Meneo Music and Meuvete Oxford present: Tristan Butler y Timba Británica 2025 UK Tour: TIMBA REVOLUTION, The Golden Era of Cuban Salsa

In March 2024, Tristan Butler called together the best young UK jazz musicians, combined them with the top Latino musicians in London and formed the UK’s biggest Cuban Salsa orchestra – Timba Británica.

The 15 piece, cross cultural power house is dedicated to performing the intricate, groove based arrangements of Cuban Salsa – an intoxicating mix of son, rumba, salsa, funk and rock, all played by 15 of the most sought after session musicians in the UK. Now performing and recording a mix of originals and covers or Isaac Delgado, Los Van Van, Buena Vista Social Club, Manolito Sibonet and more!

If you missed their gig at The Bullingdon last August, they’re absolutely spectacular! Expect a night of dancing to the best Cuban/salsa music from London-based, international artists. The night starts with an optional class, with Fabhiola and Ram, suitable for beginners, so bring your friends!

Certainly an event not to be missed!

Full info
Tickets (skiddle)
(or via o2)

Full information:

In this 90 minute concert, 15 piece Cuban Salsa Orchestra – Timba Británica will play a selection of Cuba’s biggest hits from the 1990’s hailed as the ‘Golden era in the Cuban Salsa’ from bands such as Los Van Van de Cuba, Manolito Simmonet Y su Trabuco, Manolin el Medico de la Salsa, NG La Banda, La Charanga Habanera and Issac Delgado.

Having been called “the most exciting band to emerge on the UK Latin Scene in decades..”, Timba Británica was formed in 2024 comprised of best young UK jazz musicians combined with the top Latino musicians in London. In their first year they headlined the Latino stage at Glastonbury, performed a UK tour in collaboration Grammy Award winning vocalist, Mayito Rivera, headlined the UK Havana Salsa Festival and sold out their debut performance at the famous Pizza Express Jazz club in London.

“the cultural duality lies in the blend of players from both countries… an intoxicating blend of son, salsa, rock and funk” – JAZZ WISE
This event is in collaboration with Muevete Oxford who will bring this night of Cuban dance and music to Oxford. Free Cuban Dance classes will be provided by Fabiola and RAM from SalsaFab.

⏰ Event Timings:
6:30pm: DOORS
7:30PM: DANCE CLASSES
8:30PM: SOCIAL DANCE
9:00PM: LIVE SHOW
11:00PM: CURFEW

EVENT BIO FULL

After having played in the UK Latin scene for over 10 years, drummer and percussionist Tristan Butler (UK) had established himself as one of London’s most in-demand Latin percussionists. Spending much of his time in Cuba studying with the drummers and percussionists of Havana’s top bands such as Alain Perez Orchestra, Manolin el Medico de la Salsa, Formell y Los Van Van, El Noro y 1ra Clase, Azucar Negra and Haila Mompié, Tristan was developing his own unique style to Cuban timba playing calling from his Jazz fusion upbringing mixed with in-Cuba training.

In March 2024, Tristan called together the best young UK jazz musicians, combined them with the top Latino musicians in London and formed the UK’s biggest Cuban Salsa orchestra – Timba Británica.

The 15 piece, cross cultural power house is dedicated to performing the intricate, groove based arrangements of Cuban Salsa – an intoxicating mix of son, rumba, salsa, funk and rock, all played by 15 of the most sought after session musicians in the UK.

Within the group’s first 6 months they had recorded a series of Live Sessions at Terminal Studios in London, Headlined the Latino stage at Glastonbury, performed a UK tour in collaboration with Ex-Los Van Van, Grammy Award winning vocalist, Mayito Rivera, headlined the UK Havana Salsa Festival and sold out their debut performance at the famous Pizza Express Jazz club in London.

“the cultural duality lies in the blend of players from both countries… an intoxicating blend of son, salsa, rock and funk” – JAZZ WISE
In May 2025,Tristan Butler y Timba Británica are back with a new project: TIMBA REVOLUTION, The Golden Era of Cuban Salsa.

This 90 minute concert celebrates the Cuban timba revolution in the 1990’s where an explosion of creativity and innovation by the Cuban salsa bands made the biggest leap in development in the sound of modern salsa and later was defined as it’s own genre, Timba.

With bigger bands, mixture of electronic and acoustic instruments and more complex arrangements, the sound of Timba was revolutionary and became a THE sound of progressive Latin music throughout Latin America and remains one the most popular genres across the south American and Latin American world.

Timba Británica will play some of the biggest hits from the 1990’s hailed as the ‘Golden era in the Cuban Salsa’ (TIMBA.COM) from bands such as Los Van Van de Cuba, Manolito Simmonet Y su Trabuco, Manolin el Medico de la Salsa, NG La Banda, La Charanga Habanera and Issac Delgado.

This event is in collaboration with Meneo Music and SalsaFab Oxford.

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