Spiteri heralds a new era for Latin Music in the UK
After collecting a Fellowship Award at this year’s Latin UK Awards (LUKAS) Jorge Spiteri and his Latin Funk Allstars bought the house down with a mesmerising Live show that announced a new era in Latin Music in the UK.
Back in the UK after 30 years and returning to his favourite venue, Jorge Spiteri assembled a new Latin Funk Allstars band that included some of the capital’s premier musicians including Karl Vanden Boscche (Blur), Tony Remy (Annie Lennox), Steve Lewinson (Amy Winehouse), Pete Lewinson (George Michael), Urban Soul Orchestra (Take That) and Roberto Pla. Having been locked in the studio for 4 days, the band played a seamless set of latin-flavoured funk and rock introducing new songs such as ‘Happy’ (Latin version), ‘Comunicate’ and ‘London Calling Boogaloo’ alongside Spiteri’s classic ’Amor’
One of 70’s West London’s more flamboyant musicians, Jorge Spiteri is considered the pioneer of Latin Music in the UK, and his unique Latin rock fusion spawned two UK albums that influenced a generation of pop bands in Latin America.
Award-winning Musician Of The Year Dorance Lorza further boosted the Live entertainment when his Sexteto Cafe outfit played an explosive Fania Records tribute, featuring legendary Salsa and boogaloo classics such as ‘Oye Como Va’ from the iconic New York label. The legendary Fania Records, often known as ‘The Motown of Latin Music’, made superstars out of Latino musicians such as Celia Cruz and Tito Puente and took Latin music to the masses in the 1970s. Its music still dominates salsa clubs all over the world and Fania CEO Michael Rucker flew in to receive the Lifetime Achievement LUKAS award.
Fania CEO Michael Rucker said ”It’s been an incredible night for music and Fania Records. To be honoured in the UK and feel so much love for the label has been amazing and it’s great to see the younger generation enjoying these songs”
Renowned Venezuelan pianist Clara Rodríguez, won Classical Act of the Year and other musical winners on the night included Urban Act Of The Year – Mike Kalle (Rapper); International Artist Of The Year – Juan Luis Guerra and Romeo Santos (Two mega artists representing Dominican Republic); Tropical Act Of The Year -Robin del Castillo (Cali born singer) and Alternative Act Of The Year – Fernando’s Kitchen.
Britain’s most popular Latin personalities from the worlds of music, sports, dance, art, business and television enjoyed the musical spectacular including Human rights activist, Bianca Jagger, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Vocalist Of The Year award winner, Gerónimo Rauch, from “The Phantom of the Opera” and the legendary Spurs players Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa and former Spanish & Barcelona FC star, Gaizka Mendietta.
And the music doesn’t stop as Argentine Gerónimo Rauch, (The Phantom of the Opera) lifted Vocalist Of The Year . Beginning his career as a winner of Argentina’s Pop Idol, Geronimo became a megastar as a member of the country’s biggest ever boy band, Mambrú. Relocating to London Rauch has gone on to play three of the biggest male roles in musical theatre – Phantom, Valjean in Les Miserables and Jesus.
Camden Town based music school SSR, event sponsors for the second year running, will also be offering the winners the chance to recording at their Jamestown Road Studios over the coming summer months.
Air Europa LUKAS Winners 2015
Vocalist of the Year – Gerónimo Rauch (Argentina)
Lifetime Achievement Award – Fania Records (USA)
Fellowship Award Winner – Jorge Spiteri (Venezuelan rock latin pioneer)
Musician of the Year, – Dorance Lorza (Colombia)
Classical Act of the Year – Clara Rodríguez (Venezuelan pianist)
Urban Act Of The Year – Mike Kalle (Rapper)
International Artist Of The Year – Juan Luis Guerra and Romeo Santos (Two mega artists representing Dominican Republic)
Tropical Act Of The Year -Robin del Castillo (Cali born singer)
Alternative Act Of The Year – Fernando’s Kitchen
Sports Personality of the Year – Enner Valencia (Ecuador)
Tropical DJ Of The Year – Fernando KBson
Crossover DJ Of The Year – DJ Luigi Sanchez
The Air Europa LUKAS (Latin UK awards) is the annual award ceremony that recognises the contributions of one million Latin American, Spanish and Portuguese residents to British life. Now in its fourth year, it’s the most media-covered Latin event in the UK, and organised by www.Latinolife.co.uk, the N°1 magazine for Latin & Spanish lifestyle in the UK.