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Mela, Francisco / Zoh Amba: Causa y Efecto Vol. 1 (577 Records)

The first volume of powerful free playing and intimate conversation bringing together two New York-based improvisers, Cuban native drummer/percussionist Francisco Mela and Tennessee native reed & wind player Zoh Amba, both sharing a mountain region upbringing that brings a uniquely reflective quality to their playing, fortified by the exploratory NY improv scene.
 

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product information:

Personnel:



Francisco Mela-drums, voice

Zoh Amba-tenor saxophone, flute


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UPC: 755491242162

Label: 577 Records
Catalog ID: CD-577R-5878-1
Squidco Product Code: 32067

Format: CDR
Condition: New
Released: 2022
Country: USA
Packaging: Digipack
Recorded at Sear Sound, in New York City, New York, on April 12th, 2021, by Jeremy Loucas.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"The world is more elusive than simple cause and effect imply, more typically, life circumvents causation in favor of an unknowable correlation. It seems like the more we know, the less we know. On this first volume from Zoh Amba and Francisco Mela, the duo brings their regional traditions, from Tennessee and Cuba respectively, and musical inclinations to the cause and effect behind their own life stories.

Causa y Efecto, Vol. 1 is an ode to the unknown, transporting audiences between the New York studio where it was recorded and the mist-shrouded mountains where each musician grew up. On tracks like "Dos Vidas'' and "Serenata," Mela builds a textured, percussive foundation that Amba interrupts with breathy tenor saxophone and her distinctive flute. On "Maria," dedicated to Mela's mother, simple hand drumming provides a gentle rhythm, overlaid by Amba's delicate flute and Mela's full baritone voice, delivered in the unassuming style of the campesino.

Causa y Efecto, Vol. 1 is an ode to the countrysides that both musicians came from, decades apart, and the experimental, improvisational pursuit for which they've joined in New York."-577 Records

Also available on vinyl LP.

Artist Biographies

"Francisco Jose Mela is a Cuban drummer and percussionist who has performed with a wide array of prominent international Latin and jazz artists including Kenny Barron, Gary Bartz, JoAnne Brackeen, Jane Bunnett, Regina Carter, Anat Cohen, Paquito D'Rivera, George Garzone, Larry Grenadier, Stefon Harris, Lionel Loueke, Joe Lovano, Jason Moran, John Patitucci, John Scofield, Esperanza Spalding, Mark Turner, McCoy Tyner, Chucho Valdés, Kenny Werner, and many others.

Born in Bayamo, Cuba, Francisco Mela studied at the Music School of Arts El Yarey as a teenager before furthering his studies at the National School of Arts for Teachers, el CENCEA. He taught at Rafael's Cabrera Conservatory of Music and played with some of the country's top Latin jazz musicians, as well as leading his group, MelaSon Latin Jazz Band, that toured throughout Mexico. In 2000, he moved to Boston to study at Berklee College of Music and was invited to join the percussion faculty. He became the house drummer at the Wally's Café. It was here where he developed the concept for what would later be his own group.

In 2005, Mela joined the quartet of saxophonist Joe Lovano. Of particular note was the group's 2008 album on Blue Note entitled Folk Art.Later that year, Mela was approached by McCoy Tyner to join his trio.

Mela was named the Twin Cities Jazz Festival's first artistic director in 2014, Before appointment, he served as artistic director for the Xalapa Jazz Festival in Veracruz, Mexico (2010-2013).

In late 2016, Mela was part of an inaugural ensemble that joined Afro-Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés and saxophonist Joe Lovano for an international tour throughout Europe and North America. He also leads his own group, The Crash Trio."

-Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisco_Mela)
3/25/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

"Zoh Amba is a saxophonist from Kingsport, Tennessee who since moving to New York in fall 2021 has quickly emerged into a notable presence in the avant garde scene. Zoh has spent considerable time studying with David Murray in New York, and also at the San Francisco Conservatory Of Music & New England Conservatory. The endorsement and collaboration with the creative music world's most notable sound painters means Zoh is poised to continue her ascent in New York and beyond. She has her debut record O, Sun releasing on Tzadik March 18th, 2022. With Micah Thomas, Thomas Morgan, and Joey Baron. Produced by John Zorn."

-All About Jazz (https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/zoh-amba)
3/25/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:



1. Maria (8:07)

2. Dos Vidas (4:03)

3. Zome (8:35)

4. Serenata (14:41)

5. Desafios (4:17)

Related Categories of Interest:


Improvised Music
Jazz
Free Improvisation
NY Downtown & Metropolitan Jazz/Improv
Duo Recordings
Percussion & Drums
Recordings by or featuring Reed & Wind Players
Saxophone & Drummer / Percussionist Duos
Song Based Music
New in Improvised Music
Recent Releases and Best Sellers
Top Sellers for 2022 by Customer Sales

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