melena@melena.com

Melena
Melena
  • HOME
  • BIOGRAPHY
  • EVENTS
  • EDUCATION
  • MUSIC
  • VIDEO
  • BIOGRAFIA
  • SEPTETO NACIONAL
  • More
    • HOME
    • BIOGRAPHY
    • EVENTS
    • EDUCATION
    • MUSIC
    • VIDEO
    • BIOGRAFIA
    • SEPTETO NACIONAL

melena@melena.com

  • HOME
  • BIOGRAPHY
  • EVENTS
  • EDUCATION
  • MUSIC
  • VIDEO
  • BIOGRAFIA
  • SEPTETO NACIONAL

Melena

MelenaMelenaMelena

Cuban Percussionist

Español

About

Multi-Talented Percussionist

Afro Cuban Jazz and Salsa Band

Multi-Talented Percussionist

Melena born in Havana, Cuba is an accomplished percussionist and educator of Afro Cuban music.  Her Afro-Cuban sound is a conversation of melodies that she plays with fierce passion. Melena is a multi-talented percussionist who plays congas, timbales, bata drums, and shekere. She is an artist who exemplifies the sound of legendary players from the past, while combining the modern sounds of today. Melena is proud to be endorsed by LP, Remo, Sabian, and Vic Firth .

Afro Cuban Music Educator

Afro Cuban Jazz and Salsa Band

Multi-Talented Percussionist

Melena studied ethnomusicology at UCLA, where she received her B.A. and M.A. degrees, graduating with honors. Her research was on “The Influence of Abakuá music in Cuban Rumba."  As a Cuban American percussionist and ethnomusicologist, her research and professional work are oriented to examine, perform, and expand the socio-cultural influences of the Afro Cuban heritage. Specifically,she concentrates on Abakuá rhythms and their impact on popular Cuban music. Melena states, "There is a general misconception that associates African diasporic religions with cultural stereotypes; however, throughout my research conducted in the field .I have been able to examine the significant ramifications of the Abakuá (Carabalie) rhythms on Cuban music and other contemporary manifestations such as jazz, salsa, etc."  Melena studied with scholars and musicians such as Seerafin "Tato" Quiñones, Lino Neira, Ramon Torres Zayas,  Frank "El Matodor" Oropesa, Juan Campos Cardenas "Chan" among others. She continues her studies independently in Havana, Cuba and conducts conerenes on Afro diasporic religious traditions of Cuba at Universities nationwide. 

Afro Cuban Jazz and Salsa Band

Afro Cuban Jazz and Salsa Band

special needs children and At risk youth

Melena fronts her own Afro Cuban Jazz and Salsa band performing nationwide.  Her Afro Cuban Jazz sound is expressed from a  five to six piece instrumental band with an enticing sound and multi-layers of rhythmic and melodic ideas.  Her larger 8 to 10 piece Cuban Salsa band features original compostions that will keep you on the dance floor.  

special needs children and At risk youth

DRUM THERAPY persons with memory impairing diseases

special needs children and At risk youth

Melena also has experience with special needs children and at risk youth, having worked at  the Braille Institute (Los Angeles), Camp David Gonzalez and Barry J. Nordof juvenile halls.  

DRUM THERAPY persons with memory impairing diseases

DRUM THERAPY persons with memory impairing diseases

DRUM THERAPY persons with memory impairing diseases

Melena offers drum therapy classes at Kensingotn and Silverado,Brookdale, Oakmont and Cedars living asissted homes for the elderly and persons with memory imparing diseases. Her drum therapy classes teaching latin rhythsm percussion and dance such as : cha cha cha, mambo and afro cuban. jazz. The elderly learn to have fun playing percussion such as maracas, sherkere, bongo and  conga drums. Her classes also include cultural and music history lectures with performance demonstrations. 

Social

ENDORSEMENTS

MELENA'S MAILING LIST

Sign up to hear about upcoming music concerts, festivals and educational events.

Photo Gallery

    For Booking Information

    RAFAEL SOLANO - KCC PRODUCTIONS

    1 305.775.0804

    rafa_kccproductions@hotmail.com

    MELENA - YAMILE MUSIC (Los Angeles/miami/Cuba)

    melena@melena.com U.S.A. 818.636.0171 CUBA: 011 53 55395765

    Contact Melena Here

    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    Cancel

    Copyright © 2018 Yamile Music - All Rights Reserved.

    Powered by GoDaddy