www.franciscomela.com

Unfortunately October 30th's show at Jazz Standard is canceled.
The club lost power and doesn't know when it will be restored.
We don't yet to know about October 31st's Cuban Safari show. It will depend on power restoration and mass transit. We will update on the website and facebook.

Stay safe everyone!

I'll be at Jazz Standard on October 30th with my quartet with Ben Williams, Gilad Hekselman and Ben Wendel and with Cuban Safari on October 31st (Halloween!).
It's the premier with the quartet and you know I always have a blast with Cuban Safari.

2 shows at 7:30 PM & 9:30 PM. Tickets only $20. No minimum, but it's hard to resist their ribs and beer selection!

Jazz Standard is located at 116 E 27th St., New York, NY 10016.
Tickets are available online now.
http://jazzstandard.net/red/index.html

"No one in St. Paul last weekend had a bigger smile or bigger heart than drummer Mela...The beats make you want to dance, the energy sufficiently contagious to take you through the night. Which was a good thing, because the best came last, when Mela and some of his bandmates turned up to jam at the Artists Quarter. Somehow the vibe of the after-hours crowd and the heat from pianist Jon Weber’s earlier sets ignited Mela and company to a more free-wheeling act of spontaneous combustion on the AQ stage. And always that smile!"

Cuban Safari will be in St. Paul Minnesota sharing the stage with stellar artists such as Delfeayo Marsalis, the Bad Plus and Joshua Redman.
Hope to see you there!

Friday, June 29 6 PM
at Mears Park Mainstage (236 6th St. E. St. Paul)

Cuban Safari
Francisco Mela, drums
Elio Villafranca, piano
Peter Slavov, bass
Uri Gurvich, Alto Saxophone
Arturo Stable, Percussion

May 18, 2012

Art After 5 at Philadelphia Museum of Art
5-8:45 pm
FREE with Museum admission

Francisco Mela Trio
with Mike Moreno, guitar
Noam Wiesenberg, bass

Cuban Safari returns to Philly!
Date: Sat. Jan 21, 2012
8 & 10 PM at Chris' Jazz Cafe
1421 Samsom St. Philadelphi,a PA 19110
tel:215-568-3131
http://chrisjazzcafe.com/

"In following his muse, Mela crafts a project that branches out while remaining rooted to its core. It's rare to strike such a delicate balance, and in doing so, he's created pure magic
- Lissete Corsa, Jazziz

It's on page 115 of the print edition (Winter 2011/2012). On Page 61, Bob Weinberg also mentioned Tree of Life as one of his favorites!

The definition of the category is "The music on the album needs to exhibit a performance or compositional approach that challenges traditional ideas." Well said. Please vote!

"Mela’s Tree of Life has many branches and is made of many colors. His excursion into composing with his own ideas is time and talent well spent."
by Janine Santana

Jazz critic, David Adler picks "Tree of Life" as one of his recommended releases in New York City Jazz Records.

"Cross-talented Cuban drummer Francisco Mela slices his way through his third release in exuberant handscreen cameos. Eclectic audio-clips are full of corner pals celebrating exclamatory notions he draws from electric Miles, Weather Report and Cuba's Irakere." "50 minutes flash by liek MTV clips. Click 'like'."
- Fred Bouchard, New York City Jazz Record

Just opened Twitter account. I know it's late but better than never. Follow me so that you won't miss any news!

The Japanese record store, Diskunion's blog included the 1st track of "Tree of Life," "Retrograde" in the section of "Newest Best Jazz Takes" in their blog.

"This is the latest album by Cuban drummer, Francisco Mela who stands out in the New York jazz scene. Esperanza Spalding participates as a guest. Mela creates "Fiesta Rhythm" with his band, Cuban Safari. Look forward to Mela's vocals.
Mela is a bona fide "first call" musician who is so in demand as a sideman. He leads his own band while he is busy playing as a member of Joe Lovano's band. He is one of the artists whom everyone's eyes are on."

http://blog-shinjuku-jazz.diskunion.net/Entry/7999/

In New York
Mon, October 10, 2011 at THE BLUE NOTE
131 W.3rd St., New York, NY 10012
Show Time:8 & 10:30 PM
Tickets available at www.bluenotejazz.com or tel:212-475-8592

Francisco Mela, drums & composition
Peter Slavov, bass
Elio Villafranca, piano & keyboards
Uri Gurvich, alto saxophone
Mauricio Herrara, percussion
Arturo Stable, percussion

Check out the video from the Scullers in Boston with Alfredo Rodriguez!

Thu, October 6, 2011 at REGATTABAR
Address:One Bennett St., Cambridge, MA 02138
Show Time:7:30 PM
Tickets available at www.regattabarjazz.com or 617-395-7757

Francisco Mela - drums & composition
Peter Slavov - bass
Elio Villafranca - piano & keyboards
Uri Gurvich - alto saxophone
Mauricio Herrara - percussion

Another review out.
"Mela's music encompasses everything that he has encountered, making the Tree Of Life a sonic safari through the worldwide wilds of jazz and beyond. "

Check out the review of "Tree of Life" on All Music Guide.
"Tree of Life is a wildly imaginative, expertly played recording; Mela and Cuban Safari illustrate that the future of jazz is indeed now."

Drummer Francisco Mela presents his second release on Half Note, a tour-de-force featuring 10 newly conceived compositions. With the help of his band, Cuban Safari, Mela offers a passionate fusion of Cuban polyrhythms and propulsive modernism. Renown for his play with Joe Lovanoʼs Us Five, Mela and the full scope of his musicianship take center stage with an unexpected turn as a vocalist, duetting with pianist Elio Villafranca, and trading improvs with Special Guest Esperanza Spalding. Tree Of Life is spirited evidence of Melaʼs distinguished place among young group leaders.