It's Going To Be Hot


Roberto Linares
Roberto Linares Brown, also known as “El Sena”, began his professional life in 1996 as part of several orchestras in Cuba such as Valentín y los 10 del Caribe; then he moved to the capital and became Azúcar Negra’s pianist. In June of 2001 he was the keyboardist of one of the best orchestras in the country: Adalberto Álvarez y su Son, and it was there where he became known as an arranger. He was also singer of the Van Van Band, which was nominated for the Latin Grammy® Awards.

He has been living in Toronto since 2005. He formed his own orchestra in 2007 and recorded his first album: “Que no se pierda la esencia” (“Do not lose the essence”), that includes his own songs. After working in Europe for several months as an independent musician, in 2008 he gathers his band again, continuing the promotion of his album.
  
Son Aché
Toronto has its own Buena Vista Social Club, although they are collectively younger and with a fresh urban vibe and energy. When hearing Son Aché, you can close your eyes for a moment and be magically transported back to the Golden Age of Cuba's Tropicana shows, to the streets of Havana, when life was music and music was life.

Son Aché is a collaboration of some of the top Cuban/Latin musicians in Toronto that began in 1998 with a mutual goal to compose, interpret and perform classic son montuno, the root of contemporary salsa. Their appeal derives from a successful melding of diverse talent, infectious energy, years of combined musical education, knowledge and experience, and the obvious affection for the music they play, a driving and aggressive tumbao giving the group its contemporary urban edge and 'sabor' (flavour).

World-famous musicians stop by when they're in town and join the band in impromptu jam sessions, much to the delight of the audience, among them: Sierra Maestra, the legendary Compay Segundo and Félix Valoy of the Buena Vista Social Club, Pedro Calvo of Los Van Van, Elíades Ochoa from the famed Cuarteto Patria and several members of the Afro-Cuban All-Stars. They have worked with 2001 Grammy® Award Winning Producer Joaquin Betancourt to produce their latest recording, and 1st all original CD titled "¡Aprovéchame...!".
  
Alberto Alberto
Born on November 11, 1972 in Matanzas, Cuba, Alberto Alberto began his musical career at the tender age of 5 when he performed in children’s song festivals both nationally and internationally. After many years of devotion and intense training, Alberto graduated from the vocal studies program in 1992.

Alberto’s professional career began with a big break at the age of 17 by landing a position with the esteemed Cuban group Orquesta Pakasón led by Delio Cardoso. He went on to perform and record with many of Cuba’s finest musicians.

Since moving to Canada in 1999, Alberto Alberto has lead the wave of Cuban musicians who have transformed Canada’s Latin music scene. He has toured internationally with Juno award winner and Grammy® nominee Jane Bunnett, has recorded several albums with Juno award winning pianist Hilario Durán, and regularly joins Latino celebrities such as Oscar De León and the Afro-Cuban All Stars on stage when they visit Toronto.

"Traigo de Todo", an independent production recorded in Canada and Cuba, is Alberto's latest career accomplishment, which was directed by Grammy® Award winner Joaquin Betancourt.

A ‘singers singer’, with great range and dazzling improvisational skills, Alberto Alberto matches his considerable technique with an infectious personality and stage presence, making him the total package of entertainer, composer and gifted artist.
  
Havana Express featuring Rojitas
Havana Express directed by Kiki Martinez is a unique music group that consists of 5 incredible high energy and talented musicians that originate from Cuba and Argentina. They provide the finest live entertainment for all private, corporate and public events in the cities of Toronto, Montreal, Eastern and Western Canada. With their great music, professional vocal work and an array of world rhythms, they get the audience dancing away to their cover and original songs in English, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese making them one of the busiest bands in Toronto.

Besides being an accomplished songwriter with more than 300 songs to his credit, Cuban born Jorge Luis Rojas “ Rojitas ” is singer, director and producer. His skills as a performer saw him become a presenter and host of 3 different programs on Cuban television. There, he also helmed his own radio show.

His talents have also garnered him every national singing award in his native land and 3-year stint as a member of the Latin Grammy® Award Jury. With his own orchestra and as a member of several others, he has successfully toured 19 countries, during which time he mastered every style of music he had the pleasure of interpreting. Rojitas has been a member of the Society of Authors and Composers of Spain (SGAE) since 1995 and today his music can be heard in more than 40 countries around the globe.
  
Carlos Cruz
Carlos Cruz represents the different shapes and colors of the Latin music. This versatile Dominican Republic singer shows us his immense musical and artistic range with his unique voice, spontaneity and musical passion.

His music is already crossing boards with his bachata hit “O él o yo”, produced by Gerardo Días, AKA “el toro”, which has aired in his native Dominican Republic and in the United States.
  
Charles y sus Estrellas
En Canadá, la banda de Charles y sus Estrellas es sinónimo de riqueza cultural y de los ritmos contagiantes de alegría, nostalgia, y romance de la música latina. Este grupo de verdaderos profesionales con larga trayectoria musical hacen que su público disfrute bailando de principio a fin en cada uno de sus shows.
  
Difusión
Formed by Juan, Karim, Ariel, Gabriel and Jonathan, they have appeared in various TV and radio interviews. Their music is played in radio stations such as Miami's El Sol FM, Toronto's CHUM FM, and many others. Difusión had also performed in renowned stages such as Mel Lastman Square, Lula Lounge, and Salsa on St Clair.
  
The Imbayakunas
A tradition in Andean music, they're a tangy integration of cultures in a parade of flutes, charangos and guitars.
  
SBS Band (Banda Super Show)
SBS (Banda Super Show) was founded by his director and singer Alberto Alberto on 2006. Throughout this time, they have been performing a repertoire based on the most popular Latin dance rhythms like salsa, merengue, cumbia, bachata and son, among others. Their members come from important Cuban musical bands such as Adalberto y su Son, Irakere, Los Novels, Klimax and Cubanismo, giving the group a high musical quality.
  
Gypsy
Enriquez López was born and raised in Bolivia. Soon after arriving to Canada, Enriquez started to be recognized as a talented musician and songwriter.In 1999 he founded Gypsy and has always been considered by his audience as a gifted composer. Gypsy's lively energy comes from an astonishing symbiosis of rumba-flamenco rhythms.
  
Trio Los Inolvidables (The Unforgettables)
"The Unforgettables" is a wonderful trio created 7 years ago by Jorge Sánchez, lead voice and guitar, Benny Lozano, second voice and Alvaro Arce third voice, maracas and guiro. The trio is identified for their versatility of Latin American music, playing a variety of genres from Mexican music to tangos from Argentina, to cuecas from Chile, among many others. They also sing in English, Italian and Portuguese. One of the highlights of this band is their vocal harmonization and their different costumes to enhance the occasion
  
Rumba Gypsy
Over the course of the past few years, Rumba Gypsy has established itself on the Toronto music scene. Without commercial distribution, the band has sold over 30,000 copies of its most recent album Viajero (2005), 60,000 copies of its album Flamenco Sur (2002), and 10,000 copies of its first production entitled Rumba G (2000). Most recognized for its originality and presence, Rumba Gypsy is a favorite in Toronto. The public agrees. Rumba Gypsy is an exciting Latin American band that exudes energy and sprit. The band combines the talents of Chilean lead-guitarist José Lamartine and Ecuadorian composer, piano and bass player Diego Solís.
  
Samba Squad
An icon at Salsa on St. Clair, this multi-ethnic blend of energy and rhythmic drums is a massive wave of contagious vibes that delights all publics.
  
Caliente Drum and Danz
This troupe mixes dance with hypnotic pulse and colourful costumes, creating an exciting and vibrating show for the whole family. The rhythms of Caliente Dance Collective create a universal pulse that breaks down barriers to create a unifying mosaic of movement.
  
Dance to Live
Created by a Latin American husband and wife team, both choreograph and dance professionally: Paula since 1990 and José since 1995. They have attended, instructed and performed at various international salsa congresses, and also judge and participate successfully in salsa competitions around the world. Their training also encompasses International Latin Ballroom and Flamenco… one of Paula's passions.
  
Jennifer Aucoin/STEPS Dance Studio
She is a full-time salsa instructor, performer, choreographer and event organizer. She is the founder and director of STEPS Dance Studio in Toronto and has taught workshops in Puerto Rico, Europe, the U.S. and Canada. Jennifer is the organizer of the annual Canada Salsa Congress, the largest salsa congress in Canada, as well as the Canadian Salsa Championships, the first qualifier in Canada for the World Salsa Championships. Jennifer has been part of the judging panel for the World Salsa Championships televised on ESPN for the past three years and has judged competitions in Puerto Rico, Las Vegas, Orlando, Detroit, Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto.
  
Oscar Naranjo/Latin Groove Productions
Oscar Naranjo discovered his passion for Latin dances when he was only 16; he has been performing, teaching, and competing since 1989. He appeared in the dance movie "Take the Lead" starring Antonio Banderas. Oscar has extensive background in dancing salsa, tango, cha cha cha, bachata, meringue, and cumbia. He trained with Argentine Tango World Champion "Fabian Peralta" during his trip to Argentina in Feb. 2007. He was awarded first place in 25 salsa competitions and crowned Vice World Champion at the Miami World Salsa Federation Championships in 2003. Among other important events, he proudly represented Canada in various Congresses around the world. Oscar teaches salsa and other dance forms to kids, teens, and adults, including private lessons, and conducting choreography classes.
  
Salsa for Singles
Betty Colón's Salsa Social Club has created a unique "scene", unlike anything else in big cities. This talented dancer and his team provide fiery performances and provide the audience excellent tips that will help you improve/learn your dance moves!
  
Rhythmic Fire
A showcase of different dances such as hip hop, salsa, bachata, merengue, reggaeton, cha cha, Brazilian samba and folklore from different Latin countries. Not only they dance, but play instruments such as the “Peruvian cajón” and Uruguayan drums. The dancers are between 4 and 23 years old.