Little Havana: Featuring Roberto Pla

The Godfather of Latin music in the UK, and Colombian master percussionist.

Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, in the 60’s Roberto studied music at the National University of Bogota, going on to tour Latin America and the States with Orquesta Lucho Bermudez, Colombia's leading big band, he recorded numerous albums and appeared weekly on Colombian TV.

After session works in New York, he moved to London where he joined the jazz-fusion band Cayenne, and Latin-funkesters Gonzalez (World Tour).

By 1982 he was touring the world with pop megastars Boney M. since then Roberto has been resident in the U.K. His reputation as one of the best Columbian Timbalero led him to play and tour with Joe Strummer (Ex Clash) with whom he featured in the French film 'I Hired a Contract Killer' Caribbean soca star Arrow (Europe & U.S. tour), Spanish pop band Radio Futura, Japanese duo The Frank Chickens, and rock heavyweights Motorhead (with whom he featured in the film 'Eat the Rich'.) A hard working musician, Roberto Pla has toured with the legendary Slim Gaillard, Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodriguez, Carlos 'Patato' Valdez, Fania Allstars vocalist Adalberto Santiago, Azuquita and Tito Allen, Sidestepper, the Nuyorican Poets, Trevor Watts. He has also recorded for Kate Bush and M. People.

Roberto was a founder member of the UK's first salsa band Valdez.Cofounder of U.K. Salsa band Sonido de Londres & in 1988 Roberto founded his own 12 piece all-star band the Roberto Pla Latin Ensemble.