Roberto Pla's Biography

Roberto Pla was born in Barranquilla on Colombia's northern Atlantic coast, an area rich in music and folklore. As a boy Roberto studied percusion with Pompelio Rodriguez, at that time Colombia's greatest percussionist.

In 1964 he left Barranquilla to study music at the National University of Bogota, and while he was there he became an active session musician playing with the best bands in his country including Los Ocho de Colombia. From 1968-78 he played drum kit with Orquesta Lucho Bermudez, Colombia's leading big band, with whom he toured Latin America and the States, recorded numerous albums and appeared weekly on Colombian TV.

In 1979 Roberto left Colombia for New York where he became a busy salsa session percusionist working with amongst others Orquesta La Tradicion in 1980 the atractions of the Europan pop scene drew him to London where he joined the jazz-fusion band Cayenne, and Latin-funkesters Gonzalez (World Tour).

1982 he was touring the world with pop megastars Boney M. since that Roberto has been resident in the U.K. Artist that he has played and toured with include Joe Strummer (Ex Clash) with whom he featured in the French film 'I Hired a Contract Killer' Caribbean soca star Arrow (Europe&U.S. tour) Spanish pop band Radio Futura, Japanese duo The Frank Chickens, and rock heavyweights Motorhead (with whom he featured in the film 'Eat the Rich'.)

In 1987 he toured Japan and the far east with the legendary Slim Gaillard, and performed in North Africa with Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodriguez. He has also recorded for Kate Bush and M. People.

In 1991-2 he toured Europe and America with Virgin Records-signed pop singer Sonny Southon.

In summer '93 he recorded and toured Europe with Bluenote-signed rap act US3.

He has also toured Europe and America with legendary percussionist Carlos 'Patato' Valdez and Fania Allstars vocalist Adalberto Santiago, Azuquita and Tito Allen. Recently (98) toured Europe with Sidestepper and the Nuyorican Poets.

In November '99 Roberto toured China with Trevor Watts' Moire Music.

In September/October 2000 Roberto toured Canada, USA, Central and South America, and Caribbean Islands with Trevor Watts.

Roberto was a founder member of the UK's first salsa band Valdez.

Cofounder of U.K. Salsa band Sonido de Londres who recorded two albums. In 1988 Roberto founded his own 12 piece all-star band the Roberto Pla Latin Ensemble who have numerous European Festival and TV appearances, and in 1990 released 'Cumbia Dominique'.

In 1991 they released a track in the 'Freedom From Debt' CD (WDM Records) In 1993 they receive a bursary from the Arts Council of Great Britain to tour the U.K. and in the Autumn 93 they toured the far east.

1995 recorded a follow-up CD for Tumi Records. And a further release In Spring 97.

In Spring /96 Roberto's band participated in the Salsa Legends Tour Featuring among others the great Azuquita on Vocals as special guest Plus Alfredo Rodriguez. on Piano Justo Almario on Tenor Saxophone (Ex Eddie Palmieri Orch. & dizzy Gillespie United nations Orchestra) Steve Turre on Trombone.

Sid Gauld (U.K.) - trumpet

Now Lets Meet the Band!

Steve Dowson (U.K.) - trumpet

Paul Jayashina (U.K.) - trumpet

Paul Taylor (U.K.) - trombone

Joe de Jesus (Puerto Rico USA) - trombone

Eddie Rievand (U.K.) - trombone

Peter Wareham (U.K.) - saxes

Elpidio Caicedo (Colombia) - bass

Jose Volga (Spain) - piano

Saty Sinn (Nigeria U.K.) - percussion

Vancho Monoeilovich (Yugoslavia) - percussion

Dave Pattman (U.K.) - percussion

Oswaldo Chacon (Cuba) - vocals

Claudia Marcela (Colombia) - vocals

Robin del Castillo (Colombia) - vocals

The indivudual curriculum vitae of this particular group of musicians is quite extraordinary. Each of them has performed, recorded or toured with artists including Tom Jones, Elton John, Boy George, Jerry Lee Lewis, Boney M, Joe Strummer, Sierra Maestra, Adalberto Y Su Son (Cuba), Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, David Byrne, Willie Colon, Alfredo De La Fe, Lucho Bermudez, The National Youth Orchestra of Great B

Contact Roberto Pla & his Latin Ensemble

Telephone Mobile: 078 3398 4528

Land Line: 00 44 208 472 8712

email: domroome@hotmail.com

To dance to the best salsa, reggaeton, merengue, r&b & Latin hip hop, Roberto Pla reccommends Barrio Latino clubnight every Tuesday at Bar Rumba, 36 Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1.

For further info: 07762 890727 or salsaboogie4@btinternet.com (www.barrumba.co.uk)