Hugo

Hugo El Papi Salcedo was born in Cartagena, Caribbean Colombia. He is a gifted musician who commenced his musical career as a child jamming with local kids in his neighbourhood. He has since then perfected his skills through extensive travel throughout Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe before settling in South Australia. He has played with over 20 bands in Colombia alone and has earned international acclaim as a master of Afro Caribbean rhythms, Latin Dancer extraordinaire and Latin DJ. He truly blesses the dance floor with his 17 years of experience on the International Latin Music and Dance industry.Hugo’s first brush with fame came whilst living in Bogota during 1991. He formed the band Patakore who pioneered a unique fusion of traditional Colombian rhythms with Funk, Rock and Caribbean grooves such as Soca and Reggae. Patakore performed in prestigious Music Festivals throughout Europe with their unique style and today are recognized in the latest international music book: 'Rough Guide to World Music'; a huge honour for any musician.Hugo later joined internationally renowned Colombian Diva 'Toto La Momposina'. With Toto, he toured the world playing the Gaita, an indigenous Colombian flute as well as the traditional drums. Hugo collaborated on many of her CD recordings, including the album 'Pa Canto' which was twice nominated for the prestigious Grammy Awards in the US.Over the years he has won countless prestigious music awards for his contribution to Colombian folk music. Hugo's most memorable moment was representing Colombia at Bogotá's International Percussion Festival in 1992. He performed with his group at the time "Fiesta de Tambores" (Festival of Drums) and was privileged to jam with his mentors Poncho Sanchez, Ray Barretto, Tito Puente and Cuba's Los Papines.Hugo arrived in Adelaide in 1999 with no English skills; just his talent, dreams and vision to introduce his culture to the world.He has done just that! Since settling down in Adelaide; Hugo has played with many local Latin groups Mestizo, Fiesta de Tambores, Mambo Café, Brazza, Caliente and Candela.He has also has co-founded both Latino Dance Studio and La Bomba Productions and now branching out on his own with Latino Grooves!Hugo has been the man behind all major Latin Events in Adelaide which have been created and drawn from Hugo’s extensive experiences from his native Cartagena as well as travels through out the world.Today Hugo is the Director of the successful Latin Entertainment Company; Latino Grooves and Australia’s Premier Latin Dance Band ‘TNT LATINOz’. He runs popular weekly Salsa Dance Classes and continues to produce world –class entertainment through his parties, events, festivals and night club productions.