Episode 78 Mayra Casales, musician, Cocomama bandleader

My guest today is Mayra Casales. Mayra is gifted Cuban percussionist, respected band leader and passionate mentor to young jazz musicians.  Mayra was born in Havana, Cuba. Her family fled to Miami when she was about 6 years old. Music was an integral part of her family: her father played guitar, her mother was a singer and Mayra joined her older brothers to form a percussion section. In fact, Mayra says that music helped her family survive when they moved to Miami; serving as both their release and solidarity.

Mayra has played with a variety of jazz and Latin artists, including: Celia Cruz, Machito, Joe Cuba, Miquelito Veldez, Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie, Wayne Shorter, Carmen Lundy, David Amram, Regina Carter, Sophie B. Hawkins, Regina Bell, Dave Stryker, and The O'Jays. In 2008 Mayra helped found the vibrant World Latin music group Cocomama, which she now leads.

Mayra is the Director of the Toni and Ed Fallon Jazz Scholarship to honor the memory of Bill Evans, providing financial support to promising high school graduates with their formal jazz studies. Mayra’s spiritual groundedness and fiery, passionate, lovable spirit infuses both her music and the focus and gratitude that colors her everyday life. Check out the show notes below for links to Mayra’s website, Cocomama’s website and the Rockland Community Foundation. You can hear Mayra with Cocomama at the Hopper House in Nyack, NY on Thursday July 18, from 7:30-9:30. Enjoy the podcast!

Links:
Mayra on Facebook
www.cocomamamusic.com
Rockland Community Foundation
RCF Grants & Scholarships
Toni & Ed Fallon Jazz Scholarship