Cariño Son
Cariño Son is a six piece Latin band playing traditional Cuban Guarachas, Son and Boleros. Their infectious rhythms and melodies have people dancing wherever they play. The line up consists of double bass, congas, bongos, guitar and Tres, saxophone, vocals and percussion.
Kaz Dalla Rosa
Kaz has been playing harmonica for 19 years and was a founding member of “The Mojos”, who played the Australian pub and festival circuit for 16 years. She has performed and guested with various local and international artists including Trudy Lynne, Sapphire, Phil Manning, Kerri Simpson, Geoff Achison, Fiona Boyes, Lil’ Fi and many others. She has also supported many international acts like Katie Webster, Sapphire, Patrick Ford Band and Legends of the Mississipi Delta. Festival performances include The East Coast Blues and Roots Festival, Narooma Festival, Wangaratta Jazz Festival, Port Fairy, Apollo bay.
Kaz has won awards for her harmonica playing and was nominated harmonica player of the year at the Goulburn Blues festival awards alongside such peers as Chris Wilson, Jim Conway and Ian Collard. She was also invited to judge the famous Golden Harmonica Awards at the Tamworth Country Music Festival in 2004.
For the last three years, Kaz has focused on Latin music and now is the lead singer in Cariño Son . From a slow bolero to an up tempo son or guaracha, Kaz’ unique voice and interpretation lends a distinctly beautiful quality to the band.
Marina Novelli
Marina started her musical career some twenty years ago playing guitar in one of Melbourne’s first all-girl rock bands. She has since worked in duos, trios and larger ensembles playing a variety of musical styles. A trip to Havana in 2003 galvanized her love of Cuban music. She took tres and guitar lessons with some master musicians and is delighted to be playing with Cariño Son
Emelia Wilmot
Emelia began her musical career as a traditional jazz saxophonist at the age of 9, securing her first jazz residency at the age of twelve. Since then, she has played at many local and international venues and festivals, including South America, France, Morocco and two trips to Cuba with a wide range of performers and musical styles. Emelia now practices as a Registered Music Therapist working in Special Education, adolescent and adult mental health, and refuges for young women, as well as furthering her musical performance career.
Henry Saavedra
Commencing his musical career at the age of fifteen, Henry has a rich history of musical experiences. He plays a variety of musical styles, including Andean, Brasilian and Mariachi and Cuban. While residing in Japan he formed a Cuban band with members including Perdro Valles (form Maraca fame) and Julio Padrontro. He has also recorded with a variety of world class musicians including Dave Valentin (flautist with Tito Puente) and Ludwig Nunez (conguero from Baboleo).
Henry plays Guitar and the Tiple in Cariño Son and also adds to the vocals. His musicianship brings a dynamic force to the band.
Stephen Hornby
Stephen has been playing double bass and electric bass for 7 years. He is currently studying Music Performance at the Victorian College of the Arts and plays in a number of groups of varying musical genres. His passion for the music of Cuba is evident in the rhythmic drive that his double bass playing brings to the band.
Kent Windress
Kent developed a love of Latin and world music while studying music at university while playing drum kit in many bands including rock, folk country and latin genres. Later he twice visited Cuba and studied congas, timbales, cajons, bata and drum kit with various teachers including Changuito and Ramses Barralt, who played kit with Chucho Valdes and Ibrahim Ferrer.