Salsa Night at Jazz Hastings
VICTORIA KINGHAM
So, forget serious listening and the appreciation of musical innovation, forget that you think Jazz is only for geeks with beards. This Salsa night was an exception, and while not exactly a jazz band, Salsadelic is an established and enthusiastic band with a solid repertoire of well-known Latin classics, an ebullient leader on congas, excellent singers (from Peru and Colombia, via Brighton) and a great beat. Coupled with well-loved tunes (Chan Chan, Oye Come Va, Quizas, Quizas, Quizas are familiar to anyone who has come across the Buena Vista Social Club or Santana or indeed Nat King Cole, and there were many others) this is a band which will always appeal. Moreover, the normally close-packed seats in the EHSAA were cleared at the front to make way for dancing, and there was dancing! Not, it’s true, the true partner-based Salsa which, if a couple do it well, is one of the most compelling and beautiful dances to watch. Nevertheless at least a dozen women of all ages (and a few men) got up and danced all night with energy and panache. The gig began promptly and professionally and the audience and dancers thoroughly enjoyed it.
Salsadelic are on facebook at facebook.com/Salsadelic. They played at Jazz Hastings on 5 August. Jazzhastings.co.uk. Next up: the Andy Panayi Quartet, Tuesday 2 September
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