Charanga del Norte are described by Songlines as a ‘superb UK-based salsa and charanga band’ and by DJ John Armstrong (Bass Clef/BBC Radio2/BBE Records) as “the perfect happy-shot for the heart, brain and soul”. So you can expect an exciting night of mambo, son, chachacha, pachanga, danzón and bolero – infused with a French flavour in the first set of the evening.

The group are the only full charanga orchestra in the UK (a band line-up of flute, violins, cello, piano, bass, timbales drums, congas, güiro and singers) and have toured the UK for over 25 years. Founded by Sue Miller, who studied Cuban Flute with the legendary Richard Egües from Orquesta Aragón in Havana, the group have supported top international Cuban bands, including Buena Vista Social Club’s Eliades Ochoa in the main concert hall at The Bridgewater Hall, and Orquesta Aragón and Changüi de Guantánamo in London (Barbican).

For this special performance at City Varieties Music Hall, the band perform reworkings of Serge Gainsbourg’s Latin music from the 1950s and early 1960s alongside their new original material and Cuban charanga classics from both Havana and New York. They launch their new singles Caballo Charanguero and Pa’ La Escuelita alongside their new Serge Gainsbourg-inspired album Havanaise – exclusively at City Varieties.