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BIOGRAPHY (English) • BIOGRAFIA (Spanish) • BIOGRAPHIE (French) |
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Latin Grammy nominee Paoli Mejias is a distinguished master percussionist from Puerto Rico, ranked among the best in both Latin jazz and salsa. As a bandleader Paoli fuses straight-ahead jazz with African, Mediterranean & Caribbean folkloric rhythms to create a new dimension of Latin jazz that is global, energetic, and modern.
Performing for more than 25 years, Grammy nominee Paoli Mejías has already distinguished himself as a young master percussionist and is ranked among the best in both salsa and Latin jazz. Paoli is now at the vanguard of Latin jazz as leader of his own Quintet, having produced a live performance released on Blu-ray "DE JAZZAMBIA A MI TAMBOR EL CONCIERTO" (2011) and three successful CDs as band leader: "JAZZAMBIA"(2008), “Transcend” (2006) and “Mi Tambor” (2004) which received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album.
Born March 7, 1970 in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, percussionist Paoli Mejias' rise to Latin jazz fame is a story of sweat and dedication. Completely self taught, Paoli purchased his first set of congas at age twelve, inspired by records of conga great Carlos "Patato" Valdes and Latin jazz innovators Batacumbele and Irakere. Learning by imitating the sounds he heard on the records, Paoli taught himself the language of the congas without the benefit of an instructor. By his mid-to-late teens, he could be found at jam sessions in the streets and on the beaches of San Juan. He earned invitations from bandleaders like Rafú Warner, José Nogueras, Glen Monroig and Charlie Sepúlveda. As he worked his way up the live music food chain in Puerto Rico, Paoli found himself performing alongside the Latin jazz legends who had inspired him in his early years.
Paoli made his successful debut as a bandleader in 2004 with his self-produced record “Mi Tambor” which received a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album in 2005. Showered with positive press and accolades from the worldwide jazz community, Paoli's transition from sideman to focal point was explosive. His 2006 follow-up release “Transcend” features some of the New York Latin jazz scene's finest: Miguel Zenón, Antonio Sánchez, Luis Perdomo, Jaleel Shaw, Hans Glawischnig, & Tony Escapa, all of whom also recorded on his 3rd CD "JAZZAMBIA" released in 2008.
**PAOLI'S
NEW PROJECT IS NOW AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY** http://www.filmbaby.com/films/5914 A live concert of Paoli performing with the best musicians in Puerto Rico songs from all 3 of his CDs, and new surprises.
Consistently, each and every review acclaims his ability to fill a venue with his charisma and energetic Afro-Caribbean rhythms bringing the public to their feet. Complimented by the best jazz musicians, Paoli’s Quintet is creating a new style of Latin Jazz that goes above and beyond the genre in the traditional sense, incorporating unexpected elements of Asian, Greek, Flamenco, and African influences. The result is intriguing and exhilarating; the public becomes enveloped in the tight ensemble’s passion for music that is a delight to hear, and remarkable to witness in a live setting.
An experienced
educator and clinician, Paoli is Resident
Artist
at the
Conservatorio de Musica de Puerto Rico since January 2010,
and at
Cornish College of the Arts in
Seattle Washington since 2012.
Paoli has given master
classes at the Montreal Percussion Festival, the University of
Washington, University of New Mexico, Cal State University, “El
Batey” Puerto Rican Cultural Center of Chicago, and the World
Percussion Festival in Seattle among others;
Paoli was also named an honorary member of FITA (Festival
Internacional de Tradiciones AfroAmericanas) in Venezuela.
His latest project
"PAOLI MEJIAS DE JAZZAMBIA A MI TAMBOR EL CONCIERTO" released on Blu-ray
in the fall of 2011, is a concert of Paoli performing with the best
musicians in Puerto Rico many songs from his 3 CDs, and new songs he
has written. This live recording is a captivating musical journey of
Paoli’s evolution as musician, bandleader, and composer. Paoli
documents a historical moment in Latin jazz, celebrating the
diversity of his Puerto Rican heritage and showcasing the rich
talent of the new generation of musicians in Puerto Rico.
"It's his work as a leader that best reflects the importance of Mejías as a force within and beyond Latin music..." - Drum!
“Puerto Rican percussion ace Paoli Mejías' self-produced album “Mi Tambor” is a dynamic fusion of progressive salsa, forward-thinking Latin jazz, and folkloric elements...” Mark Holson - Jazziz
“In this recording, his range of talents becomes clearer as he demonstrates his mastery of Afro-Caribbean percussion instruments (congas, timbales, bongo, buleador, plena drums, etc.), and the integration of music from other cultures. Paoli continues to grow, surprise, and delight listeners who seek quality in their music.” - Aguzate.org
“Once again Mejias explores a kaleidoscope of rhythms from Greece, India and the world over that are fused together making it one language for all to understand. Pushing the boundaries of not only the Latin Jazz genre but also Jazz itself, Mejías welcomes to the pot all kinds of influences. “Transcend” is a breath of fresh air and a very progressive piece of work. Kudos to Mejías by truly making music universal.” Javier Rivera - Escencia Latina
"The [HotHouse] festival’s biggest surprise was PAOLI MEJIAS AND HIS QUINTET. This group took everyone by surprise with their musical skills and energy in their interpretation of modern jazz and fusing it with Caribbean and Latin music. Paoli Mejías is truly becoming a recognizable figure as one of the most talented percussionists on the planet. This group brought the house down." Carlos Flores, PuertoRicanChicago.Com Newsletter |
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Paoli's
résumé includes top jazz and salsa artists like Tito Puente, Dave
Samuels, Dave Valentín, Paquito d'Rivera, Chick Corea, David Sánchez
and Danilo Pérez, who all have called on Paoli for his unique blend
of melodic sensitivity and blinding technique. As Puerto Rico's
first-call conguero, Paoli has performed and recorded with artists
like Luis Enrique, Marc Anthony, La India, Tito Puente, Seis del
Solar, & Eddie Palmieri with whom he toured the largest jazz
festivals for more than a decade. Paoli's discography as side-man
includes more than 20 commercial recordings, among them Grammy
nominated "Acuarela de Tambores" by Alex Acuña, and Grammy Award
winner "Masterpiece" by Eddie Palmieri and Tito Puente.