Septeto Siboney was the first 'Septeto Típico Cubano', or traditional Cuban septet‚ to be formed in the UK to play Cuban Son - the essential Afro-Cuban dance music in which plaintive and captivating melodies from harmonised vocals and Trumpet rise above the combined rhythms of upright Bass, Bongos, Maracas, Claves, Acoustic guitar, and the insistent ‘montuno’ of the ‘Tres’.
Siboney provide a winning formula since they perform a music that Salsa dancers can enjoy, but, unlike slicker Salsa music, it's informality and earthiness encourages non-Salsa dancers, young and old, to get on their feet whether they feel they know the ‘right moves’ or not. For this reason the band is very popular at private parties and weddings, as well as dedicated Salsa clubs.
Septeto Siboney was the first “Septeto Típico Cubano”, or traditional Cuban septet‚ to be formed in the UK to play Cuban Son - the essential Afro-Cuban dance music in which plaintive and captivating melodies from harmonised vocals and Trumpet rise above the combined rhythms of upright Bass, Bongos, Maracas, Claves, Acoustic guitar, and the insistent ‘montuno’ of the ‘Tres’ (a uniquely Cuban type of guitar with its distinct trinity of double strings).
Son first appeared in the 1920’s and was the first Cuban music to fuse African and Spanish musical traditions equally. Tunes like ‘Manicero’(The Peanut Vendor‚) had become international hits by the 1930’s, and, influenced by the instrumentation and harmonies of US Big Band Jazz, the piano replaced the thick‚ combined rhythms of Guitar and Tres, and brass section work became the focus of attention, for example; Mambo, Cha cha cha, and, by the 1970’s, Salsa music.
The band's origins lie in 1989, however there were not enough musicians in London to provide the authentic instrumentation required until 1997. Since then, the worldwide success of the Buena Vista social club and related CDs has brought the charm of Cuban son to the attention of many millions of music lovers.
Septeto Siboney, with it’s rhythm-orientated instrumentation, and approach, plays primarily 'danceable' music whose aim is not merely to recreate the classic 'Septeto sound' but to fully explore the spontaneity that son allows - to present the songs in their traditional form, but later on in the songs to add our own (often improvised, but always harmonised!) choruses, always giving the lead singer (or 'sonero') something fresh and challenging to inspire his own 'improvisaciones'.
This has proven to be a winning formula since it provides a music that salsa dancers can enjoy, but, unlike slicker Salsa music, it's informality and earthiness encourages non salsa dancers, young and old, to get on their feet whether they feel they know the ‘right moves’ or not. For this reason the band is very popular at private parties and weddings, as well as dedicated Salsa clubs.
Moreover, the band can tailor its sets to the needs of any audience with its now extensive and varied repertoire ranging from the rural Guajira (e.g.’Guantanamera’) and romantic Bolero-Son to the Son-Pregón (a style inspired by the calls of the street sellers- eg.‘Manicero’) and the exciting uptempo, Rumba Son.
In the 13 years since 1997, the band has played many prestigious gigs; supporting Compay Segundo, Eliades Ochoa & Cuarteto Patria, and the New York Salsa All-Stars.
They have played at the Barbican Centre 'Festival de Cuba' in 1999, and at the well established Morecambe Worldbeat Festival in 2001.
Septeto Siboney consists of seven of London’s top musicians involved in Latin music.
7 Piece, variable
All the traditional Buena Vista Cuban classics...
In the 13 years since 1997, the band has played many prestigious gigs; supporting Compay Segundo, Eliades Ochoa & Cuarteto Patria, and the New York Salsa All-Stars.
They have played at the Barbican Centre 'Festival de Cuba' in 1999, and at the well established Morecambe Worldbeat Festival in 2001.
2 x 45 mins
Please Note: The fees indicated below are approximate and based on a central location for each county. They are intended to provide a rough guide only and exact quotes can only be given once the date and exact location of your event have been provided.
East
- Cambridgeshire - £1,035.00
- Huntingdonshire - £1,035.00
- Norfolk - £1,150.00
- Suffolk - £1,035.00
Mid Wales
- Cardiganshire - £1,380.00
- Montgomeryshire - £1,380.00
- Powys - £1,380.00
- Radnorshire - £1,380.00
Midlands
- Derbyshire - £1,610.00
- Gloucestershire - £1,610.00
- Hereford and Worcester - £1,610.00
- Herefordshire - £1,610.00
- Leicestershire - £1,610.00
- Lincolnshire - £1,610.00
- Northamptonshire - £1,610.00
- Nottinghamshire - £1,610.00
- Rutland - £1,610.00
- Shropshire - £1,610.00
- Staffordshire - £1,610.00
- Warwickshire - £1,610.00
- West Midlands - £1,610.00
- Worcestershire - £1,610.00
North West
- Greater Manchester - £1,610.00
South East
- Bedfordshire - £1,035.00
- Berkshire - £1,035.00
- Buckinghamshire - £1,035.00
- East Sussex - £1,092.50
- Essex - £1,035.00
- Hampshire - £1,150.00
- Hertfordshire - £1,035.00
- Isle of Wight - £1,265.00
- Kent - £1,150.00
- London - £1,006.25
- Middlesex - £1,006.25
- Oxfordshire - £1,092.50
- Surrey - £1,092.50
- Sussex - £1,092.50
- West Sussex - £1,150.00
South Wales
- Dyfed - £1,437.50
- Glamorgan - £1,437.50
- Gwent - £1,437.50
South West
- Avon - £1,552.50
- Devon - £1,610.00
- Dorset - £1,610.00
- Somerset - £1,610.00
- Wiltshire - £1,610.00
