Latin Vibe

Latin Vibe is an engaging musical group who artfully combine Cuban, Brazilian, Argentinian music with Jazz featuring the unique instrumentation of keyboard percussion. Latin Vibe highlights two relatively rare keyboard percussion instruments known as the Vibraphone and Marimba which are played holding two sticks or "mallets" in each hand which results in a rich and full sound along with a visually stunning performance. These instruments can be backed by a full band comprising up to Upright Bass, Congas/Percussion, Woodwinds and Drumset. The group is led by keyboard percussion specialist Dave Kemp who draws on his extensive experience performing in Australia, Europe and the USA.  He is backed by some of Queensland's most in demand musicians who are all world class performers with extensive experience both here in Australia and abroad. 

 

Latin Vibe has an energetic and colourful approach that delights audiences at every performance along with a broad appeal and versatility as they present material from the rich Latin musical heritages. Their material includes the music of such countries as Brazil, Cuba, Argentina and Mexico whilst also incorporating the energy and creative flair of Jazz to create a unique musical style best described as "World Jazz Fusion". Their repertoire draws on original and modern arrangements of classics by Latin greats such as Tito Puente, Chucho Valdez, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Michel Camilo along with Latin fused arrangements of material by the great composers of Jazz including Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock among many others.

 

Latin Vibe's unique style and musical sensibilities set the proper mood in a wide array of settings - When the audience demands high energy dance music the group delivers a whole lot of rhythm just right for an all night rhumba party and when the audience dictates quieter, more cerebral music, Latin Vibe's commanding instrumental ability and musical finesse fits the bill. The group is committed to making their music accessible to venues that cannot support a larger group for reasons of volume, space, or economics through their flexibility as either a duo, trio or quartet.

 

Dave Kemp is an experienced professional musician both throughout Australia and abroad, having pursued further formal study beyond his Queensland Conservatorium orchestral percussion degree at the Berklee College of Music in Boston USA. He has presented performances whilst in the USA and toured Europe including performances in London and Paris. It was his initial grounding in the discipline and solid technique required of an orchestral musician which has enabled him to specialize on instruments traditionally more at home in jazz clubs and world music festivals than concert halls – namely the vibraphone or “vibes” and its wooden keyed relative the marimba. These instruments are played holding two sticks or "mallets" in each hand which results in a rich and full sound along with a visually stunning performance. Dave was the house percussionist for the most recent seasons of The Lion King in Sydney and Brisbane.

 

The creativity and freedom of improvisation found in jazz and ethnic music has always been an inspiration to Kemp and it was only a matter of time till he made vibes and marimba his main musical pursuit.