Cuban Social Club

The act

Cuban Social Club is a Sydney-based Latin band.

The first thing you’ll notice is how quickly this turns a room towards Havana, with traditional Cuban styles like son, cha cha cha, guaracha and changüí at the centre of the sound. Founded by Cuban musician Richard Ortega, Cuban Social Club leans into Latin rhythm and Cuban character rather than a generic party band approach. The line-up combines bass, keyboards shaped to guitar and tres sounds, congas, bongo and a trumpet player who also sings lead, so there’s plenty of movement in it before anyone steps onto the dance floor. For a wedding, this makes particular sense around canapés, dinner or any stretch where you want people to loosen up and actually feel the rhythm. Especially right for couples who want Latin music to be part of the wedding’s identity, not just a passing colour.

What it costs