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Iris Sandra Cepeda was born in Sancti Spiritus, Cuba in 1973. Beginning her musical studies at the age of eight, she studied piano at the Ernesto Lecuona Conservatory in her native city. During these years of study, she participated in various festivals and contests singing and playing piano. At the age of 14, Ms. Cepeda attended Cuba’s Escuela Nacional de Arte (National School of the Arts), where she majored in Choral Direction. Ms. Cepeda received what is equivalent to a masters degree, four years later in 1992. She was accepted as Professor of Choral Direction at the Manuel Saumel Cienfuegos Music Conservatory shortly after receiving her degree.
In 1993 Iris Sandra Cepeda was a part of the vocal quartet Cactus, a project significantly influenced by the 1980’s styling of the groups Manhattan Transfer and Take Six. In 1994 Ms. Cepeda left the Cactus quartet to join Arte Mixto, a group that mixed traditional Cuban Music with elements of classical music, jazz, flamenco, salsa and samba, as well as various other influences.
In 1997, she recorded Arte Mixto’s first CD release ‘Deseos’, for which the group received many national awards, including the esteemed Benny More Music Award and toured thoughout Italy. Arte Mixto also shared 1st place with Laito Y Su Sonora in the Lucas Awards (Cuban equivalent to the MTV awards) the same year of the CD’s release. In 1998, she recorded on Arte Mixto’s second CD release, ‘Virginia’ which underwent a promotional tour to the United States. Iris Sandra Cepeda decided to stay.
In 2000 she joined Charanga Cubana, a well-known Los Angeles group under the direction of Mr. Edgar Hernandez. Ms. Cepeda still performs with the group which appears in California and throughout the United States. In 2007 La Charanga Cubana was nominated for a Latin Grammy.
Ms. Cepeda has a five year tenure as a faculty member teaching voice in the Afro-Latin Music Department at California State University, Los Angeles.
Iris Sandra Cepeda has also been involved in many studio recordings with illustrious artists such as Floutist Danilo Lozano, who featured Ms. Cepeda in his CD, ‘Cuban L.A. Dos’, on the track “Lagrimas Negras” in 2000. The following year she performed background vocals on the sound track for the film “Original Sin” starring Antonio Banderas and Angelina Jolie. Ms. Cepeda recorded on the late Israel “Cachao” Lopez and Andy Garcia’s CD releases ‘Cuba Linda’ in 2000 and ‘Ahora Si’ in 2004, the latter of which won 2 Grammy Awards the following year. In 2002 she was invited to record with Justo Almario and Alex Acuña’s project Grupo Tolu, on the CD release, ‘El Bongo De Van Goh’. In 2005 she recorded background vocals on the soundtrack for the film “The Cigar’s Song”. Also in 2005, Iris Sandra Cepeda recorded on the soundtrack for the motion picture “The Lost City”, with Andy Garcia as director and performing in the film as well. In 2007 Ms. Cepeda appeared on the T.V. show ‘Cane’ performing the song “Veinte Años”.
Presently, Ms. Cepeda continues to work with the group Cineson Allstars lead by Andy Garcia, a project that tours internationally. Also, Iris Sandra Cepeda is vocalist in the group Chalo Y Su Ache’ under the direction of the group’s founder Gonzalo Chomat. She recorded on the group’s first CD release ‘Ensemble’. Ms. Cepeda is in the process of formulating her first solo project.
Artist Recording Profile
2009
Vocals on the cd “Bueno Pa’ Gozar” with Paul De Castro y su Orquesta Dengue.
2008
Vocals on the cd entitled, ‘Camino Del Niño’ with recording artists Esteban Adame and Santiago Salazar of the Techno Music project Ican.
2007
Vocals on the cd ‘Ensemble’ with group Chalo Y Su Ache’, founded by Gonzalo Chomat.
2006
Background vocals in the soundtrack for the motion picture
“The Cigar’s Song”.
2005
Background vocals in the soundtrack for the motion picture
“The Lost City”, produced by and starring Andy Garcia.
Received a Grammy Award for work on the album ‘Ahora Si’ by artist Israel “Cachao” Lopez.
2004
Background vocals on the album ‘Ahora Si’ by artist Israel “Cachao” Lopez and Andy Garcia
2002
Background vocals on the album ‘El Bongo de Van Gogh’ with Justo Almario and Alex Acuña of Grupo Tolu
2001
Background vocals on the soundtrack for the motion picture
‘Original Sin’, starring Antonio Banderas and Angelina Jolie.
2000
Background vocals on the album ‘Cuba Linda’ with Israel “Cachao” Lopez and Andy Garcia.
2000
Vocals on the album ‘Cuban LA Dos’ by Danilo Lozano, on the
feature song: “Lagrimas Negras”.
2000
Vocals on the album ‘Acuarela de Tambores’ by Alex Acuña.
2000
Background vocals on the album ‘El Baile del Balsero’ with Grupo Timba by band leader Gonzalo Chomat. Also featured on lead vocals on the track “Buscandote”.
1998
Lead and background vocals on the album ‘Virginia’ with Grupo Arte Mixto, featured on the tracks: “Virginia”, “Entre Tu y Yo”, “Ahi Nama”, and “Echa Pa’ lla”.
1997
Lead and background vocals: on the album ‘Deseos’ by Grupo Arte Mixto on the tracks, “Aguzate”, “Confesion”, “El Aroma de Tu Piel”, “Centellas de Amor”, “Corazon Gitano”, and “Bolerito”.
Dayren was fated to be an entertainer. Born in Matanzas, Cuba to a professional musician father and an actress mother, she opted for a musical life and chose the violin as her instrument. Her understanding parents and family supported her decision, promptly enrolling her at the age of 8 in the province’s arts academy. Since graduating from the National Art School in Havana, her career has included extended engagements playing with the National Symphonic Orchestra of Havana and as concertmaster of the Camerata Romeu. Both engagements involved extensive live performance, international touring, recording, and film score work in a range of musical styles. Well-schooled in styles spanning classical music, Cuban folkloric music and salsa, jazz, and R&B, Dayren has earned praise from appreciative fans for her passionate renditions of works on both acoustic and electric violin. Dayren provides music suitable for all occasions, whether as a member of an orchestra, ensemble or group, or even as solo violin with or without recorded accompaniment.
She is currently living in Los Angeles and has completed her Master’s in music at the University of South Florida. Recent engagements have included the USF symphony orchestra, world-music group Wassalou at Walt Disney World, and performances with Tampa-area jazz / R&B singer Fred Johnson. Audiences and fellow musicians in a range of musical styles know that this young lady can really play and isn’t limited to reading orchestral scores! Her performance experience as well as her passion for music is evident.
Music is in her blood. Shaped from the rhythms that dance through her veins, Melena, born in Havana Cuba, has mastered the traditional rhythms that have traveled from Africa to Cuba, to the dance floors of America. Her Afro/Cuban sound is a conversation of melodies which she plays with fierce passion, whether on congas, timbales, batas or a range of other percussion instruments. As her musical vision is broad, she combines her talents with those of some of the most accomplished musicians performing today in genres that range from jazz to pop.
Melena’s formal training began on the drums when she was a teenager. Master percussionist Luis Conte was instrumental in shaping her early development. In 1988, Melena returned to Cuba for the first time since leaving as a child. While in Cuba, Melena studied with the "Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba". She has also studied with the legendary percussionists and folklorists Mario Jauregui, Regino Jimenez and Lazaro Ros. This experience gave her a solid foundation, offering her a unique sound which is distinctly her own.
During the years 1989 through 1994, Melena started to sit in with various local Latin groups in Los Angeles. Papo Conga was a most essential and important mentor. He first hired her on Congas and later on timbales giving her the opportunity to develop her skills as a percussionist. In 1995, Melena began to work with the late Kenny Kirkland and Jeff "Tain" Watts in a band designed to feature her abilities and that of bassist Nedra Wheeler. This era proved to be a turning point in that it challenged her desire to reach for greater dimensions and expand her percussion abilities in a jazz setting. In the following year, Melena would be found on a world tour with Barry White, which continued for two years.
In August of 1997, Melena returned to Cuba to continue her studies for six months. Her stay in Cuba afforded her the privilege of studying with Roberto Vizcaino Guillot, Miguel "Anga" Diaz, Jose Miguel Melendez and with Master percussionists of Conjunto Clave y Guaguanco. Upon returning from Cuba, Melena recorded a PBS special with John Tesh in Europe called, "One World". From there she toured with Pop/R&B vocalist Macy Gray followed by Julio Iglesias. In the fall of 2000, Melena returned to Cuba for the third time. This time she traveled to Matanzas and focused her studies on bata drums with Master Daniel Herrera. In Havana she studied congas with Yaroldy Abreu and Adel Gonzales, percussionists with Chucho Valdes and Irakere. Jose "Pepe" Espinosa, percussionist with the Afro Cuban All Stars is also a good friend and mentor. She also had the privilege of playing with the group Irakere as well as several of the local Timba groups in Havana. In May 2002 Melena conducted a clinic and concert performance at the Percussion Festival in San Juan Puerto Rico. Backup musicians for her live performances included Eric Figueroa, piano and musical director of Batacumbele. She also had the opportunity to play with friends like Richie Flores, Paoli Mejias and Javier Oquendo.
In the year 2004 Melena toured internationally with Latin Pop Artist, Chayanne. In 2005, Melena had the wonderful opportunity to perform at the NBA Finals and several live concerts with the legendary Stevie Wonder. Melena was also blessed to share the same stage with her biggest inspiration, Giovanni Hidalgo. Melena performed with her Afro Cuban band at the Ninth Annual Brownsville Latin Jazz Festival in Texas and also conducted a clinic at the Brownsville University. In 2006, Melena recorded with Peru Negro and also performed in a Live DVD recording with Eva Ayllon. In addition, Melena conducted a master class and performance at the 2006 Montreal Drum Festival.
Her dream is to travel the world and to be a major contributor to the Afro/Cuban music legacy, sharing the richness of this culture with the others. Festivals she has performed in the past include: Jazz at Drew, African Village Festival, Latin Music Festival, and more.
Presently, Melena is conducting Workshops and Clinics Nationally and Internationally. She has specialized her studies in the Afro-Cuban tradition and on the sacred Bata Drums and has taught her students the importance of the history and knowledge of Afro-Cuban drumming and language of the Batas. Melena is one of the very few female percussionists that plays at her level of proficiency
Adelaide Pilar Benavides was born in Harlingen, Texas. At age 11 she began playing trumpet, age 13 she took interest in percussion, and at 14 she began singing and performing in the her high school jazz band. A fanatic of many styles, Pili really found her passion in salsa music. In 2003, she began attending Texas State University to receive a Bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies. She performed on trumpet, vocals, and hand percussion in the university's top jazz ensemble, salsa ensemble (Salsa del Rio), and mariachi ensemble. While with Salsa del Rio she recorded 2 albums La Noche Nunca Pare and Lloraras y Lloraras (which won Downbeat Magazine's Best College Pop Album of 2006). While performing with the group they won Univision's Best Salsa/Merengue Band of San Antonio for 3 years running. She also received an Outstanding Soloist Award at the North Texas Jazz Festival in 2006. During this time she directed and founded soul band Soul Food and studied with Pete Rodriguez (son of "El Conde" Rodriguez). After graduating in 2006, Pili moved to Los Angeles to become a part of the Los Angeles music community and to begin working on her Master's Degree in Afro-Latin Music at CalState University which she completed in June '09. She is a member of Oasis Caribeño, Mariachi Divas (who won a grammy this year!!), and Chalo y Su Ache. She has also performed with greats such as Larry Harlow, Chuchito Valdez, and Mariachi Vargas. As of now Pili continues her current projects, continues to work on new ones, and teaches music lessons privately and in elementary schools.
Iris gracias por pensar en mi he invitarme a ser sus amigas, me da mucho gusto verte tan bonita rodeada de mujeres musicos bellas y talentosas,les deseo suerte y muchos exitos.besos Dulvys
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Por supuesto que cuentan con mi amistad.Sin enfados permitirme un consejo pensar siempre en hacer el trabajo lo mejor que puedan y despues de eso pensar en el trabajo y despues en el trabajo y no mezclar las relaciones personales con esto porque sino ya empiezan los problemas .MUCHO ACHÉ y UN BESO DE LA YUDE
waooo waooo lo que asia falta en los angeles y en el mundo entero cuatro precicosa mujeres unidas para hacer buena musica felicidades su amigo GENER LOPEZ
