Okay, it's now official. I am naming conga drums as my all-time favourite instrument (a position previously held by the kazoo) – and it's all thanks to Willy Torres and his NYC Salsa Project.

Torres is not a household name here in Bermuda, nor many other places in the English-speaking world.

But for fans of Latin music (and on this Island there are many), the 33-year-old band leader, originally from Puerto Rico, is already becoming something of a legend.

On Saturday night he and his group showed those gathered in the Mid-Ocean Amphitheatre a fabulous time, mixing up a heady cocktail of addictive drum beats and killer tunes.

The evening of fun – hosted by SalsaMania Productions – didn't come cheap for participants.

Tickets were $95 each, which included the concert, a short performance beforehand from local magician Marshall Weller and dancing until the small hours to tunes spun by New York DJ Nelson Torres.

But everyone there seemed delighted at the chance to watch a real-live Latin band in Bermuda and determined to get their money's worth.

The Project played a lengthy and hugely upbeat set and there was barely a moment during it when the dance floor wasn't filled with swirling couples.

Sadly, I can't tell you what Torres sang about as it was all in Spanish, save for a fantastic and fiery version of 'Hit the Road Jack'.

But his drumming was incredible – really awe-inspiring to watch and almost impossible to listen to while sitting still.

The powerful, rich sound of the congas, pounded out by a master like Torres, just makes you itch to dance.

Having briefly tried my hand at learning Afro-Cuban percussion on the conga drums earlier this year with local teacher Calvin Worrell (himself an excellent player), I can confirm that it is far from easy.

Torres made it look easy – just as his six-piece ensemble played salsa seemingly effortlessly, and with an enormous sense of fun.

I was caught up enough in the sound to attempt a dance or two myself, timid salsa beginner that I am.

And even though the first go saw my partner and I try unwittingly to dance salsa to what someone told me afterwards was a bachata beat (a horrible sensation; how I imagine it must feel to run a marathon in the opposite direction to everyone else taking part in the race), later attempts were slightly more successful.

As the instructors at Sabor Dance School repeatedly tell those who take their classes: it's all about having a good time.

Thanks to Torres and his band of accomplished musicians, Saturday night was certainly that.