Mestisa – Seven Arts, Chapel Alleton, Leeds – 13/5/16

After a family tea to say goodbye to Marisa (who’s off to travel around Europe and then India before starting Uni) we popped along to 7 in Chapel Allerton to see our favourite Latin American band Mestisa. Ana Luisa (Chile) Barbara (Germany) Tenley (USA) and Mike (UK) are a tight unit with a rich sound. They were joined for a few tunes by Matt Hurt whos delicate playing of the Cuban Tres added to the massive array of instruments used tonight (including a ‘Quatro’ that almost became a ‘Trio’ due to an irreverent string)

They do traditional songs from Chile, Venezuela, Bolivia, Argentina, Cuba, Mexico…..all with a little story to introduce each slice of South American life, and all with a ‘Mestisa’ twist. Happy fiesta songs and rebel worker songs rub shoulders with ‘day of the dead’ laments – all done with style and grace. I was particularly taken with (now a PhD in percussion) Dr Tenley’s exquisite played of the glockenspiel with 4 mallets – just amazing! The South Americans in the audience didn’t need any encouragement to clap and sing along and get up and dance….and by the end, even the reserved Brits were up dancing. A great night – Catch them next at the Leeds Flamenco Festival.

Bob the Chiropodist