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BARRIO LATINO (formerly Rumba Pa’Ti) kicked off in 1993 and steadily established itself as the West End’s most vibrant Latin clubnight. Brainchild of female Latin music promoter Dominique Roome and music entrepreneur Chris Greenwood (Bonanza/Cargo). Barrio Latino started out as Bar Rumba’s flagship night, and 14 years later has become a musical institution.
At first Dominique Djayed herself with the help of a rotating team of Djs inclding Fernando “Kbzon” Alex “El Gato”, Johnny G, and others. In fact the night had a reputation as a DJ school featuring up and coming talented young Latin Djs and Mcs like Glilberto, Fabian and MC Clemente and others.
Initially admission was free (can you believe it?!) Even now it’s only £3 for students. We must still be one of the cheapest clubnights in the West End!
What we wanted to do right from the start was to create an atmosphere where people could come down with or without a partner and dance to superb quality Latin sounds. We’ve always had a big DJ team. Resident Djs are currently and Johnny G playing the crispest salsa, timba, mambo and merengue and DJ Chino with his unbelievable selection of reggaeton, R&B and bashment. Regular guest slots by Djs like rising star on the urban Latin scene DJ Loco (Subsounds). And El Moreno (Tenerife) also feature.
With an expanded programme to include regular live acts, Mcs, dance shows, live internet broadcasts, Pas and international guest Djs; Here are some of the acts which we have featured over the years: -
Djs :Henry Knowles (NYC), DJ Broadway (NYC), Martin Morales, John Armstrong, Dave Hucker, Fumni, Andy “El Nino”, Luis Libres, Nelson Battista, DJ Lubi, DJ Loco, El Moreno, Steve M, Jose Luis etc etc.
Live Acts: Roberto Pla’s Latin Ensemble, Alfredo Rodriguez (Cuba), Azuquita (N.Y.) Herman Olivera (N.Y.), Orquesta Bombele, Chacon Y Su Timba, Grupo X, Chocolate On Ice Cream, Salsasonica, Palenque, El Equipo, Sexteto Café, La Clave, Merengada, Latin Clan, La Raza, Stylo Prohibido, Leximan, Café Mexclado, Kid Africa.
Dance Shows: Eddie Torres (N.Y), Nelson Flores (N.Y.) Steve Vasco (San Diego), Las Criollas (London), Duende (London), Irene Miguel (London).
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Barrio Latino’s promoter Dominique Roome has been in the music business since 1984, when she started her career at the Bass Clef Jazz Club in Hoxton, London. Originally there on a work placement from Leicester Poly where she graduated in Performing Arts, she stayed at the Bass Clef for seven years as venue booker promoting Latin, African and jazz nights as well as putting in successful clubnights with Djs including Norman Jay and Gilles Peterson. She started Djing the Latin night in 1986, and by bringing over the best Latin artists fron new York: (Charlie Palmieri, Daniel Ponce, Yomo Toro, Chocolate Armenteros and more), built it up to become the most talked about Latin clubnight of its time. Whilst still at the Bass Clef her Djing took off and she guested on Capital Radio and Kiss FM whilst also presenting her own weekly salsa show on the pirate TKO.
In 1982 she left the Bass Clef to launch her own company Salsa Boogie Productions. By then she was promoting and Djing Salsa Boogie on The Lock, a successful Latin clubnight with live bands which ran for seven years at the HQ Club, Camden Lock. She also ran and Djayed salsa nights at Down Mexico Way in Picadilly and Havana in Hannover Square. She spent two years managing the salsa bands Roberto Pla’s Latin Ensemble and Salsa Y Ache whom she toured with Arts Council funding. At this time she also promoted major Latin concerts at Le Palais, The Forum, Hackney Empire and Kensington Olympia.
In 1994 Dominique began compiling Latin albums for Charly Records using the catalogues of Fania and its associated labels including Vaya, Cotique, Tico and Alegre as well as the Seeco and Salsoul labels. To date she has compiled over 50 titles for Charly. Although she has taken a back seat from club Djing since the arrival of her second daughter in 1999, she is the driving force behind Barrio Latino at Bar Rumba, a night which features the hottest salsa, reggaeton, R&B and bashment. This is one of London’s most successful and longest-running clubnights and celebrates 14 years this December.
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