The main attraction of the evening was Extra Large. Russell and Valerie Leal, the lead singer and percussion player of the band have a house in Shipwrecks and so are here often during the winter but the whole band is only in town a few times a year.

Russell knows how to work this audience – many of whom know him personally. With a wireless mike, he walks through the crowd of people dancing in front of the band. He is in constant interaction with the audience. Both he and Valerie are retired teachers and several people have commented on how wonderful it must have been to be one of their students. Extra Large adds a bit of reggae to the sound of many of the rock hits that they perform as well as modifying a few songs to fit the Baja experience. While playing for three hours, the crowd couldn’t get enough of them.

Here is their version of Funky Mambo.