Ernesto Cabrera - Luisana Martins Guanche, Glenmoor Academy

Playing exceptionally, they can do salsa, merengue, reggaeton, bachata and cumbia. Also playing songs in English. Ernesto’s favourite genre however being salsa! 

Depending on the event, the arrangements can vary from solo to trio and more.

The trio group consists of percussion instruments, bass, piano and guitar. And when Ernesto plays solo, he uses a backing track. But this has never reduced the quality of the performance.

For the larger ensemble, it includes instruments like the trombone, saxophone and trumpet. 

What type of events do they do? 

“Salsa nights at pubs, weddings, batchelor parties... I suppose the only event we don’t do are funerals”, he says jokingly. 

“The people who go tend to like the atmosphere”, and I can confirm that the atmosphere created is like no other.

Ernesto’s charismatic personality is projected through his music, making it unique, unmatched and addicting. By experiencing these live events, you are guaranteeing yourself long-lasting memories and certainly, lots of dancing! I’ll admit, as someone who has gone to many of his appearances, I cannot recall a single time I’ve been able to stand still.

Also speaking from the perspective of a current year 11 student, about to sit my final GCSE exams, these events are the perfect reliever of stress; a momentary escape from the pressure by allowing you to relax for a worries-free, unforgettable time!  

So the obvious question is, if you’re living in Dorset, and you are yet to hear Ernesto Cabrera and the bands play live, what are you doing?! Because what party is complete without Latin music? And what better way to complete it than with the very best. 

Perhaps you even recognise Ernesto by his iconic hat... 

“most people, even if they don’t know what is going on, can identify me by the hat” 

Since he was young, he has had a passion for live music. As a child he describes standing in awe watching the mariachi bands. Which then led to him, at the age of 10, telling his dad he wanted a ‘tambor de gaitas” (from maracaibo) which he saved up to buy. 

“I was always that child who was saving up at every birthday, Christmases”  

Once he bought himself his first tambor de gaitas, he taught himself playing by ear, by following along with songs on the radio. Later, he then went on to buy the drums, congas, timbale, and did the same process.  

At just 15 years old, he began to be a part of many bands with friends and more. This has given him the experience he has now, which has developed his co-operation skills and this is very evident when you see the harmony in his group plays.  

Ernesto talks about his experience in his first band: 

“It was super popular because we played well and were young so we’d get treated like royalty. If we’d be playing at a Quinceañera party we’d get treated better than the Quinceañera girl”, he says playfully. 

“Because I went to a public school in Venezuela, I was more exposed to an environment of Latin music from the beginning, whereas private schools would listen to songs in English more. It’s at University that I was exposed to different music, and I began to listen to English music too” 

Once he was in a particular band, he began to sing as well. This has broadened his skills, only making him even more talented. And so, in his adolescent years, he had the opportunity to be the supporting act of very successful and well-known ‘Guaco’ (a Venezuelan band) and Oscar D’León (a Venezuelan musician).  

His commitment did not stop when he moved to England in 2014. Though he started working in a pizzeria, he continued to show resilience by going from business to business, asking if they’d be interested in having him play live music.  

In my eyes, he is the embodiment of what it means to be determined and has had to build up his own reputation from scratch, never letting the fact he was in a country, foreign to him, give him the excuse to give up.  

He expresses his gratitude towards his wide audience range:

“Latin music is becoming more and more accepted worldwide. You can see Bad Bunny at the Grammy awards, and now around 40% of my audience are non-latinos. Unlike before, when I go to play and look at the audience, I don’t know about over half of the people” 

Ernesto and every member of the two bands, have immense dedication to their craft, always in preparation and attending multiple rehearsals out of their already busy schedule. Always given their all into every appearance, with each one the audience - myself included - is always left begging for “one more song!” over and over again. 

“Overall, I would just say that music is a very good hobby, and it can lead you to meet incredible people, so I'd always recommend people to dedicate some time to it because the doors that music opens for you are not opened by anything else. No one is put-off by music, so what’s the harm!” 

So where can you find Ernesto and his bands ‘elatino’ and ‘salsappeal’ playing?

At the Pavillion Arms in Charminster, every last Thursday of each month.

At the Revolución de Cuba Southampton, often multiple times a month.

They have also done concerts in town, down in the lower gardens.

Contact information: (Instagram)

@e.latino4321 @salsappeal