Adrian and Jamez from "La Bomba" - Adelaide

BZ> How are you guys? Excited to be here?
ADRIAN: Pretty good… yeah, we are very excited to be here and to
show our Culture, our Knowledge and our Tradition to Sydney. It's a really
big Event and we're really happy to see how Australia is taking up all of our tradition,
our music and dancing.

BZ> Jamez, what do you think of the Congress? Tell us your experience so far?
JAMEZ: AAAZUCAR !! Hahaha..I love it ! It's been really good. It's just amazing
how for some people, Salsa has become like a Religion….Its amazing how they are
so passionate about Salsa.
And I really like that… I really do. And if I can just give a message out there to
everyone: Respect Every Style there is out there, Cuban, LA, New York, On 1,
On 2..whatever. We have to respect all the different styles and just enjoy them all.

BZ> I couldn't agree more because it really does get confusing sometimes
         with all the different styles.
         What advice would you give to a total Beginner?
JAMEZ: I keep telling my students over and over again, "Listen to the Music"…
when you're cooking, waiting for a bus, whatever you do, just Listen. I'm from
Columbia and you know we used to dance in the streets when I was a kid.
Also it was a great way to get the girls..Haha….so I used to listen to the Music
and home, and then go to the Disco's and ask the girls how to dance.
Then once you understand the music, combine the Technical aspect
and it all comes together.

BZ> Adrian, lets go back in time a little bit…
         Sydney Latin Fiesta last year in Sydney…as far as I remember,
         you guys Won an Award. Tell me about that?
ADRIAN: Oh yes me and Jamez won an Award for our group: Latin Flavour.
The Award was for "The most Popular Dance Group" picked by the audience.
We actually put a lot of hard work in that number considering we got told that we were going to
The Latin Fiesta only 2 weeks before, so we were training until Midnight every day to put something
together, in the short time that we had. I have done a lot of Performances all over the world but
at "La Bomba" we try to teach people how to dance and how to feel the music. I also think that
There are a lot of different styles out there and I personally have nothing against them,
but I try to tell my students that it's very important to "Go back to the Roots" of the
music. To understand the music and what it means and where it comes from
Most people when they learn they want to "show off" straight away so to speak…
But I say when you were born you didn't learn how to talk straight away,
you were not a "teacher" straight away, so in the same way, you need to
take your time to really understand the music, and to appreciate the "roots"
of the music and where it came from

BZ> And do you think that so far, the people in Sydney
         are understanding that?
ADRIAN: To be honest, I don't think so. I think that will take a bit more time.
The style that people are trying to promote is for "Show" point of view. But
I think its necessary to "go back" a bit more and understand the importance
of the historical background a bit more. And what we here at "La Bomba"
try and do is exactly that: to show people where and how the music
came from, as well as teach technique and style.

BZ> Which brings me to my next question… Tell me about the
         dance school and group "LA BOMBA"?
ADRIAN: It's represented by Nathalie Stansfield and Hugo Salcedo, they are
"the brains" behind "La Bomba". And Jamez and me are the Performers..
"The crazy guys". We try to promote Salsa but as well as the African, Caribbean,
as well as South American Culture. The group has been together for around 5 yrs and
based in Adelaide. We teach Salsa, Cha Cha Cha, Mambo, Folkloric Dances, Flamenco….etc.
it really is varied. We are not a company for people that just want to dance but it's a group that
gives people the opportunity to meet, socialize and to "let their hair down" so to speak.
It's a very "stress free" area the Salsa Scene, it makes you just relax and enjoy.

BZ> So what do you think of the Dancers in Sydney?
ADRIAN: I'm really proud to say how the Australians are getting along with
the whole Dance Scene, and how "Open Hearted" they are to our Culture and
our Music. We are the smallest community but seem to be the Biggest in some
things. I must admit I am really impressed with some people that are so keen to
learn, spend money on the costumes, classes and just want to be "the best" and
look good. But I would really like it even more if they learned to appreciate more,
where it all came from. That would really make me happy if we succeed in
passing that message across.
In regards, to the Congress, I think it has been very well organised, I'm quite
happy with the work and with what I've seen, and I had a great time.

BZ> So what does the future look like for "LA BOMBA"
JAMEZ: Personally, I would like to get into more dancing, not just
teaching, and with the help the entire crew from La Bomba, I think
we can only "better" ourselves. We also have a BIG Event coming up
in Adelaide: THE TROPICANA FESTIVAL. 22/23 Jan and are looking
forward to that. Last year we had over 15 thousand people, so we're
expecting the best. It's a Festival, with lots of dancing, competitions,
bands, performers…
This year we would like to focus a bit more on the Shows as well, which means more Shows.
ADRIAN: Me and Jamez have a big task together. We want to do a Huge Show with
African/Carabean/SAmerican Entertainers, combined with Food and Shows so it should be
something spectacular. For the Festival, its not going to be an easy task…I'm organising
a lot of things, its going to be a big Parade. Something as big as the Mardi Gras here in
Sydney. We can accommodate to everything and anything. Hugo Salcedo is a
great musician. As a matter of fact, he was nominated for 2 Grammy Awards
in Miami in 200/2001 with the Singer Toto and their Band so we do have
a lot of Talent in our group. We combine Music, Dance and Technique:
That is what "La Bomba" is.

BZ> Any last messages for the Sydney Salseros & Salseras?
JAMEZ: Just enjoy what you do and keep the Music and Tradition going.
Also a very big Thank You to LDA and the team, especially Marcia and
MisterSalsa for all their help and for inviting us and see you at the
FESTIVAL in Adelaide.