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Pablo Menendez & Mezcla

"Funky.... Ebullient.... Hot!" —The New York Times

Mezcla Cuban All Stars, under the direction of Pablo Menendez, has been a part of the sound-track of the Cuban music scene for the past twenty-five years. A jazz ensemble fusing Afro-Cuban rhythms with yoruba, salsa and rock, Mezcla's music is a genuine celebration of the culture and musical roots of the Pearl of the Antilles. A ray of Havana sunshine that inspired Carlos Santana to call them “the cleanest, freshest water I have ever tasted!" Their latest CD, “I'll See You in C-U-B-A,” (ZOHO), was nominated for the Best of Latin Jazz Awards 2010 as were several of the group's soloists, and their CD "Akimba!," was nominated for a Latin Grammy. A multi-generational ensemble, Mezcla brings together several veteran masters with some the best of young jazz players on the scene today. The all star group includes conga master and Afro Cuban babalao priest Octavio Rodriguez, trap drummer Ruy Lopez-Nussa (Harold Lopéz-Nussa's father), pianist Alexis Bosch (Habana Ensemble & Cesar Lopez), trumpeter Mayquel Gonzalez (Irakere, JoJazz award recipient), saxaphone player Nestor Rodriguez and bassist Juan Pablo Dominguez (Habana Ensemble and Elmer Ferrer).

Awards

Grammy Nomination 2003 Best Latin Jazz Album: ¡Akimba! Nominated Best of Latin Jazz Awards 2010: "I'll See You in Cuba"


Tags

7
Album Review

Mezcla: Shoot The Moon

Read "Shoot The Moon" reviewed by Chris May


It is not only in London that UK jazz is being revitalised by turbulent young rebels. London is certainly the most exciting centre, with black and women musicians gaining unprecedented visibility, bringing particular sensibilities with them. But other cities, notably Birmingham and Manchester, have developed vibrant new scenes, too. Viewed from down south, Glasgow seems to lag behind, although that may be because news takes a while to cross the border. Whatever the reason, 2017 BBC Young ...

7
Album Review

Pablo Menendez & Mezcla: Pure Mezcla: Direct from Cuba – Live at Yoshi’s Oakland

Read "Pure Mezcla: Direct from Cuba – Live at Yoshi’s Oakland" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey


The music of the United States and Cuba are forever comingled in jazz. Rarely have two cultures proven so simpatico than in music, each benefiting from the other. Political normalization of relations between the two neighbors is long overdue and music remains the most potent cultural element than can be shared and exchanged. That is why this live recording by Pablo Menendez and his fine outfit, Mezcla at Oakland's Yoshi's is so special. The symbiotic, indeed, synergistic, relationship between the ...

325
Album Review

Pablo Menendez & Mezcla: I'll See You in Cuba

Read "I'll See You in Cuba" reviewed by Raul d'Gama Rose


I'll See You in Cuba is an extraordinary celebration of Cuba's dance and song. It is a fiercely vivid account of a culture infused with the most electrifying elements of Afro-Caribbean heritage. As a musical odyssey it holds its own with the very best of Irakere and the Buena Vista Social Club. Pablo Menéndez and the wonderful musicians of Mezcla set the world alight with a ravishing blend of blues, soul, and jazz idioms that collide with the “son," “guaracha," ...

259
Album Review

Pablo Menendez & Mezcla: I'll See You In Cuba

Read "I'll See You In Cuba" reviewed by Jerry D'Souza


Guitarist/vocalist Pablo Menéndez makes a two-pronged point with the title of this CD. He alludes to what could happen if visitors from the United States were permitted to travel to Cuba, and adds a slight twist on the Irving Berlin's “I'll See You in C.U.B.A.," which he sings with zest and verve. Menéndez brings in a blend of several genres in his schematic vision on I'll See You In Cuba and, along with his band Mezcla, consistently captures and develops ...

122
Album Review

Mezcla: Akimba!

Read "Akimba!" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey


Hot-avana...

Khaeon Records is a niche label that specializes in World Music. The label currently has five releases, four of which are Latin in character (The John Benitez Trio’s Descarga in New York , Carlos Barbosa-Lima’s Mambo No. 5 , Christos Rafalides’ Manhattan Vibes , Trio Mundo’s Carnaval , and Pablo Menéndez’s Havana Blues Mambo ) and the fifth, a straight-ahead jazz collection (David Gardner’s Grace ). Akimba! is the newest release for the label by the very fine Cuban ...

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"Funky.... Ebullient.... Hot!" The New York Times

"Pablo Menendez is not your average everyday Afro-Caribbean or Latin jazz musician. His vision of this music stretches back to traditional jazz and show tunes and up to electric urban blues, modern post-bop, Cuban or Puerto Rican music, and contemporary neo-bop spawned in the 1970s. As a guitarist he is strong individually in these varied styles or disciplines, but as a bandleader he stretches out even further, taking his Mezcla ensemble into these disciplines of jazz and music both beyond and including Latin sensibilities." Michael G. Nastos (Allmusic.com)

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Shoot The Moon

Ubuntu Music
2020

buy

Pure Mezcla: Direct...

Tilford Productions
2015

buy

Akimba!

Khaeon World Music
2002

buy

Videos

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