NEWS
EVENTS
The Latin UK awards heats up KOKO in London
Other | Thursday 4th June 2015 | Osh
With an influx of wonderful music coming from the South American continent, the Guestlist crew thought it would be a refreshing change to head down to KOKO in Camden to experience the very best in what Latin music has to offer, and also brush up on some of those old samba steps!
With a host of Latin stars in attendance, this was one of those nights where everyone was on top form and looked a million pounds. The frocks and dancing shoes where out, and boy can those guys dance!
The night saw Fania Records (home to Tito Puente ‘Oye Como Va’, Celia Cruz, Ruben Blades etc) honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award. CEO Michael Rucker flew in to collect the award, saying ”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”. Award-winning Musician Of The Year Dorance Lorza and 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.
The awards also saw the debut performance of Jorge Spiteri’s Latin Funk Allstars which includes some of the capital’s finest 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.
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 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’.
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 didn'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
www.thelukas.co.uk
