Jazz Orishas by Melvis Santa, Rashaan Carter, Marcus Gilmore, Vinicius Gomes and Josh Evans
Vocalist, pianist, composer and bandleader Melvis Santa introduces her new album and unit Jazz Orishas, a bold stance on women’s perspective in Afro-Cuban jazz music today.
The quintet brings together stellar musicians such as drummer Marcus Gilmore, bassist Rashaan Carter, guitarist Vinicius Gomes and trumpeter Josh Evans. Afro Cuban master percussionist Rafael Monteagudo appears as a special guest. The band’s lively sound defies boundaries by honoring cohesiveness and self-identity at once.
Jazz Orishas tells stories that center female intuitiveness, rooted in Melvis’ culture, life experiences and artists who inspire her journey. The track list is made of original compositions and poems written by herself, who leads with graceful vocals and expressive piano performance throughout the entirety of the album. As a result, the music is utterly personal and embodies multiple dimensions. The lyrics explore Afrocubanismo poetry infused with jazz poetry, inviting the listener to a bilingual, far reaching experience.
From the artist:
10 years after moving from my Santa Habana to New York, absorbing the dynamics of this fascinating city from within, I urged myself to record again some new music. Dedicated to the lineage of invaluable women and men who raised me, this record comes both as a celebration and a statement of who and what my work represents.
Everything about Jazz Orishas is multidimensional. From the concept to the exceptional musicians who’ve joined me in this venture. The album is a rebirth and call. May it be to connect us all and reach beyond. Aché!
“Mi música es mía,
Mía para cantar
Y como tal es mi historia:
Mía para contar.
Es rosal de mis espinas,
Es mi espina dorsal.”
- Melvis Santa (poem excerpt: Todo lo que soy)
Tracklist
| 1. | Swing Poem: My Music is Mine (to Abbey Lincoln) | 2:01 |
| 2. | Todo Lo Que Soy | 2:38 |
| 3. | Arere, fuerza ancestral | 3:50 |
| 4. | Deniyé (Little bell) | 3:29 |
| 5. | Canto de Amor | 5:57 |
| 6. | Utterance (Shell interlude) | 1:41 |
| 7. | Ocean At Night | 6:14 |
| 8. | Kawo (The Call) | 5:27 |
| 9. | Peace of Mind (Orí Meditation) | 1:55 |
| 10. | Swing Poem II: Mother of Crowns | 2:20 |
| 11. | Quirino con su Tres | 2:28 |
Credits
Producer: Melvis Santa
Executive Producers: NYC Women’s Fund & Melvis Santa
Piano and vocals: Melvis Santa
Bass: Rashaan Carter
Drums: Marcus Gilmore
Guitar: Vinicius Gomes
Trumpet: Josh Evans
All music compositions, lyrics and poems written by Melvis Santa, except "Quirino con su tres" (Nicolás Guillén/Emilio Grenet).
Recorded The Bunker Studio, Brooklyn NY
Engineer: Todd Carter. Assistant: Henry Soults
Mixed by Todd Carter
Mastered by Alex DeTurk
Photography: Fernando Rodriguez /Nobody Studio
Cover artwork and design: Kate Kaznadey
License
All rights reserved.
Grammy Nominee singer-songwriter, multidisciplinary artist and educator from La Habana, Cuba, At 14 Melvis made a splash founding the all-female vocal collective Sexto Sentido. After, she joined seminal fusion band Interactivo. In 2012 Melvis spread wings and started her own band Santa Habana. Currently based in New York she continues to make a mark as an on-demand performer and educator.