ROBIN JONES’ LATIN UNDERGROUND

Robin Jones’s Latin Underground was established in 1995 Latin Underground has built a fierce reputation for uncompromising Latin Jazz, fusing the rhythms of Cuba with the harmonies of the bebop era.

They are regular at chelsea’s 606 club, but have also been seen at the Royal Festival Hall Main Stage, The Barbican, Ronnie Scotts, The Jazz Cafe, Pizza Express-Deans Street as well as almost every major jazz festival including: Brecon, Marlborough, Chelsea, Ealing, Southwark, Greenwich and Soho.

The Band is led in partnership by Robin Jones who many consider the godfather of Latin Jazz in the UK and Nick Walker on Saxophone, whose compositions litter the set. Latin Underground features trumpet star Gavin Broom, Chris Kibble on piano, Marc Cecil on Drums and Gerry Hunt on Bass.

“Led by the ebullient Conguero Robin Jones, Latin Underground features some of the brightest stars of the UK Latin music scene” – Ronnie Scotts.

“Gillespie’s Legacy to Latin Jazz was celebrated with a stomping account of his classic Manteca” – John Fordham, The Guardian.

“A world Class Conguero” – Overload

“Godfather of the UK Latin Scene” – Evening Standard.

At Ronnie Scotts 2012

At Hideaway in 2015

Robin Jones

Robin has had a wildly varied career in Latin, Jazz and Pop music. His numerous performing and recording credits include:

Charlie Palmieri (New York/Puerto Rico), Machito (New York/Cuba), Mongo Santamaria (New York/Cuba), Alfredo ‘Chocolate’ Armenteros (Cuba), Alfredo Rodrigues (Cuba), Tony Evora (Cuba), Maria Lerena (Cuba), Eumir Deodato (Brazil), Gilberto Gil (Brazil), Samba School GR Mocindade Independente de Padre Miguel (Brazil), Brazilian spectacular ‘Brazil Tropical’, Sandra Mara (Brazil), Stan Getz, Phil Woods, Bud Powell, Jay McShann, Kenny Barron, Mose Allison, Slim Gaillard (Piano), Barney Kessell, Al Casey, Tal Farlow (Guitar), Sonny Stitt, Ben Webster, James Moody, Dextor Gordon, Art Farmer, Red Rodney, Bobby Shew, Chet Baker, Ted Curzon (Trumpet), Gary Peacock, Percy Heath and Eugene Wright, Mark Riley and Matt Bianco, Elton John, Lulu, Matt Monro, Val Doonican, Billy Idol, Sade, Basia, The Pioneer Jazz Rock Band ‘Jazz Workshop’, Johnny Dankworth, Gloria Gaynor, Moby, Cleo Lane, Rod Argent, Barbara Thompson, John Hiseman, Don Rendell, Harry Beckett Michel Legrand and Charles Aznavour. He also remembers, with great fondness, his long stint with great American singers Dick Haymes, Brook Benton and Vic Damone.

Nick Walker

Nick studied saxophone briefly with the late,great, Leslie Evans, before spending a year at Leeds College of Music.

List of credits include Latin Underground, Macondo, Corner Pocket, Five Brothers, King Salsa, Grupo Folia, Rick Walker’s Groove Merchants, Jazz Devils, Captain Moonlight & more….. He has appeared informally with Ronnie Cuber, Nick Brignola and Joe Lovano.

He is a busy composer/arranger and is heavily involved in education, including instrumental tuition & running ‘Jazz Workshop’ and ‘Saxophone Ensemble’ at several schools in Herts/N.London

Chris Kibble

Chris has worked live with a wide range of artists including The Blue Meanies blues/rock band (later Rapid Fire) with Terry Fulcher, Tony Fulcher, Gary Ashton, Martin Donaldson and Nigel Rowe. Kafo Jazz/fusion band Kafo and the salsa band, Iota Inte.

Mid-Late 80′s – Deptford Dance Orchestra, Robin Jones King Salsa.

1990′s – Present Day – Plays and records with Snowboy & The Latin Section, Robin Jones’ Latin Underground, Don Rendell Quintet, Pucho & The Latin Soul Brothers, Charlotte Glasson’s Que Pasa, Adam Riley’s Deep Fill and Terry Callier Band (now acting as Terry’s UK/Europe MD), sessions with M People, Barbara Snow, Fuzz Against Junk. Geno Washington, Chicago Blues Brothers, Heather Simmons & The Swinging Belles, Claire Foster, Chantelle Duncan, Jo Riley, Diane Hall, Lido 66, Marc Cecil, Kenny Baxter, Toni Baxter, Simone Dee, Javier Luis, Ramsay McInnes, Mike King, Esther Bennett, Chris Rodel, production work with Gordon Smith, Peckham Royalty, Safires.

In recent years Chris has interested himself in developing his songwriting and music composition interests, and is often to be found working in his London Studio working both on solo projects and in collaboration with other artists writing and producing new music.

Chris’s love of a variety of music has also led him to an interest in helping other people appreciate the art of playing and he has a number of private students, as well as teaching jazz and blues, as well as composing and arranging classes at Goldsmiths College, London and LCCM, Southwark.

Gerry Hunt

Gerry Hunt is a multi- instrumentalist, experienced in many styles of music.

He currently performs regularly with Robin Jones’ Latin Underground, Hot Orange Big Band, The Grand Union Orchestra, Joanna Eden, Brenda Rattray and The Medusa Sax Quartet. Gerry has been a member of the Grand Union for over 20 years.

Gerry has also performed with Loose Tubes, Carol Grimes, The Roberto Pla Latin Jazz Ensemble, David Mantovani’s Quintet and Abdelkader Saadouns’ rai-rock group to name but a few. Gerry currently fronts his own band The Groove Robbers performing around London.

Gerry has also worked for the National Theatre and various musical groups as Musical Director.

He is also a music tutor for Morley College and The Hackney Music Service, and workshop leader for various community organisations.