DJs
Henry Knowles
(Number 1 Salsa DJ in the World)
Henry Knowles, known as the world's top Salsa DJ, is the DJ’s disc jockey, spinning that tension-building beat and filling dancers with ánimo. With la clave in his heart and the music in his veins, he carries his passion for Latin culture and music in his work. This very special disc jockey's mixing abilities are unmatched and respected worldwide. His breadth of knowledge about Salsa music and its history, his music library, and ability to read his audience while creating un ambiente caliente have made Henry the Salsa community's most beloved disc jockey.
Henry tours the world, organizes his own events, does remixes and has been working with the most important names in the Latin music industry promoting, as well as managing, some of the best salsa performers and salsa bands. His background includes working with promotions for major recording labels, such as BMG, WEA, RMM, for artist such as; Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Christina Aguilera and has also worked with representation of artist such as; Marc Anthony, Ruben Blades, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Willy’s NYC Salsa Project and the legendary New Swing Sextet, for which Henry is executive producer of their 2008 Grammy Nominated CD release titled “Back on the Streets… Taste Of Spanish Harlem Vol 2.” under the Cotique/Fania recording label.
As the first official disc jockey for the Bacardi World Salsa Congress and the first world salsa congresses to ever be held around the world…Henry is the consummate professional with more than 25 years of experience catering to the serious Salsero. He has created remixes and compilations for the RMM recording label, including the popular Bacardi Salsa Congress compilation, which is still sold in record stores around the world.
Some recognitions and awards include: LaMusica.com Recognition Award (Copacabana, NY 2001), Andy Award (Puerto Rico 2002), Top Int’l DJ Award (UK 2003), Lifetime Achievement Award (Los Angeles, CA 2003), Latin Beat Magazine Honoree “Siempre Salsa Fest” (NYC 2003, 2005, 2006) & Int’l Salsa Ambassador Recognition (Eilat, Israel 2006)… to name a few.
Born in New York City’s ‘Spanish Harlem’ and of Puerto Rican descent, Henry's love for the music that makes his blood flow was born during the family parties in New York City and childhood summers in Puerto Rico. On this tropical island, and in New York City is where he found his soul—and learned to dance Salsa. A dancer, practically all his life—"My heart beats on clave" —he is known to hold his own and understands how to honor and inspire a Salsero on the dance floor. Henry has worked as a disc jockey, master of ceremonies, sound engineer, video jockey and promoter in major nightclubs and venues around the world throughout his career span.
DJ Henry Knowles' career nearly translates into Salsa evangelism as he spreads the beat and his love for Salsa rhythms on a global scale. His extensive travels include appearances in over 40 countries and 250 cities & islands throughout the United States, Canada, Caribbean, European Regions, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mexico, Central and South America — even Asia.
He believes his travels are also an opportunity to share his skills, talents and experience with aspiring disc jockeys. Admired as the "DJs DJ," Henry often holds workshops wherever he happens to be, sharing with his comrades how he works the floor and the latest and most effective mixing techniques.
For over four years, Henry Knowles promoted and hosted “Simply Salsa Mondays” at El Flamingo, which was recognized as New York City’s hottest Salsa dance party. Live music was featured every Monday and frequented by Salsa Lovers from all over the world. Some acts featured include names such as: Johnny Pacheco, Spanish Harlem Orch. with Ruben Blades, Larry Harlow, Azuquita, Johnny Colon & New Swing Sextet…to name a few. Henry now continues to host parties at Taj Lounge in NYC and his goal is to maintain Latin music present in NYC by introducing it to the Salsa dancers…especially the newcomers.
Salsa...Fuel for the Soul!
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Sebastien Chouillet (DJ Yorican)
Originally from France and Chile, Sebastien is a regular DJ in the Hong Kong Salsa scene who started his career in 2002 around the same time as when he started to teach Salsa. Through these years he has managed to collect over eighteen thousand Salsa songs. The initial purpose of the collection was to find good music to practice to, but little by little, he was overtaken by a collector's passion.
His debut as a professional DJ was when he was assisting SalsaChino in their small venues, through 2002 and 2003. Word of his selection spread rapidly and soon he was playing in the most popular Salsa clubs in Hong Kong.
Until 2006, he was a regular DJ for the HK Salsa Festival. He has also played in other Asian countries alongside well known Salsa DJs like Henry Knowles, local DJs and DJs around the globe.
He has played in major salsa events in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei and San Francisco.
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Dj Bosco
Although relatively new to the Asian Salsa Scene, Dj Bosco is certainly not new to Salsa itself having had been boyhood friends with such Latin Music legends as Joe Bataan, Johnny Colon (who was dating his sister), George Rodriquez (New Swing Sextet) Jerry and Andy Gonzalez of ‘Conjunto Libre’ fame and many, many others. During the last 5 years playing in Singapore he has raised the bar for local Dj’s to improve and widen their understanding and Latin music repertoire.
At a very early age Dj Bosco was swinging at all of New York City’s top Salsa clubs and was a respected dancer and member of NYC’s elite salsa community of that time and is still revered as such when he returns to ‘The Big Apple’. Partying at clubs such as Colgate Gardens, The Embassy Ballroom, Basin Street East, The Tropicana and The Hunts Point Place, the Palm Gardens, Riverside Plaza, Chez Jose, Manhattan Center Dj Bosco developed his Salsa chops and has never looked back.
During these ‘Golden Years of Salsa’ Dj Bosco made close and sometimes personal acquaintances with many of great Salsa musical legends such as Tito Puente, Tito Rodriquez (and used to club with his daughter Cindy), Cheo Feliciano, Joe Cuba, Eddie Palmieri and too many more to mention.
This year alone (2009) DJ Bosco has played throughout the region at such clubs as Sheraton Hotel’s ‘Chimes’ nightclub on the tropical Island of Langkawi, April 2009, Club Zenzi Mills and Club Zenzi Bandra, Mumbai India April 2009, Club Paraw & Club Ariel’s House on the beautiful Island of Boracay, Philippines May 8 and 9th 2009, Singapore’s Union Square Salsa Club, Salsa Havana, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, The Malaysian International Salsa Congress Sunway Pyramid, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and more.
Although relatively new to the Asian Salsa Scene, Dj Bosco is certainly not new to Salsa itself having had been boyhood friends with such Latin Music legends as Joe Bataan, Johnny Colon (who was dating his sister), George Rodriquez (New Swing Sextet) Jerry and Andy Gonzalez of ‘Conjunto Libre’ fame and many, many others. During the last 5 years playing in Singapore he has raised the bar for local Dj’s to improve and widen their understanding and Latin music repertoire.
At a very early age Dj Bosco was swinging at all of New York City’s top Salsa clubs and was a respected dancer and member of NYC’s elite salsa community of that time and is still revered as such when he returns to ‘The Big Apple’. Partying at clubs such as Colgate Gardens, The Embassy Ballroom, Basin Street East, The Tropicana and The Hunts Point Place, the Palm Gardens, Riverside Plaza, Chez Jose, Manhattan Center Dj Bosco developed his Salsa chops and has never looked back.
During these ‘Golden Years of Salsa’ Dj Bosco made close and sometimes personal acquaintances with many of great Salsa musical legends such as Tito Puente, Tito Rodriquez (and used to club with his daughter Cindy), Cheo Feliciano, Joe Cuba, Eddie Palmieri and too many more to mention.
This year alone (2009) DJ Bosco has played throughout the region at such clubs as Sheraton Hotel’s ‘Chimes’ nightclub on the tropical Island of Langkawi, April 2009, Club Zenzi Mills and Club Zenzi Bandra, Mumbai India April 2009, Club Paraw & Club Ariel’s House on the beautiful Island of Boracay, Philippines May 8 and 9th 2009, Singapore’s Union Square Salsa Club, Salsa Havana, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, The Malaysian International Salsa Congress Sunway Pyramid, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and more.
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DJ Dahan
Dhana has been in the Entertainment scene for the past 25 years. His vast experience steams from his wide understanding and knowledge obtained during his pioneering years. Working his way up from established companies in the 80's till the 90's. Famous Entertainment Organizations like Solosa Sound Services and Music Force well known for churning out names like, The Flying Dutchman, William Xavier (Mr. X) Hamesh Brown, Moe Alkaff to name a few, Dhana roots is indeed in good company, firmly planted, always growing from strength to strength.
Dhana has travelled abroad numerous times representing the said Organizations to manage, organize as well as DJ at prestigious events like The STPB Cultural Show held in Sydney, Australia as well as the launch of the Famous NASA Disco in Taipei and FIRE Disco in Jakarta. Locally he has featured his brand of music at many clubs and events in Singapore. National event SWING SINGAPORE and numerous high profiled STPB events.
The turning point came in 1994 when he was tasked to spin at the Culture Club's outlet called Espania it was then Spore's first Latin club.
It was there that his love of Salsa music grew. Numerous research and his never ending thirst for the music and fuelled by his exuberance for the music he soon became the epitome of Latin music in Singapore. Indeed he is truly the First local Latin DJ in Singapore. By absorbing and observation of the plentiful guest DJs from South America engaged at the club, he soon developed his own style and was able hold his own, standing proud next to the many overseas star DJs.
In 1996 he was engaged at the then Famous Latin clubs Mambo Kings Bar & Restaurant/Escobar/Bosa Nova. He was also involved in scouting and engaging Foreign Latin artistes to perform at the clubs. This also increased his understanding and experience of this unique and passionate brand of music especially his main love, SALSA. Armed with this experience he was unsurpassed when it came to Latin Music.
Soon he was the most requested DJ whenever there was a need for this brand of music. He adds the energy and enthusiasm clubbers want at their events. He knows how to play the right music from a dance perspective to discern the crowd and keep the dance floor filled! Because Dhana started as a pioneer Disco DJ and then fell in love with the Latin mix, he plays the best of all styles of music: from Disco to Salsa, Big Band to Hip Hop, whatever you need to move your soul! He also takes the effort to check on the crowd and their likes and comments and with that knowledge he is able to transform it to cater and adapt that into his music play list.
Never afraid to introduce new songs and always on the look out to inject the latest Latin forms of dance music into the nights dance tunes. This man has and will be the milestone of the Salsa culture in Singapore. His unique understanding of the crowds taste and preference by just observation during the dance sets, he is able to cater the right mix formula escalating the night into a climatic fever pitch that will leave the clubbers wanting more long after the club has closed for the night. Keeping his music fresh and his uncanny anticipation of the crowd's taste enables him to play the best in Salsa music every night; this is indeed the true attribute that places Dhana in a class of his own.
If there is a venue or event that has Latin Music as the theme you will always find Dhana an integral part of it at one point or another.
At the Festival he will share with you his style that has made him what he is today. Singapore is very proud to present our local boy made Salsa Good at the Singapore International Salsa Festival 2006 and 2007.
Catch him on all 3 nights and be transported to a Salsa high with his musical tribute to the Salsa greats. Let him get you truly Salsa Addicted He is also a lifetime member of the DJ's Salsa Addiction Faculty.
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DJ Joseph
DJ Joseph started his journey as a Salsa DJ in Dec 2006 when he was invited to spin for Groove Dance School’s year end party at DXO @Esplanade to a full capacity crowd. Taking his new found passion to the next level, he took part in his very first DJ competition, “Singapore Top Salsa DJ competition 2007” organised by Union Square (“Home of the Latin Beats”) and was placed in the top 3. Since then, his 100% dedication, reliability and ability to deliver has seen him establishing himself in the local scene spinning regularly at clubs and events as well as at several overseas gigs!
Always keen to grow and broaden his experiences, he seeks out opportunities to spin internationally as well. His overseas stints include spinning in Tel Aviv, Israel and also in The Londoner, Taichung and Barbados, Taipei where he was specially invited by Gino Mayaute, an active promoter of Salsa in Taiwan who had also invited renowned DJs like Henry Knowles to spin for a young and growing salsa community. In Singapore, he is a familiar DJ at Union Square and had previously served a stint at Azzucar, Clarke Quay playing for the Friday night crowds playing a wide range of Latin genres. He is currently the resident DJ of Lazy Sundays@ Movida at St James Power Station and also previously in Bellini Grande, a posh supper club that also has its affiliation with St James Power Station, currently Singapore’s top entertainment and clubbing hub. At the 2008 Singapore International Salsa Festival, highly respected and well known sonero Frankie Vasquez gave DJ Joseph the thumbs up for his well received set!
DJ Joseph prides himself on his ability to feel the pulse of the dance floor. An avid Salsa dancer himself, he is able to read the crowd on the dance floor and play just the right music to get dancers moving, generating the right flow to keep them craving for more. He knows what dancers want and he gives them what they expect!
DJ Joseph is always exploring other genres of Latin music and expanding his collection, introducing the latest Latin music to dancers of all levels. His never ending quest is to be a versatile Latin DJ who can cater to the tastes of music lovers of all Latin genres. This passionate DJ is raring to share his vast collection of music tracks with his audiences! DJ Joseph is someone you can count on for a fantastico time on the dance floor!
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DJ Jason
Jason has been an active Salsa DJ since 2003. Starting from guest sessions in the local clubs, he has moved on to become an acknowledged and respected DJ in the salsa scene, with a growing international stature.
Jason's experience as a dancer and performer and his appreciation of the music allows him to pick songs that alternately tease, cajole and challenge salseros to dance, keeping the crowd dancing the whole night long. It is this that has made him one of the most successful and sought after of local salsa djs so much so that when he spins, the local dancers are confident of getting a great selection of music to dance to.
He has also spun to great acclaim overseas, both in clubs and at salsa events, the most recent being the 1st Taipei Salsa Festival. He has DJ-ed together with world reknowned Salsa DJs such as Henry Knowles and Nelson Torres. Jason has also been the closing act for the 1st and 2nd Singapore International Salsa Festival, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Malaysia Salsa Festival and the 1st Taipei Salsa Festival bringing a successful close to all of these events.
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