San Lazaro

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A refreshing change from the average Latin band, San Lazaro are bringing to the forefront some of the richest South American, Afro Cuban and Caribbean folkloric rhythms and fusing them with funk, rock, reggae and hip-hop to create an entirely original yet distinctly Latin style forged in the cultural melting pot of Melbourne, Australia. Seen on the lineup of WOMADelaide 2007, Bellingen Global Carnival, Queenscliff and Woodford Folk Festival, the “Mestizos Urbanos” (urban mixed races) of San Lazaro are making a fierce musical impact with an uplifting message of cultural acceptance and unity with a punch line of piercing horns and driving percussion.

"Every once in a long while, a band comes that has the hybrid in music that brings people from all walks of life together. We will discover with San Lazaro that in the audience, lives blend with their music which celebrates life, and makes you move and dance." Asdru Sierra, Ozomatli.

Their debut album "Mestizos Urbanos" has earmarked San Lazaro are serious newcomers to the contemporary world music market attracting positive reviews and radio airplay on ABC radio national, Triple J and community radio Australia wide and abroad with a track making Rolling Stone Australia’s “Rolling Stone Reccomends…” Sample Cd in their April 2007 edition.

“San Lazaro is a world-class Latin band. They play with considerable panache, and impressive enthusiasm and exuberance.” Rhythms magazine.

(Swingo is..) "a tough, grooving piece of Afro-Latin funk from the debut album by Melbourne up and coming group of urban mestizos who - in typical Australian fashion - hail from Chilean, Spanish, Greek, Irish, Mauritian, Iranian and Indian backgrounds" Brent Clough, The Daily Planet. ABC National Radio

“This is the best Latin album I have heard this year. It's killer. This album often plays before we go out then when we get home, and has been the soundtrack to many wicked nights.”
Felix Reibl, The Cat Empire.