Duke Djembe & Afro-Cuban Ensembles with guest artist Melena

Melena, born in Havana, Cuba, is an accomplished percussionist and educator of Afro-Cuban music. Her Afro-­Cuban sound is a conversation of melodies that she plays with fierce passion. Melena is a multi-talented percussionist who plays congas, timbales, bata drums, and shekere. She studied privately with the Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba as well as with the many gifted percussionists on the island. Melena has toured, performed, and recorded with legendary artists such as Barry White, Stevie Wonder, Macy Gray, Julio Iglesias, Giovanni Hidalgo, Chucho Valdes and Irakere, Bennie Maupin, Chino Nuñez, Chayanne, Poncho Sanchez, Eva Ayllone, Oscar Hernandez (Musical Director of Spanish Harlem Orchestra), Afro Cuban All Stars, and Cuba's national treasure the Septeto Nacional de Ignacio Piñeiro. The Duke Djembe and Afro-Cuban Ensembles are directed by Bradley Simmons. If you can't attend this concert, stream it live at https://youtu.be/RO0Ldd-GkNk