Sean Bellaviti & Conjunto Lacalu: Toronto Mambo CD release

¡Toronto tiene su cosa! (“Toronto has its thing”) is how Chicago-based journalist Catalina Maria Johnson recently described the salsa scene in Canada’s most populous city.

Since the 1990, Toronto’s salsa musicians have evolved from performing mainly in cover bands to being part of accomplished ensembles with original repertoires and distinct, identifiable styles. Toronto Mambo captures the tremendous creativity that is currently unfolding in Toronto and that can be heard weekly at the Latin and world venue, Lula Lounge.

Pianist Sean Bellaviti has gathered 18 of Toronto’s top salsa musicians and invited special guests Jimmy Bosch and Herman Olivera to record 10 tracks that are destined to become classics for on dance floors in Toronto and around the world.

The album was produced by Bellaviti’s long-time collaborator, multi-instrumentalist Luis Orbegoso, who has shaped the sound of many other Toronto Latin projects including Patricia Cano, The Lula All Stars and Ruben Esguerra’s A New Tradition.

The album is now available by on iTunes or by mail order ($20 including shipping) by emailing info@lula.ca.