Uploaded January 2015 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Manteca: Latin Funk Sensation
Formed by sexy Colombian singer Martha Acosta and bass guitarist/MD Don Fiora (Javier Fioramonti) for the Hogmanay festival in Edinburgh 2001. Manteca proved to be at the cutting edge of the Latin scene, leading over 3,000 people at the World Music Stage "salsa-ing" into the New Year with their unique style of Urban Latin Funk.
Since then Manteca has become well known for creating a party mood at numerous festivals and gigs including the Coin St. Festival London, Rhythms of the City festival Leeds, Ecorhythms Festival and many more.
Martha's love for music is simply in her genes. The daughter of a musician and fun loving “Barranquillero” she was dancing and singing ‘musica tropical’ from an early age. More recently, she not only formed the all-female Latin outfit 'Candela', but also sang lead vocals for bands such as 'Roberto Pla's Latin Ensemble'.
Manteca's personnel are all luminaries on the UK Latin scene. The rhythm section comprises powerful drummer Vancho Manoilovich, Satin Singh on congas, and Dave Oliver on keys. In the brass section, Manteca has three top names: trumpeters Paul Jayasinha and Simon Finch, on saxes Ben Somers and Robin Harris on Trombone.
Manteca: Latin Funk Sensation
Formed by sexy Colombian singer Martha Acosta and bass guitarist/MD Don Fiora (Javier Fioramonti) for the Hogmanay festival in Edinburgh 2001. Manteca proved to be at the cutting edge of the Latin scene, leading over 3,000 people at the World Music Stage "salsa-ing" into the New Year with their unique style of Urban Latin Funk.
Since then Manteca has become well known for creating a party mood at numerous festivals and gigs including the Coin St. Festival London, Rhythms of the City festival Leeds, Ecorhythms Festival and many more.
Martha's love for music is simply in her genes. The daughter of a musician and fun loving “Barranquillero” she was dancing and singing ‘musica tropical’ from an early age. More recently, she not only formed the all-female Latin outfit 'Candela', but also sang lead vocals for bands such as 'Roberto Pla's Latin Ensemble'.
Manteca's personnel are all luminaries on the UK Latin scene. The rhythm section comprises powerful drummer Vancho Manoilovich, Satin Singh on congas, and Dave Oliver on keys. In the brass section, Manteca has three top names: trumpeters Paul Jayasinha and Simon Finch, on saxes Ben Somers and Robin Harris on Trombone.
