Que Pasa: How was Raza Latina formed?
Raza Latina: In 1997, me (Pepe) and my twin brother Ricky founded the band Raza Latina but our playing of music in Italy began in 1992. In South America, we have had the honour of playing with so many orchestras of international fame in Peru, Venezuela and Colombia, including Somos Musica of the Callao, Cadencia, Anthony Cartagena, Hildemaro, Koymbre, Los Melodicos, Fruko y sus Tesos, Tito Gomez etc.

Que Pasa: Introduce me to each member of the band and what they do.Raza Latina: During the winter, the band is composed of 9 musicians, but for the summer period (from June to August) the band grows to up to 12 musicians. We can have 2 or 3 singers, 2 or 4 brass players and 3 percussionists.

Que Pasa: You are a Latin American band based in Milan, Italy. Which countries do you come from?
Raza Latina: The singers come from Cuba and Santa Domingo, the percussionists are from Venezuela, Cuba and Peru, the brass players are from Cuba and Peru, the pianist is from Mexico and the bassist is Italian.

Que Pasa:What is the Latin music scene like in Italy?
Raza Latina: The Latin environment in Italy is very strong, especially in the North of Italy. I think that Milan is becoming the 'Capital of Salsa in Europe', just as New York is for the whole of Latin America. Do you know why I say this? Because so many Latin musicians that reside in Europe are now starting to come to Italy, not only to play but also to dance. There are so many dance teachers that I knew from Cuba, New York, Los Angeles, Puerto Rico etc, now residing in Milan and working together with dancers that are friends of ours. There is then an enormous growth of dance schools. In Milan, there are thousands of school, meaning success for all the Latin nights here.

Que Pasa: How would you describe your music?
Raza Latina: Our Salsa can be as traditional as it can be contemporary. It is very varied so it can satisfy all the different types of dancers. Generally, we always provide some Bachata in every interval. It seems that this mix is very popular here in Italy.

Que Pasa: Does being based in Italy influence the sound of your music?
Raza Latina: Certainly. We have for example inserted the Bachatas into our musical repertoire. This has been a choice dictated by the success these pieces have had in Italy.

Que Pasa: Which artists inspire you?
Raza Latina: Our singers admire Gilberto Santa Rosa a lot. They are spellbound by the energy of this great artist. Personally, I have great admiration for the whole musical tradition of El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico and of the Van Van de Cuba. Also, I would like to celebrate the 30 years of Raza Latina!

Que Pasa:. . Who would you most like to work with?
Raza Latina: In these 9 years, our band Salsero has accompanied great names known internationally, like Ray Sepùlveda, Johnny Rivera, Tito Gomez, Miles Pena, Hector Tricoche, Jerry Galante etc. But without doubt, we would like to collaborate with Gilberto Santa Rosa or Victor Manuel. Who knows, maybe one day!

Que Pasa:You have performed all over Europe. What is your experience of Latin music in Europe compared to Latin America?
Raza Latina: Obviously, it is very different. In Latin America, when you organise any Latin event, it mobilises many people. In the promotion of the event, you have all the means of communication, just as with concerts in Italy for artists like Ramazzotti or Laura Pausini. But we have the benefit of strong support from the press in Italy. We have to count on our strengths rather than our weaknesses. Plus, we are very motivated in our purpose to give more music and Latin American culture to the world in every sense!!!!

Que Pasa: Are you planning to travel further a field in the future?
Raza Latina: Last November, we crossed the European frontiers for the first time to play at the Abudabi Latin Festival in the Arabic Emirates. And in April of this year, we will have our first tour of Scandinavia. They are all marvellous places!

Que Pasa: How do you see the future for Raza Latina?
Raza Latina: It will surely be very rich in gigs and travel, including distant places that have only now begun to take on the Latin American culture.

ARRIVEDERCI!
”Pepe” Espino – Raza Latina band

Their album is out now.

Italian Version

(For further information on concerts or to order a CD, check out Raza Latina’s website on http://www.razalatina.it/