Palenke, London’s leading Latin American Dance band, was born in 1990 to the collective talents of Fernando Suarez – “Kinacho” and Lisandro Zapata. Both are highly professional performers and are widely experienced in the Latin and Jazz scene.
The Band’s eclectic repertoire is passionate, dynamic and eminently danceable: from the characteristically hot blooded tempos of Cuban Salsa and Brazilian Lambada, the traditional folk rhythms of Columbian cumbia and Dominican Merengue, to the latest Caribbean Reggae and universally popular Spanish style “Gypsy Kings”.
This all singing band includes the traditional latin rhythm section, piano, guitar, bass, congas, bongos and timbale. It is fronted by Adriana Santana who has become the “Queen of Salsa” in London captivating the audience with her magnetic voice and sensual dancing.
Over the years Palenke has toured: Switzerland (Montreaux Festival), France, Italy, Spain, Tunisia, Morocco, Malaysia, Indonesia, Ireland and Turkey. The band has performed for dignitaries such as Prince Charles, the late King Hussein of Jordan, King Juan Carlos of Spain and has become a spicy ingredient at hotels, clubs and many pop stars parties.
In the UK, the band is well known from North to South as a leading Latin band spreading Latin Fever from small to big audiences. Palenke has been invited to the Barbican Centre, the South Bank, The Edinburgh Festival and several TV shows.
