WHO: The London-based nine-piece band are a hot melting pot of identities with backgrounds that span the world map: Cuba, Argentina, Venezuela, Chile, Ghana, Congo, Spain and the UK. Wara formed in 2009 and soon found that they were doing what no one else was: namely portraying what Latin Americans face when moving to UK, using the music to bend stereotypes, genres and combine stories. “We reinterpret what has already been done [in Cuban music] so it applies to young people living here in the UK in 2013,” says Latin powerhouse Eliane Correa, MD and keyboard player. The rest of the line-up includes Congolese-Argentinean lead vocalist Juanita Euka (niece of legendary Congolese musician Franco), London’s Josh Solnick aka Murmur (FUR) as multiple-personality lyricist. Add to this Nana Aldrin Quaye on backing vocals, George Cole on bass, Tauarean Antoine-Chagar on saxophone, Ernesto Marichales tight on percussion, Leandro ‘Lele’ Mancini on drums and Greg Sanders-Gallego on guitar, whose West African inspired riffs add another geographical twist to the Wara sound.

"Socially conscious, upbeat and joyous…" Songlines 2013

"They mash Cuban jazz-funk, clubby beats and smart hooks – lead track 'Flesh And Bone' is a Latin-London blast." Single of the week - Metro

"Wara are at the cutting edge… of the musical pulse." Lopa Kothari, BBC Radio 3

“Wara are young musical revolutionaries who simply ignore convention…they represent the true sound of contemporary Latin London in the 21st century. Lubi Jovanovic (UK Latin DJ/Promoter/Journalist)

RELEASES: Debut release EP “Flesh and Bone” on Movimientos Records available now worldwide. Hotly anticipated album release 'Leave To Remain' coming May 2013…

WHERE: Consistently packing dance floors to dizzying heights, Wara have played at Glastonbury, The Big Chill Festival, Secret Garden Party, Barbican's Blaze Festival (supporting Calle 13), Arts in the Park (supporting Courtney Pine), BT London Live Victoria Park, Ronnie Scott’s, The Roundhouse and Ealing Global Festival. Details of the Wara UK Tour 2013, supported by La Linea, will be announced soon.

WARA PAST GIGS

2012

15th June, Passing Clouds

17th June, Celebrating Sanctuary, Southbank

29th June, Leefest

30th June, New Voices Festival

20th July, Rich Mix

21st July, Secret Garden Party

22nd July, Shoreditch Festival

7th Aug, Victoria Park, BT LIVE

24th Aug, Rhythm Tree Festival, Isle of Wight

2nd Sept, Burgess Park

13th Oct, Hootananny

2011
12th Nov, Globoloco @ Mango Landin (Brixton), London
11th Nov, Bossaphonik @ The Cellar (Cornmarket), Oxford
7th Nov, Movimientos @ The Roundhouse (Camden), London
3rd Nov, Playgroup, Cook the Rabbit @ The Blind Tiger, Brighton
28th Oct, Viva La Revolucion! @ Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, London
23rd Oct, Oxjam, Dogstar (Brixton), London
17th Sept, Movimientos @ Hootananny (Brixton), London
10th Sept, Barclaycard Stage, The Mayor’s Thames Festival, London
19th Aug, Movimientos @ Passing Clouds (Dalston), London
6th Aug, Big Chill Festival, Global Local Stage.
4th Aug, Muevete @ Favela Chic (Old Street), London
24th July, Ealing Global Festival (Walpole Park), London
17th July, Arts is the Park (support for Courtney Pine), (Waltham Forest), London
8th July, Barbican Blaze, Hackney Empire (support for CALLE 13), London
24th-26th June, Glastonbury Festival, Cubana Stage, Club Dada, The Hub
5th June, London Green Fair, Main Stage (Regents Park), London
4th June, Exeter Respect Fair, Main Stage, Exeter
29th May, Leeds Loves Latin, Millenium Square, Leeds
7th May, Rich Mix Summer Season Launch, (Dalston), London
15th April, Movimientos @ Passing Clouds (Dalston), London
26th March, Movimientos @ Hootananny (Brixton), London
17th March, SOAS Radio Live @ Favela Chic (Old Street) London
11th Feb, Carnival Of Love, SOAS, London
21st Jan, Global Local and Movimientos, Rich Mix, London