long as I have, you have been thru’ the inevitable female being let down by their glamorous, but skimpy outfit!!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
An old wise proverb advises ‘What the mind harbours, the body manifests’.
My translation and advice is ‘If you think you can, you will’, and the opposite doesn’t bear thinking about!!
Always do the best you can, work on your timing and listen to the music until it flows thru’ your veins, and to finish with one last cliché:-
‘Dance like nobody’s watching’
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