The London Latin Jazz Festival returns to the Pizza Express Jazz Club, Dean Street, Soho from 29 September to 3 October with a vibrant programme straddling Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and gospel, curated and led by pianist and composer Alex Wilson. Now in its third year the festival has built a sizeable reputation for top flight Latin American artists, imaginative collaborations and rising stars of the UK latin-jazz scene. Opening the festival is a solo performance by Alex Wilson (top left) and an album launch by promising young Cuban pianist and singer Eliane Correa and her En El Aire Project on 29 September. Alex Wilson also plays solo set on 30 September followed by upcoming latin/Afrobeat groove merchants, J-Sonics, featuring singer Grace Rodson (pictured centre).
Wilson’s new group the AfroCuban Gospel Project featuring vocalist Nicky Brown, headline on 1 October while London-based salsa stars, Colombian vibes player Dorance Lorza & Sexteto Café, play on 2 October. The festival’s final show on 3 October, comes from London-based Cuban violinist and composer Omar Puente’s Havana 88 (above right), which features Cuban bassist Felipe Cabrera, who’s previously worked with Gonzalo Rubalcaba, and Grammy award winning Cuban pianist /flautist Oriente Lopez. For more info and tickets visit www.londonlatinjazzfest.com
Eliane Correa and her En El Aire Project on 29 September
J-Sonics, featuring singer Grace Rodson 30 September
AfroCuban Gospel Project featuring vocalist Nicky Brown 1 October
Dorance Lorza & Sexteto Café 2 October
Omar Puente’s Havana 88 3 October
