Leeds Beckett’s Professor Sue Miller to present her inaugural lecture on the influence of Latin music

Professor Sue Miller will give her inaugural professorial lecture, ‘Charanga, Pachanga and the Enduring Influence of Latin Music’, in the new state-of-the-art Leeds School of Arts building and will be followed by a live performance of Sue’s 12-piece Latin music band, Charanga del Norte, in the LSA theatre. The lecture and concert are presented as part of the LEEDS 2023’s Season One: Awakening showcase.

Latin music enthusiasts from Leeds and beyond will enjoy a one-day programme of exclusive events marking the LP launch of Charanga del Norte’s new record, Pachanga Time. The band was established in 1998 by Professor Sue Miller and has since performed nationally and internationally, being recognised as “the only 100 percent genuine charanga and pachanga band” in England (The Beat). The events are therefore an exciting and unique chance for people in Leeds and the wider region to experience live Latin dance music from one of the country’s top Latin bands.

Latin influence is everywhere in jazz and popular music, hiding in plain sight. In her inaugural lecture, Professor Sue Miller demonstrates how these Latin styles evolved historically. This lecture is part of Leeds Beckett University's Inaugural Professional Lecture Series.

Professor Sue Miller, Professor of Music at Leeds School of Arts, said: “The charanga band was hugely popular in 1950s Cuba with the mambo and chachachá all the rage internationally. Popularised in New York in the 1960s as ‘pachanga,’ the marketing of Latin music as ‘pachanga’ in the 1960s and then as ‘salsa’ in the 1970s onwards has obscured the charanga band’s key role in this rich history – something which this inaugural lecture expands on. The follow-on performance by ‘Charanga del Norte’ then demonstrates the charanga sound ‘en vivo’ with its riffing violins, clave-based percussion grooves and exuberant solos from flute, piano, violin and timbales. Music to listen to and music to dance to - come and join in the fun!”

The lecture will be followed by an exclusive reception marking the official opening of the Leeds School of Arts building. Professor Sue Miller will launch her latest book as part of the reception. On the same evening, at 18:30, there will be a live performance of Sue’s 12-piece Cuban dance band, Charanga del Norte. Charanga del Norte, the exciting sound of New York and Cuban charanga, is a traditional ensemble that plays Cuban dance music performed by violins, flute, piano, bass, singers and Latin American percussion.

Join Leeds Beckett University, Professor Sue Miller, and Leeds School of Arts, in celebrating the opening of the brand-new arts building and getting a taster of what it has to offer to the city. The day will mark the partnership between Leeds Beckett University and LEEDS 2023’s Year of Culture.

Leeds Beckett University is a Principal Education Partner of LEEDS 2023, playing an active role in the year of culture that will showcase the city’s creative industries and communities.