An Award winning Contemporary band updating the classic Cuban / Latin sound and offering an irresistible set to keep the dance floor full. La Sonera Calaveras have established their name on the UK music scene with a highly unique and modern take on the traditional sounds of Cuban Music. Originating from Glasgow, La Sonera gets a good dose of Sun, Wind, Rain, Floods and Snow. This mix of elements had tempered their character, helping them to become one of the most passionate bands on the scene.
La Sonera Calaveras were formed in Glasgow, autumn 1999, by a collection of musicians, based in Glasgow and Fife and from a variety of musical backgrounds ranging from Folkloric to Latin to Jazz, etc.
Immediate popular appeal brought La Sonera to the Danny Kyle Open Stage award at the 2001 Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow and subsequently returning the following year to appear at The Barrowlands.
Since then, La Sonera have toured extensively throughout the UK and are working towards establishing a solid presence on the international festival circuit.
Having an ability to bring energy, sunshine & warmth to even the coldest day has ensured that the audience is always guaranteed a great gig.
Gerardo Ballesteros
Lead Vocals, Congas, Bongos, Bell, Shekere, Timbales, Surdo, etc
Originally from Buenos Aires, Gerardo has his background in the Contemporary Pop and Latin scenes both here and in his home city. He can also be seen playing, in any venue from Glasgow to Santiago de Cuba to Washington, along side Mr Beaver and Miss Clarke in the Celtic-Brazilian band MacUmba. Gerardo also has a number of recording and performing credits, with a variety of established Scottish music artists.
Robert Thomson
Bass and Coro
Robert has played around the Glasgow live scene for many years. He has been seen playing in the company of Nigel Clark, Chick Lyle and Rev Doc & The Congregation. His versatility has led him to play in Flamenco and Latin Jazz bands, working here and abroad. Robert was involved in one off the original line-ups of the Humpff Family and played on their first album, “In The Family Way”.
Tina Clarke
Backing Vocals, Maracas, Clave, Guiro, Cowbell, Congas
Tina began her musical career at the birth of the all-female drumming group, SheBoom! and recorded on The Pet Shop Boys “Bilingual” album. Since then she has featured in several other professional and community percussive bands, and is a member of MacUmba. Tina is also an experienced session vocalist, whose influences include Blues, Jazz and Folkloric styles.
Ricky Manning
Guitar and Coro
Ricky's roots are in Scottish Folk, but he has also been involved in many local popular music and jazz projects. Ricky is a former member of the Glasgow Parks Orchestra and the Raggle Taggle Gypsies.
Spending many years touring the Continent and Scandinavia in different Folk and Flamenco bands, Ricky has developed an expressive and energetic style of playing, strongly influenced by the Spanish tradition.
Robert Henderson
Trumpet, Clave, Coro
With a background in classical music and composition, Robert has associations with some of the most highly thought-of exponents of Scottish Jazz. He can be seen regularly appearing with Bill Wells, amoungst others, and is to be remembered for his participation in Herman X, one of the first popular Latin combos to come out of Glasgow.
Jamie Aitken
Bagpipes, Border Pipes
Jamie developed his piping skills playing with various pipe bands, notably the Nielston Pipe band. He has also toured the world performing as one of the original members of Bagpipe and Latin Percussion band MacUmba.
Darren Moyes
Timbales, Cowbell, Clave, Maracas, Snare, Surdo
Darren's musical background is predominately in the Contemporary Music scene as a drum kit player and percussionist. His drumming travels have taken him to spend time in London, before moving to join a band based in Australia, where he subsequently spent several years playing in a variety of groups.
After returning to Scotland, Darren became the administrator / occasional dep, for Latin percussion & Bagpipe group MacUmba and later was invited by La Sonera to stand in for their timbale player. This eventually led to Darren becoming a band member in late 2003.
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