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Interview with Will Robinson - Salsa Kingdom Festival |
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Written by JoJo
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Tuesday, 06 May 2008 |
How, why and when did you get into salsa?
December 2007. It was our Christmas Party at Star City Casino and I was with Alex from Check The Diary and Mark from Park Hall and we were discussing what would be the big event of 2008. I thought we should do some research into salsa which we did in January and February, and everything started there.
Who first taught you to dance salsa?
Not had my first lesson, but Maria Torres showed me a few moves at the Celia Cruz party in New York last week. Wish I had time to learn!
Did you have any dance training prior to salsa?
No.
Tell me a little about the Salsa Kingdom Festival. When, why and how was it set up?
We started in March 2008. The name comes from “Salsa” and “Magical Kingdom” at Camelot. I hooked up with Henry Knowles in NYC and appreciated his extensive knowledge of Latin music. We set out to put a high quality event on which would be great fun for everyone.
What do you hope to achieve by organising this Festival?
I hope to achieve a positive bank balance of course, but adding dance to music is new to me and I am looking forward to it. There are some amazing dancers out there and I hope to see them at Salsa Kingdom.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Music, it’s the best remedy for everything.
Who do you admire?
Andrea Bocelli - he is an amazing individual and has a great voice.
What’s your favourite track at the moment?
Have to say Celia Cruz ‘La Negra Tiene Tumbao’ - I am listening to more and more of her work.
What are your all time favourite tracks?
I find everyone changes their favourite tunes as they get older. Lyrically I love ‘High Fences’ by Daniel Ryan who I work with. For Melody it would probably be a 90's track of Whitney Houston's produced by Clive Davis, never have I heard so many timeless songs from one album.
What are your favourite albums?
The Greatest Hits of Leo Sayer- the man is a pure genius and one has to admire his craft.
What was the last CD you bought?
Good question, can't remember - the last music I downloaded was all Celia Cruz.
What music is in your car/cd player/tape player at the moment?
Pico Swing by New Swing Sextet, brilliant!!
Who are your favourite artists?
Billy Preston, James Brown, Whitney Houston and Luther Vandross.
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?
Life would be very different, would be self employed - don’t know what.
Tell me something most people wouldn’t know about you?
My friends know everything - I work long hours!
What’s your all time favourite salsa club/event that you have played/taught/danced?
La Luguana, NYC.
What has been your most memorable moment?
Without question, sat next to Cissy Houston front row at a Whitney gig, watching daughter sing to her mum.
Have you had any embarrassing/nightmare-ish moments in salsa?
Maybe my first time on the dance floor will be the one!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Surprised we were billed by the Media as the biggest salsa festival in the UK. That’s a billing to live up to!!
www.salsakingdom.co.uk
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