Fuego Latino

Fuego Latino is made up of musicians from Colombia, Puerto Rico, U.S, Uruguay and plays a mix of tropical rhythms such as Salsa, Cumbia, Merengue & Bachata. The groups’ originator and founder is Alex Ballesteros a native of Cali, Colombia. Alex began playing professionally in his early teens and is both an accomplished piano and timbale player. One day while working on music charts and musical ideas, he came upon the notion that there was a call for a different type of tropical style salsa band. A musical idea that could be set apart from the others, by offering a mixed repertoire, be uniquely identifiable and have a transcending musical appeal. He put his plan into motion and met up with several other local musicians whom also shared similar interest, and ideas and began a series of rehearsals. A short time later the group made their debut on April 25 2003 to a packed house at Club Tropicali. The group created quite the “buzz” at this initial performance and was asked to do a monthly residency. The group quickly became a staple in the area and has performed numerous gigs at many of the local music clubs, festivals and private events. Collectively the core members of FUEGO LATINO have played at some of the mid-west largest music festivals to include, Milwaukee’s “Summerfest,” Oshkosh “Waterfest,” Rockford’s “On the Waterfront, Milwaukee’s ”Fiesta Mexicana International,” Madison’s “Fiesta Hispana,” Rockford’s “Fiesta Hispana,” Quad Cities Hornucopia, St Paul’s “Concord St. Cinco De Mayo Festival,” Washington Island Performing Arts Center and in the Madison area they have performed at Dane Dances, Taste of Madison, Willamson St. Fair, Orton Park Festival, Mifflin St. Block Party, UW Madison “Latin Music Series,” just to name a few. The groups’ influences include El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico, Sonora Carruseles, Fania All-Stars, Joe Arroyo, Fruko Y sus Tesos, Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Poncho Sanchez, Perez Prado, and have also shared the stage with such acclaimed artist as Grupo Niche, El Gran Combo, Poncho Sanchez, Chuchito Valdes, Rey Ruiz, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and David Clayton Thomas. Currently, the group is working on recording a CD and targeting a release date by mid-winter of 2009.