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It’s the 29th of April and Steevo is celebrating his birthday in Spain..right now he’s chillin’ on the balcony of an apartment overlooking the Levante Beach in Calpe. The sun is shining and the weather is sweet.
How, why and when did you get into salsa?
Well… I’ve always loved the music since way back when, but my first experience of a salsa club was back in late ’99. In those days my background was in the fitness industry. I was working for the YMCA at the time and there I met 2 lovely ladies from Bolivia, Mildred and Leslie. I was also doing a part time Spanish course so everything fell into place so to speak. One day we had a conversation about Salsa, and that’s when they mentioned this club called La Finca in Central London. I accompanied them one Friday night and I’m pleased to say that I began a journey which is still ongoing….
Who first taught you to dance salsa?
My first Salsa class was at an adult education institute. I won’t mention the instructor’s name or nationality for fear of retribution…. lol!.. but the classes were lacklustre to say the least, to the point where I became frustrated. The Gods must’ve been smiling down on me during that week; that’s when I met this Cuban guy called Brando Acosta who was teaching Salsa Cuban style at The Mambo Inn in Brixton (also known as The Loughborough Hotel) on Monday nights. All the credit goes to Brando.
Did you have any dance training prior to salsa?
No, but I do believe I had the natural ability (being the hue that I am..lol!!.) Way before salsa I was into soul, funk, and jazz, not to mention Latin jazz. The guys I used to hang around then, we used to frequent clubs like The Wag, Gossips, Cheeky Peeks/Umbrellas, Cats Whiskers on a Sunday night, not to mention the countless soul weekenders (I’m showin’ my age now!!). We would all keep up with the latest moves and create moves of our own. We would have one on encounters called “burn ups”. Man those were the days!
How, when and why did you get into DJing?
Looking back I can honestly say it was just a natural progression. It all started in Brighton at a venue called The Babylon Lounge in 2007/8. I began my stints @ The Lounge as a teacher, then I thought to myself ‘why not give DJing a go’ seeing as my Salsa CD collection was growing steadily. I eventually became one of the resident DJs there. There’s no greater feeling than sharing your passion with the crowd and seeing them respond by taking to the floor.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
My inspiration comes from everywhere and everybody. I wake up in the morning and I’m inspired… I think about my 2 sons and I’m inspired. When I go dancing and the lady smiles when I bust a move I’m inspired……it goes on……
Who do you admire?
Oh Man! There are too many people out there to mention. But the few I must give props to are:-
Firstly my Mum, the Lady of my Life out there in sunny Barbados, who refuses to stay in the house lol – walks early in the morning, doing courses (computer, music theory etc).
President Barrack Obama and the First Lady who have proved that if you dare to dream and believe in that dream, anything is possible.
My Ex Colleen Tyrrell who is now residing in Spain. Making a major life changing decision like that, and to take her family in tow from the UK to start a new life…WOW! …she’s even started her own Salsa classes; the proud creator of Take 2 Salsa…nothing but props to you Col!
Trevor Grant, who runs the prestigious Babylon Lounge in Brighton on Friday nights and other venues at different locations in the Sussex area. This man has put his money where his mouth is since I first met him way back in 1999. In the past Trevor has taken many people under his wing, and has bent over backwards to accommodate them. Many of these people have gone on to do their own thing, some successful, some not. However, hardly any of those have shown him any gratitude for his assistance. Trevor is one of the unsung heroes on the Salsa scene in Sussex.
My teaching compadre Ned Smith who teaches @ The Bulls Head Hotel in Chislehurst who has been in the game since way before I started..…humble and down to earth, another unsung hero in my opinion, who’s teaching methods are second to none.
Brando Acosta, the man who showed me the door to a whole new world that is the salsa scene.
Julian “The Duke” & Johnny G. In my opinion two of the hottest DJs in the UK. Thanks to these guys my knowledge and enthusiasm for the music has grown steadily over the years.
What’s your favourite track at the moment?
There are so many stonkers (wicked tunes) out there at the moment, but one of my favs right now is ‘Ahora Mismo’ by The Latin Giants Of Jazz.
What are your all time favourite tracks?
Escombre - Suprema Corte, Sera - Orquesta La Conspiracion, Ay Boranda - Sonora Poncena, Guaya Guaya - Lefty Perez, Otra Oprtunidad - Jimmy Bosch, El Cantante - Angel Lopez, Quien Como - Jose ‘Canario’ Alberto, Veinte Anos - The Colombia All Stars, Agua de Clavelito - Quinto Mayor, Proposiciones + La Fruta - Los Van Van, Todavia No - Manolito, Vover Volver - Grupo Gale, Mis Caras Lindas - Ismael Rivera, Buscame - Adolescents Orchestra, Asia Minor - Manny Oquendo y Libre, Quiero Olvidarte y No Puedo - Erick Llego la Banda / Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Madre Rumba - Celia Cruz, Hechicera - Oscar de Leon, Ti Mombon - Tito Puente, Como te Hago Entender - Roberto Roena, Guarare - Tito Gomez, Amada Mio - Jose ‘Papo’ Rivera, Tu Amor me Hace Bien - Marc Anthony, Deseo - Raulin Rausendo, Nadie es Para Siempre - Luis Fonsi, Tuyo - Tito Nieves, Mi Suerte – Cuco Valoy, El Aguacero (revisited) - Gran Combo, Se Fue y Me Dejo - Ismael Miranda, Tu no Me Ames le Temes - N’klabe, Sugar Guaguanco - Joe Bataan, Sugar Frost - Johnny Pacheco, Princesa - Calle Real, Maestro de Kung Fu - Chino Rodriguez, Boricua Blues - Son Boricua, Corazon de Araña Negra - New York Sextet, Cambiare Por Ti - Guayacan, Nadie se Sabe - Mamborama, Llorando - Son de Cali, La Llave - Grupo Latin Vibe, Iglesia - Tony Vega, Si No Me Ven Llorando - Gilberto Santa Rosa, Ella se Hizo Deseo - Tito Rojas……
Okay that’s enough….
What are your favourite albums?
On Time - Jose’Canario’ Alberto, Buscame - Adolescents Orchestra, Con Fuerza - Calle Real, Into the Eighties - Tipica 73, Estacion Candela - Pedro Bull + Jerry Medina, Renacer - Kevin Ceballo, Ayer, Ahora y Siempre - Oscar De Leon, Mi Musica - Roberto Roena, Llego Van Van - Los Van Van, Fania All Stars Live in Japan 1976, Los Compadres - Johnny Pacheco + Pete “El Conde” Rodriguez, Mo - Jimmy Sabater.
What was the last CD you bought?
Corazon Sonero - Aymee Nuviola.
What music is in your car/cd player/tape player at the moment?
Apologies to all the Salsa peeps, but right now as I’m driving around in Spain I’m havin’ a bit of a Soul/Funk/Jazz retro old skool fool moment… listening to The Whispers, Parliament, Sharon Redd, Sylvester, Cameo, Change ,Twilight 22, Roy Ayers, Shalamar, Jeff Lorber etc etc……Is anyone out there on the same page..…??? lol
Who are your favourite artists?
Back to the Salsa… Oscar, Canario, Celia, Tito Puente, Grupo Gale and Los Van Van.
Tell me something most people wouldn’t know about you?
I used to sport funky dreads… Can you ever imagine??
What’s your all time favourite salsa club/event that you have played/taught/danced?
Danced…. Randalls in Madrid,Spain. Played…. Babylon Lounge where I first started. Taught….Royal College of Art in Kensington London.
What has been your most memorable moment?
I’ll never forget the time I played @ Bar Latino in North London. It was Xmas Eve 2K7, and I had arranged with Lawson to come and play a few tunes just for 30 minutes….I ended up staying on the decks for over 2 hours.
Have you had any embarrassing/nightmare-ish moments in salsa?
Before I even contemplated taking lessons I would go to La Finca. Every Friday for 7 weeks I just stood there in awe, amazed at the way certain moves were being executed with such precision, which to me seemed impossible. On the seventh week I was approached by a beautiful, gorgeous, stunning, to die for (you get my drift) lady. My jaw dropped, I was speechless. She asked me if I could dance salsa, to which I regrettably replied “NO”. She simply walked away and left me standing with my tail between my legs. I’m happy to say that I’ve moved on since that fateful night. However I must say that she was the catalyst in getting my act together. After all, who knows how many more weeks I would’ve endeavoured to just stand and watch.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I consider myself very fortunate to be a part of the Salsa Scene here in the UK. The day I started to dance Salsa was the day my life changed. Irrespective of the part one plays within this genre, whether big or small, we are all making a valid contribution. There is no other kind of music that attracts people of different cultures and ages, like salsa, bringing everyone under one roof ….. it’s simply amazing. I’ll never forget the words spoken by The Great Eddie Torres back in 2000 @ Bootsy Brogans in North Wembley (one of Mambo City’s early venues)…… “Its not about New York Style being better than on the 1 and vice versa…its about everybody coming under one roof to dance and have a good time”.
Steevo
You can listen to Steevo’s SalsaSabro’ Sessions on Vertex FM, Wednesday nights, 6.00pm-8.00pm. Listen live or listen on-demand via Steevo’s homepage on the website.
www.vertexfm.com
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