PAOLI MEJIAS (PERCUSSIONIST)

Performing for more than 20 years, 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, and his debut solo CD "Mi Tambor" received a Grammy Award nomination in 2005.
Born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico on March 7, 1970, Paoli was twelve years old when he began to play conga, inspired by the music of "Patato" Valdés, Batacumbele and Irakere. Paoli describes himself as "percusionista de formación callejera", the formation of his musical talent occurred in the streets watching and absorbing the styles of his mentors, and eventually playing along side them. The talented José Ramírez, one of the best Batá players in Puerto Rico, is among Paoli's teachers with whom he studied Afro-Cuban percussion. Paoli has developed a unique style combining technique, melodic rhythmic patterns and his physical strength.

As Sideman
Paoli's professional career began in his teens, playing with Rafu Warner followed by freelancing with José Nogueras, Glenn Monroig and Charlie Sepúlveda. Paoli's resumé includes top jazz and salsa artists: Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Seis del Solar, Dave Samuels, Dave Valentín, David Sánchez, Danilo Pérez, Chick Corea, Kip Hanrahan, Paquito D'Rivera, Hilton Ruiz, Marc Anthony, Luis Enrique, La India and many others. Paoli's discography 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. Paoli gained international recognition touring around the world as percussionist for the legendary Eddie Palmieri for more than a decade performing in the largest jazz festivals.

As Band Leader
In 2004 Paoli launched his solo career with phenomenal success; his self-produced CD "Mi Tambor" was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award for BEST LATIN JAZZ ALBUM in 2005.

“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 of Jazziz Magazine, January 2005.

“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, November 2005.

"...This is new generation Latin jazz, informed by a rich and varied palette, and certainly one of the best Latin jazz releases of the year thus far. Very Highly recommended." – Bruce Polin, Descarga.com

In 2005 Paoli's Quintet received high accolades from live audiences at Seattle's prestigious jazz club The Triple Door, the San Juan Heineken JazzFest, international music festivals in Venezuela, the En Clave Jazz Festival in Chicago, and other music festivals in St John, USVI and Puerto Rico.

"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, November 2005.

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.

In February of 2006 Paoli began recording his second CD at Bennett Studios with the best jazz musicians on the jazz scene: Luis Perdomo on piano, Hans Glawischnig on bass, Antonio Sanchez on drums, Jaleel Shaw and Miguel Zenon on sax. Paoli’s second CD "Transcend" is scheduled to be released under his own independent label in July and it promises to exceed the success of his first.

An experienced clinician, Paoli has given master classes at the University of Washington, the Music Conservatory of Puerto Rico, Cal State University, and “El Batey” the Puerto Rican Cultural Center of Chicago, The World Percussion Festival in Seattle, and the Montreal Percussion Festival, among others.

Paoli endorses Latin Percussion (congas & percussion), Sabian (cymbals), Remo (drum heads), Vater (drum sticks), and Hansenfutz (practice pedal

VIDEOS

PAOLI MEJIAS AT THE HEINEKEN JAZZ FESTIVAL IN PUERTO RICO - PART1

PAOLI MEJIAS AT THE HEINEKEN JAZZ FESTIVAL IN PUERTO RICO - PART2

PAOLI MEJIAS AT THE HEINEKEN JAZZ FESTIVAL IN PUERTO RICO - PART3

PAOLI MEJIAS - TRASCEND (2006)

many thanks to Nelson Rodriguez

Latin Grammy nominee Paoli Mejías fuses straight-ahead jazz, be-bop, swing, and rumba, with rhythms from Greece and India, the Puerto Rican bomba, plena and salsa to create a new dimension of Latin Jazz

Paoli Mejias Congas, chekere, clave
Luis Perdomo Piano
Hans Glawischnig Bass
Antonio Sanchez Drums
Miguel Zenon Alto sax
Ralph Irizarry Timbal
Javier Oquendo Okonkolo
Jaleel Shaw Alto sax
Luis Aquino Trumpet on cut 8
Naren Budhaler Tabla drums on cut 7
Cliarigell Javeer Vocals on cut 7
Yan Carlos Artime Piano on cut 8

review by _David Miele: PAOLI MEJIAS - TRASCEND (2006)

review by Rodrigo O. Sanchez: PAOLI MEJIAS - TRASCEND (2006)

  more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels

PAOLI MEJIAS - MI TAMBOR (2004)

NOMINATED FOR BEST LATIN JAZZ ALBUM, LATIN GRAMMY 2005. Full of passion from start to finish, Puerto Rican percussionist Paoli Mejías demonstrates his depth and skill both as percussionist and band leader in his long-awaited first production.

Jerry Medina Vocalist
Josue Rosado Coros
Juan Jose "Juanchy" Hernandez Coros
Ramon Vazquez Bass
Yan Carlos Artime Piano
David "Piro" Rodriguez Trumpet solo on 1
Hector Lopez Trumpet
Ricardo Pons Sax
Mariano Morales Violins
Hector Matos Drums
Tito De Gracia Timbal
Paoli Mejias Congas, buleador, campana, panderos
Javier Oquendo Bongos
Luis Perdomo Piano
Miguel Zenon Alto sax
Antonio Escapa Drums
David Atanacio Vocals on 7
Wichy Camacho Coros

more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels