Roberto Pla
| Roberto Pla | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Roberto Enrique Pla Garcia |
| Born |
February 13, 1947 Barranquilla, Colombia |
| Genres | Salsa, Latin, Latin Jazz, Jazz Fusion, Pop |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, Composer, Band Leader |
| Instruments | Timbales, Drum Kit, Hand Percussion |
| Years active | 1964-present |
| Labels | Tumi Records |
| Associated acts | Roberto Pla and his Latin Ensemble, Cayenne, Gonzales, Valdez, Sonido De Londres, Paz,Guillespiano Big Band, The Hot Orange Big Band, Dave Hammer's Little Big Horn Band |
Roberto Pla (born February 13, 1947) is a Colombian percussionist best known as the 'God-Father of Latin Music in the UK' for his contribution to the live music scene in the United Kingdom, particularly in Afro- influenced rhythms.
Roberto Pla was born in Barranquilla on Colombia’s Northern Atlantic coast, a tropical area rich in music and folklore. As a boy, Roberto studied percussion with Pompilio Rodriguez, at that time one of Colombia’s greatest percussionists. In 1964 he left Barranquilla for Bogota the country's capital, and while he was there he became an active session musician playing with some of the best bands in his country including Los Ocho De Colombia. From 1968-78 he played drum kit with Orchestra Lucho Bermudez, Colombia’s leading Big Band, and national institution with whom he toured Latin America and the United States, recorded numerous albums and appeared weekly on Colombian television.
In 1979, Roberto left Colombia for New York, where he became a busy salsa session percussionist working with, amongst others, Orchestra La Tradition. In 1980 the attractions of the European pop scene drew him to London, where he joined the jazz fusion band Cayenne and Latin funksters Gonzalez (world tour), and by 1982 he was touring the world with pop megastars Boney M. In 1984, he was one of the earliest members of the London School of Samba, the first samba school to be set up in the UK. Since then, Roberto has been a resident in the UK. Artists that he has played and toured with include Joe Strummer (ex-Clash) with whom he featured in the French film I Hired a Contract Killer, Caribbean Soca artist Arrow (US tour), Spanish pop band Radio Futura, Japanese duo The Frank Chickens, and rock heavyweights Motörhead (with whom he featured in the film Eat the Rich). In 1987 he toured Japan and the far east with the legendary Slim Gaillard , and performed in North Africa with Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodriguez. He has also recorded for Kate Bush and M People. In 1992 he toured Europe and America with Virgin Records-signed popstar Sonny Southton. In summer 1993, he toured Europe with Blue Note Records- signed rap act US 3. Fania Allstars vocalist Adalberto Santiago and Azuquita. In 1998 he toured Europe with Sidestepper and the Newyorican Poets, and in November 1999, toured China with Trevor Watts’ Moire Music. In September/ October 2000, Roberto toured Canada, USA and Latin America with Watts. In 2009 Roberto played with the Ronnie Scott Allstars Orchestra conducted by Peter Long with special guest world famous N.Y. trumpeter John Faddis. In 2010 Roberto guested with Jazz At The Lincoln Centre Orchestra led by Wynton Marsalis at The Barbican Centre in London. Roberto is also a regular member of Gillespiana, an all-star big band featuring the crème de la crème of the UK's session musicians. In 2011 Roberto performed at the Southbank's Vintage Festival (R.F.H.) where he performed in the orchestra conducted by Sid Gauld backing acts including Adam Ant, Sandy Shaw and The Christians.
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