Los Bandidos (six pieces salsa band)

Event Information

This is a new salsa band, based here in the south west, founded by Tom Ball, who's a regular performer here at the Arts Centre on piano and Hammond organ. He's brought together some great musicians – so this looks like being a bit of a fiesta, bringing some joy and colour to these cold grey January evenings. Here's what he has to say about it:

“Los Bandidos is a six-piece salsa band dedicated to bringing the energy and richness of Caribbean music to audiences both on and off the dance floor. Drawing on Afro-Cuban rhythms, Latin traditions, and the language of jazz, the band delivers music that is rhythmically deep, melodically strong, and irresistibly alive.

At the heart of the band is a powerful rhythm section. Percussionists Ben Waring and Preston Prince weave together congas and timbales to create layered grooves drawn from styles such as son, rumba, guajira, and bembe. This rhythmic foundation is anchored by Jim Rintoul’s tumbao basslines and Tom Ball’s driving piano montunos, locking everything firmly in place.

Above it all, the horn section, Robin Pengilley on trumpet and Tom Breeze on trombone, delivers bold melodies, tight harmonies and expressive solos, all propelled by the momentum underneath. True to the salsa tradition, the band also features Spanish-language coro vocals, adding authenticity and collective spirit to the sound.

Los Bandidos’ repertoire ranges from classic salsa favourites to inventive reworkings of jazz standards and carefully chosen pop songs, all arranged in authentic salsa styles. The result is music that feels rooted and familiar, yet fresh and accessible to a wide audience. Once the groove is set, the effect is immediate — whether you come to dance, listen closely, or discover salsa for the first time, a Los Bandidos performance is immersive, energetic, and memorable.”

Tom Ball, piano
Ben Waring, percussion
Jim Rintoul, bass
Preston Prince, drums
Robin Pengilley, trumpet
Tom Breeze, trombone



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