SNOWBOY & THE LATIN SECTION

He has been the cornerstone for the British and European Latin jazz scene for over fifteen years. His live act is a powerful band called The Latin Section with whom he has recorded nine albums, and toured the world. Snowboy is also a vinyl fiend and resident DJ at the Hi-Hat at North London's Jazz Cafe. It is here that lovers of la musica buena gather on a monthly basis to dance to the rawest, and rarest Latin gems ever put to wax, and see some of the best Latin jazz, and Brazilian bands from around the world.
   
Unlike many of today's overly polished and/or bland Latin jazz recordings, Snowboy's new album, "Afro-Cuban Jazz," is fierce! Released 6-6-2000, it is a non-stop romp through hard-hitting descargas, savory cha cha chas, and catchy mambos. Reminiscent of the early works of Eddie and Charlie Palmieri, the album is a leap forward for Snowboy, who has a firm understanding of the Latin jazz forefathers.
   
The album follows on the heels of Snowboy's red hot Brazilian-tinged club single "Casa Forte," which was penned by Edu Lobo, remixed by respected house music producer Joe Clausell, and released on the Ubiquity imprint as a 12." The single went on to sell close to10,000 copies, and was licensed to over 12 compilations, becoming a massive club hit throughout the world. While the single is now out-of-print, the original Snowboy version can be found on the latest Ubiquity compilation No Categories 3 (URCD057). Another remix of "Casa Forte" by Pathless (the percussive off-shoot of the high profile Jazzanova production team) follows this August and will be accompanied by mixes of "Descarga Angixi" by Japanese producers United Future Organisation.
   
As a prolific DJ on the UK's jazz dance scene throughout the late 1970s and 1980s Snowboy went on to take percussion lessons from top Latin jazz musician Robin Jones. After teaming up with many musicians he established himself as a band leader and in-demand session musician - Acid Jazz records provided Snowboy with a platform for his first full length Latin Section recording "Ritmo Snowboy" in 1988. In conjunction with their numerous releases Snowboy and the Latin Section toured the world from Scandinavia to Singapore, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong and most of Europe. Snowboy has also toured with other projects as percussionist for Lisa Stansfield, Basia and the James Taylor Quartet. His heavy schedule as a session musician has taken him to play on the Johnny Carson, Arsenio Hall and Dave Letterman shows with the above mentioned artists. At the height of the UK jazz dance movement (around 1994) Snowboy and the Latin section hit the UK independent charts, his "Something's Coming" album nestling in the Top 10, right next to Depeche Mode and The Smiths.
   
On his last album, Mambo Rage, Snowboy achieved the hard driving, up-tempo, authentic Afro Cuban Jazz sound he'd been looking for on previous recordings. Mambo Rage was released October 1998 and was his first appearance on Cubop the Latin jazz arm of Ubiquity.
   
Snowboy continues to perform live and as a DJ around the world. His new album will be released June 6th in time to become a soundtrack for the Summer. DJs and vinyl collectors take note:Afro-Cuban Jazz will also be made available on double-vinyl for a limited period.