Melvis Santa presents: Jazz Orishas – A NYC Women’s FUND Free Performance and Q&A

Multidimensional artist Melvis Santa is a 2023 NYFA Women’s Fund Awardee in Music.

For the final stage of the award cycle, join Melvis and her band on this in person performance + Q&A sharing the process, the music and the artistic journey towards her debut album in New York, Melvis Santa & Jazz Orishas, an original concept and repertoire to inspire and empower women in Afro- Cuban and Jazz music.

This event is free and open to the public thanks to @MadeinNY and @nyfacurrent nyc.gov/nycwomensfund

No reservations needed.

The show will run from 12:30 – 2pm

MELVIS SANTA (bio) Grammy Nominee Melvis Santa is a multidimensional artist, vocalist, pianist and educator. Born and raised in an eclectic neighborhood of Havana, Cuba, Melvis made a splash at 14 by founding an all-female acapella group that won the 2001 JoJazz Competition and Chucho Valdés deemed as “the best Cuban vocal quartet of the past 30 years.” After graduation from piano and Music Education at the prestigious Amadeo Roldán Conservatory, Melvis was mentored by the finest of Cuban culture like composer Marta Valdés, César Portillo de La Luz; musical directors Roberto Carcassés and Germán Velazco. In 2012 recorded ”Santa Habana” her debut album as a bandleader which obtained a Cubadisco Nomination. Based in New York since 2014 Melvis continues to make a mark as a performer and educator, adding to the Afro-Cuban jazz movement set forth by her ancestors, like Mario Bauzá, Graciela Pérez, Celia Cruz and Mongo Santamaría. The New York Times defines her style as possessing 70`s soul underpinnings, yet belonging to the Afro Cuban musical traditions. She’s a multi-ensemble bandleader who have showcased at Minton’s, Birdland, The Jazz Gallery, The National Jazz Museum in Harlem, Aaron Davis Hall and Lincoln Center. Simultaneously, Melvis has guest lectured at NYU, Fordham University, Tulane, Boulder, UArts, and taught across France, Canada, and New York City. Awards include BKCM’s Jazz Leaders Fellowship, NYC Women’s Fund and the Paul Simon Music Teachers Fellowship. She has guest- lectured and conducted residencies at NYU, Yale, Fordham, Tulane, Boulder University, UArts and The Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. Melvis is the vocalist of NEA Jazz Master master Kenny Garrett & Sounds From The Ancestors. Collaborations include Nasheet Waits, Cassandra Wilson, Andy Bey, Charles Tolliver, Josh Evans Big Band, Ravi Coltrane, Arturo O’Farrill, David Virelles, Xiomara Laugart, Charenée Wade, Brooklyn Raga Massive, Roman Diaz and Pedrito Martínez.