How, why and when did you get into salsa?
I first got into Salsa when a friend of mine from school & later on in life kickboxing, kept asking me to come. After the 3rd time of him asking I thought “ok” (just to shut him up really).
That was May 2000, I was hooked and determined to learn it quickly, there was a good atmosphere and so many people, straight away I decided I wanted to get to grips with this Salsa thing.
Who first taught you to dance salsa?
My first class was with a lady called Sue Lovell at a place called The Friary Hotel in Derby. Sue had a lovely pair of legs so I started to call her ‘Sue Diamonds’ because of the shape of her calves. I then started to attend 3-4 classes a week.
So my teachers were Sue, Nick aka El Nico, a guy called Guido & Ian Worrell. I then started moving further afield to guys like Henry Vina & Gary Thomas (On2).
Then Norman & Trevor of Latin Vybz & Coolsalsa started classes in Nottingham so I spent a good time with them.
Did you have any dance training prior to salsa?
No. I always liked watching dancers and I was into Northern Soul as a youth - we’d practise at youth club when I was supposed to be having guitar lessons. I won a couple of dancing comps but they were all at different youth groups.
Tell me a little about Flip and Bounce. When, why and how was it set up?
The name Flipandbounce came from me asking ladies to dance. I used to say “come here let me flipandbounce ya”, whilst holding out my hand. I remember thinking that’s quite catchy I might use it one day. So Bank Holiday 2001, Nottingham at Via Fosa listening to a DJ mixing Usher with another wicked tune at the time. I was with my friend Leslie Reid and the whole thing just hit me! I started spilling out all this stuff I wanted to do under the flipandbounce umbrella, the 1st stage being RnB gigs.
I was really excited about it and told Leslie to get on board, he said “yeah yeah” but never did. I discussed it with my soon to be girlfriend Donna Fox and she encouraged me to start salsa classes as that’s where my passion lay. A few months later I started my first class in Howden, Yorkshire. 60 people walked through the door the 1st night for a 6 week course all paying £25!!
8 weeks later I opened another class in Goole just a few miles down the road. I then opened up in West Bridgford, Derby, Southwell, Chesterfield & Long Eaton. Now I operate mainly in the East Midlands The 2nd stage of flipandbounce will be revealed later this year.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Books & people, there’s a saying… ‘You are the books you read and the people you hang about with’. Donna, “Smooth Trev” as I call him, Gary Thomas, Mushi, Zane then further a field Frankie Martinez, Eddie Torres, Oliver Pineda, HYM, Santa Rico, Philippe Polanco, Shaka Brown. I also get inspired by salsa shows - I watch loads of them from all over the world, it’s one of my hobbies.
Who do you admire?
Any promoter/dancer that thinks big things, people that step out of the crowd and push things forward… Paul Young, Albert Torres, Juan Matos, Frankie Martinez, Emma & Kate Moore, Mauricio Reyes, Lee Hunter, Robert & Jean White to name but a few and me!!
What’s your favourite track at the moment?
Damn I don’t really know artists etc. I just know when I like a tune. I like Big Band sounds with accents, and a pace that climbs to different levels. I also like the Romantica stuff so Tu Amor Me Hace Bien by Marc Anthony is running it for me at the moment. and has been since Yamulee introduced it in a shines class at Britfest 2005.
What are your all time favourite tracks?
Once again I don’t really know artists & titles so can I just hum them for you?Ok I can’t be bothered to go look, so shoot me.
What are your favourite albums?
There aren’t many albums you can put on and let it play till the end so this is a difficult one. Alex Wilson Inglaterra has something for everyone, I think it’s his best Salsa album to date. Apart from that there isn’t a single salsa album in my collection that I’d play all the way through. I love artists like Jaheim, Anthony Hamilton, Floetry - I’m an RnB Soul kinda guy.
I challenge any DJ out there to put together an album of pure bangers with no fillers!!
What was the last CD you bought?
The last CD I brought was Urban RnB Weekend
What music is in your car/cd player/tape player at the moment?
At the moment it’s Urban RnB Weekend 3 disc set, Disc 1 for the club, Disk 2 for the ride & Disk 3 for the crib.
Who are your favourite artists?
Haven’t got a favourite artist in Salsa as I said I hear a track it moves me it’s all good. I could make lists like everyone else but enough already!
If you were not a successful Promoter/Teacher/DJ, what would you be doing instead? Or if you also have a full-time job, what do you do?
I used to specialize in working with Deaf, Blind and Sensory loss in Social Services.
If I wasn’t doing salsa I would still be doing something in entertainment. I’ve been on TV and sang in gospel choirs. Put me in front of a decent sized crowd, give me a mic…I’m happy.
Tell me something most people wouldn’t know about you?
I have a 21 year old daughter Kirsty & Jordan my son is 15 this year.
What’s your all time favourite salsa club/event that you have played/taught/danced?
2003 UK Congress I danced that hard I nearly passed out. Snowboy was the band and it was a wicked congress.
What has been your most memorable moment?
Meeting my ex fiancé at a salsa club in Nottingham 2000. Promoting & performing at my first BIG gig at the Assembly Rooms, Derby April 06.
Have you had any embarrassing/nightmare-ish moments in salsa?
Yeah April 07 performing a routine at Day of Dance, Nottingham, Market Sq and forgetting a whole chunk of the choreography but I just smiled, shrugged my shoulders and got on with messing up the rest of the routine! Lol
Is there anything else you would like to add?
If I’m sad make me smile, If I’m smiling, smile back, If I forget to dance with you,Forgive me. If I ask for help, help me, If you need a hug just ask.My hugs are worth 1000’s
Simon aka Mr Flipandbounce
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