John, while I really like you, I have to respectfully disagree with you saying that a non Latino can never play Latin music well.

MAYBE a non Latino well not have the same flavor that a Latino has, but sometimes that can be a good thing in way. It sounds like your Italian sax buddy was well received at the Latino club, probably he added his on flavor to music, which can be refreshing. A fusion of sorts.

By the way, one of the hottest salsa bands of the 90's "La Orquetra de la Luz" was form Japan. Salsa with some Japanese flavor, really caught on big! Check them out: