A Brief History
BANDA LATINA was formed in 1991, the time of the Lambada and Gipsy Kings, when dancing salsa and merengue was something probably never heard of before in NZ and the Latin American musical phenomena had not yet touched this part of the world. The group initiated its career with a good mix of cumbias and included in their repertoire popular Latin pieces like "La Bamba", "Tequila" and "Tell me cuando" among others. "Banda Latina", which translated to English means Latin Band, increased the richness of their music by incorporating an exotic and lively percussion beat to their songs, and their style evolved progressively through time.

The response was great and locals started to give themselves into the mood of Latin American dancing. The Latin percussion instruments like timbales, bongos, and congas played during their performances and their contagious beat played with energy, along with coordinated dance steps from the musicians, became something inherent to Banda Latina's music. The band adopted styles that were in "vogue" those times in Central America, like "Ritmo Punta" and "toca" and were influenced by Puerto Rican "merengue", and "salsa". The band was also strongly influenced by the "Santana" style which portrays a rocky Latin Jazz fusion, very popular amongst New Zealanders. By then, a few years into the band's career, Banda Latina had performed in Hotels, pubs, restaurants, festivals, Mardi grass, balls and any other places all around New Zealand where the locals wanted something lively and exciting, something "different". And that's what Banda Latina is : energetic, exotic, passionate, in a few words : an unforgettable experience.

The late nineties arrived and with them Latin pop tunes that traveled around the world; "Macarena" with its incomparable swinging steps, the old "Guantanamera" (Dark skin girl from Guantanamo, Cuba) which has even been adapted to rap!, and other songs by the famous "Gipsy Kings". Then , Ricky Martin and his "1,2,3 Maria" and the famous "La vida Loca" (living the crazy life), which are covers that Banda Latina performs in every one of their presentations, as well as their original compositions.

Banda Latina has performed for all kind of audiences: New Zealanders, Filipinos, Indians, Chileans, Iranians, Yugoslavians, and their own: Peruvians. They have performed and entertained thousands at important New Zealand events like the 1996 and 1997 Food & Wine Festival in Devonport-Auckland, the 1999 "Big day out" at Ericsson Stadium, the 1997 Town Clock New year's party in Gisborne where they performed in front of 7000 souls, and the 1998 International Festival of Music at Potters park attended by our Prime Minister Helen Clark, and the 2001 and 2002 Mission Bay Jazz Festival, just to cite some.

They were also present at the 1999, 2000 and 2001 "Christmas Santa Parade" on a float that took them through the heart of Auckland city playing their music for thousands. Now, the local music market is the next horizon for the band.

They are currently a working band in Auckland, New Zealand where more people keep on enjoying and dancing their exotic and fast rhythms and learning more about the Latin American musical art. The current line up of the band now includes an array of Latin percussion instruments (congas, bongos, timbales, drums); light percussion (maracas, cowbell, huiro, clave) and electronic instruments like bass, acoustic and electric lead guitar and keyboards. Their Latin style is rich and varied, a dance band whose repertoire is well varied with a blend of English & Spanish songs and considered to be Modern Latin American, with popular Latin tunes from Bolero and "cha-cha" to salsa, lambada, merengue, famous Latin rock Santana tunes and popular "Spanglish" hits of the moment. Original pieces of the band have a strong flavor of a Latin/Rock Jazz influence with a powerful percussion mix of drums, timbales and congas and complemented by an electric guitar over a background of strings and piano Latin riffs. This style, rich and exotic is what Banda Latina want to deliver to the NZ music market.

The members of Banda Latina are: Eduardo, band leader and musical director, from Lima - Peru, in lead vocals; Jorge, Eduardo's brother from Lima - Peru, a percussionist and Salsa teacher, in the congas and backing vocals; Claire, from NZ, in light percussion and backing vocals; Vuk, from Yugoslavia, in the keyboards; Nemenja, from Yugoslavia in the drums and timbales; Vanja, also from Yugoslavia in lead guitar and accompaniment and Nino, from Yugoslavia in bass guitar.

Banda Latina has just recorded their first CD album with their original compositions and arrangements, which we would like to launch to the NZ music market.

Banda Latina is available for any kind of event, nationally and internationally.

Banda Latina were fantastic last night!!!  Of course our hopeless crew finally started dancing when the guys had only about 20mins left to play but they played a bit longer for us, which was hugely appreciated so please pass on our BIG thanks and tell them we think they’re brilliant!
- Fiona Lindup, AWT New Zealand

"Thank you for Banda Latina..they went down a treat at Life Education Charity Raceday on Saturday. "
- Lance Hutchison, Life Education Trust

Sound and Video Samples
Click on the MP3 soundfiles below to listen to us. Technical hints

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