Influenced by the musical styles of the great Cuban charanga bands such as Arcaño y sus Maravillas, and Las Estrellas Cubanas, and by Cuban jazz pianists Frank Emilio Flynn and Pedro “Peruchin” Justiz, and also a nod to 19th & 20th century Cuban classical piano composers such as Ignacio Cervantes and Manuel Saumell, Live Latin Band Cafecito plays an exhilarating pre-salsa style of music still heard on the streets of old Havana today — the music of the orquesta francesa - cha cha chas, danzones and boleros plus Latin jazz, which you will have heard a flavour of in the Buena Vista Social Club recordings.
Their repertoire includes new arrangements of Cuban classics such as Frenesí, new takes on standards as diverse as John Coltrane's Giant Steps, Sidney Bechet's Petite Fleur and the Brazilian bossa nova Recado, as well as original compositions such as the danzón El Gato Que Tiene Hambre and El Aciano by Cafecito’s pianist, leader and musical director Janet Sherbourne.
".....a great big thank you for the wonderful music at our wedding! The music was just brilliant and we had lots of people say how perfect it was for the day!" - Victoria & John
Perfect for anyone to dance to, for concerts at arts centres or music societies, festivals, jazz clubs, pre-dinner drinks, weddings, parties, corporate events, and Cuban and Latin American themed evenings. This music is ideal for situations where a Live Latin band would be ideal, but a salsa band would be too loud.
Cafecito plays with between five to nine musicians according to the event. The core band is flute, piano, congas, bongos, timbales and double bass. We can perform as a five piece for background music situations, and as a nine piece with three string players for larger venues and concert performances. We have just released our first CD - El Gato! You can buy it as a CD or as mp3s from CD Baby, or direct from us in the UK. Find out more on our CDs page.
Two UK TV ads currently feature music played by latin band Cafecito and composed by bandleader, arranger and pianist Janet Sherbourne. Go to our soundclips page to view these ads.
Powered by
