Play list
You need to upgrade your Flash Player
To view this content, JavaScript must be enabled, and you need a newer version of the Macromedia Flash Player.
Download the free Macromedia Flash Player now!
Download the free Macromedia Flash Player now!
Artist details
Info
Melena
World Renown Percussionist
Music is in her blood. Shaped from the rhythms that dance through her veins, Melena, born in Havana Cuba, has mastered the traditional rhythms that have traveled from Africa to Cuba, to the dance floors of America. Her Afro/Cuban sound is a conversation of melodies which she plays with fierce passion, whether on congas, timbales, or a range of other percussion instruments. As her musical vision is broad, she combines her talents with those of some of the most accomplished musicians performing today in genres that range from jazz to pop.
Melena's formal training began on the drums when she was a teenager. Master percussionist Luis Conte was instrumental in shaping her early development. In 1988, Melena returned to Cuba for the first time since leaving as a child. While in Cuba, Melena studied with the "Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba". She has also studied with the legendary percussionists and folklorists Mario Jauregui, Regino Jimenez and Lazaro Ros. This experience gave her a solid foundation, offering her a unique sound which is distinctly her own.
Music is in her blood. Shaped from the rhythms that dance through her veins, Melena, born in Havana Cuba, has mastered the traditional rhythms that have traveled from Africa to Cuba, to the dance floors of America. Her Afro/Cuban sound is a conversation of melodies which she plays with fierce passion, whether on congas, timbales, or a range of other percussion instruments. As her musical vision is broad, she combines her talents with those of some of the most accomplished musicians performing today in genres that range from jazz to pop.
Melena's formal training began on the drums when she was a teenager. Master percussionist Luis Conte was instrumental in shaping her early development. In 1988, Melena returned to Cuba for the first time since leaving as a child. While in Cuba, Melena studied with the "Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba". She has also studied with the legendary percussionists and folklorists Mario Jauregui, Regino Jimenez and Lazaro Ros. This experience gave her a solid foundation, offering her a unique sound which is distinctly her own.
During the years 1989 through 1994, Melena started to sit in with various local Latin groups in Los Angeles. Papo Conga was a most essential and important mentor. He first hired her on Congas and later on timbales giving her the opportunity to develop her skills as a percussionist. In 1995, Melena began to work with the late Kenny Kirkland and Jeff "Tain" Watts in a band designed to feature her abilities and that of bassist Nedra Wheeler. This era proved to be a turning point in that it challenged her desire to reach for greater dimensions and expand her percussion abilities in a jazz setting. In the following year, Melena would be found on a world tour with Barry White, which continued for two years.
In August of 1997, Melena returned to Cuba to continue her studies for six months. Her stay in Cuba afforded her the privilege of studying with Roberto Vizcaino Guillot, Miguel "Anga" Diaz, Jose Miguel Melendez and with master percussionists of Conjunto Clave y Guaguanco. Upon returning from Cuba, Melena recorded a PBS special with John Tesh in Europe called, "One World". From there she toured with Pop/R&B vocalist Macy Gray followed by Julio Iglesias.
In the Fall of 2000, Melena returned to Cuba for the third time. This time she traveled to Matanzas and focused her studies on bata drums with Master Daniel Herrera. In Havana she studied congas with Yaroldy Abreu and Adel Gonzales, percussionists with Chucho Valdes and Irakere. Jose "Pepe" Espinosa, percussionist with the Afro Cuban All Stars is also a good friend and mentor. She also had the privilege of playing with the group Irakere as well as several of the local Timba groups in Havana.
In May 2002 Melena conducted a clinic and concert perfomance at the Percussion Festival in San Juan Puerto Rico. Backup musicians for her live performances included Eric Figueroa, piano and musical director of Batacumbele. She also had the opportunity to play with friends like Richie Flores, Paoli Mejias and Javier Oquendo.
In the year 2004 Melena toured internationally with Latin Pop Artist, Chayanne. In 2005, Melena had the wonderful opportunity to peform at the NBA Finals and several live concerts with the legendary Stevie Wonder. Melena was also blessed to share the same stage with her biggest inspiration, Giovanni Hidalgo. Melena performed with her Afro Cuban band at the Ninth Annual Brownsville Latin Jazz Festival in Texas and also conducted a clinic at the Brownsville University.
Melena recently recorded with Peru Negro and has been invited to conduct a master class and performance at this years 2006 Montreal Drum Festival. Melena is presently recording her first album. Her dream is to travel the world, also to be a major contributor to the Afro/Cuban music legacy, sharing the richness of this culture with others. Festivals she has performed in the past include: Jazz at Drew, African Village Festival, Latin Music Festival and more.
www.melena.com
www.myspace.com/melenamusic
Melena recently recorded with Peru Negro and has been invited to conduct a master class and performance at this years 2006 Montreal Drum Festival. Melena is presently recording her first album. Her dream is to travel the world, also to be a major contributor to the Afro/Cuban music legacy, sharing the richness of this culture with others. Festivals she has performed in the past include: Jazz at Drew, African Village Festival, Latin Music Festival and more.
www.melena.com
www.myspace.com/melenamusic
Expand Blog
Rumbera Newsletter/Melena
Hi Everyone!
Would like to bring you up to date with some new projects.
Would love to see you at my upcoming gigs. Will be a fun hang.
I will be performing with Paris Escovedo from the Escovedo family of percussionists.
Friday, June 1
Paris Escovedo Project
La Ve Lee
12514 Ventura Blvd.
Van Nuys, Ca. 91604
Cover: $10.00 plus 2 drink minimum
Two Shows: 8:30pm and 10:30pm
Taumbu International Ensemble
Saturday, June 16th
Location: L.A. County Museum of Art
(LA Times Central Court)
Time: 5PM
Please check out my showcase pages at the following links:
Melena's Showcase
Melena & Sexteto Iyamile's Showcase
I'll keep you updated on any new developments. Thanks for your support.
Please check out my videos on youtube:
Much blessings,
Melena
Watch my videos from the Montreal Percussion Festival on You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sn5Zhferick&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55tdOe0JynI&mode=related&search=
Expand Shows
I will be performing as a special invited guest TONITE with
The Escovedo Project, lead by Paris Escovedo (of the Escovedo percussion family and son of Coke Escovedo of Santana fame):
La Ve Lee
12514 Ventura Blvd.
Van Nuys, Ca. 91604
Cover: $10.00 plus 2 drink minimum
Two Shows: 8:30pm and 10:30pm
12514 Ventura Blvd.
Van Nuys, Ca. 91604
Cover: $10.00 plus 2 drink minimum
Two Shows: 8:30pm and 10:30pm
HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE!!!
Expand 
Believer details
Comments
Post comment
Jul 31 2008 16:41 CET Nando Brasil
Hi, Melena..
Olá como estás ,,,,espero que esteja tudo bueno contigo...saludos, saudaciones, bestiales las musicas tuias
saudades de hablarmos ,,, estoy em débito contigo...quiero te mandar mi método de Pandeiro feito aqui no Brasil que estas nas lojas a venda,,,
Só gustaria que me escrevesse tu endereços no e-mail nando.barsil@gmail.c om para que te envie este método para me desculpar da demora ok.
Espero mantener contatcto contigo novamente...
Soy nuevo em Sell Band mi enderço www.sellband.com/nan do-brasil
Gracias,,,saludos...
Ps. Quando estarás tocando no Brasil ??? :)
Apr 18 2008 00:13 CET Papa Alfredo
Melena,, very much the cuban here and those rumbas parts. I enjoy very much your songs, keep that work alive.Greeting from Germany. Alfredo
Dec 01 2007 10:55 CET NOT ONLY
Great music- I like!!!
Many grettings from NOT ONLY!!!
Oct 11 2007 01:37 CET Kristen
Howdy!
Just wanted to pop in and give you a heads up on Sommersby's October Competition!
If you haven't already heard, the competition (hot on the heels of his recent neck-in-neck September fiesta) will offer 20 parts for the winner and is open to all artists that have $9999 or less in budget on 25 October.
This is a great opportunity for you. Let all your believers know you'd like to be nominated and encourage them to vote for you when the time comes.
Of course, if you'd like to, or you know someone who would like to, donate parts for the prizes in the Competition, just send (or have them send) Sommersby the details under a message marked “October Donation."
Hope you join in on the fun and GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!!
Jul 06 2007 16:55 CET Maarten
Good to see you're still around. You should update your profile more often! Im good, what about you?
Read all comments
Jul 31 2008 16:41 CET Nando Brasil
Hi, Melena..
Olá como estás ,,,,espero que esteja tudo bueno contigo...saludos, saudaciones, bestiales las musicas tuias
saudades de hablarmos ,,, estoy em débito contigo...quiero te mandar mi método de Pandeiro feito aqui no Brasil que estas nas lojas a venda,,,
Só gustaria que me escrevesse tu endereços no e-mail nando.barsil@gmail.c om para que te envie este método para me desculpar da demora ok.
Espero mantener contatcto contigo novamente...
Soy nuevo em Sell Band mi enderço www.sellband.com/nan do-brasil
Gracias,,,saludos...
Ps. Quando estarás tocando no Brasil ??? :)
Apr 18 2008 00:13 CET Papa Alfredo
Melena,, very much the cuban here and those rumbas parts. I enjoy very much your songs, keep that work alive.Greeting from Germany. Alfredo
Dec 01 2007 10:55 CET NOT ONLY
Great music- I like!!!
Many grettings from NOT ONLY!!!
Oct 11 2007 01:37 CET Kristen
Howdy!
Just wanted to pop in and give you a heads up on Sommersby's October Competition!
If you haven't already heard, the competition (hot on the heels of his recent neck-in-neck September fiesta) will offer 20 parts for the winner and is open to all artists that have $9999 or less in budget on 25 October.
This is a great opportunity for you. Let all your believers know you'd like to be nominated and encourage them to vote for you when the time comes.
Of course, if you'd like to, or you know someone who would like to, donate parts for the prizes in the Competition, just send (or have them send) Sommersby the details under a message marked “October Donation."
Hope you join in on the fun and GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!!
Jul 06 2007 16:55 CET Maarten
Good to see you're still around. You should update your profile more often! Im good, what about you?
Read all comments
