OPTION: Francisco Mela

Recorded in the ESS garden on August 13, 2023
Experimental Sound Studio presents Cuban-born, Boston-based drummer Francisco Mela in a rare solo performance.
Francisco Mela is a favorite among jazz's elite instrumentalists, including such luminaries as Joe Lovano, McCoy Tyner, John Scofield, Ingrid Laubrock, and Esperanza Spalding, among many others, all of whom cite his charisma, sophistication, and life-arming spirit as an extension of his incredible talents as a composer and drummer.
Born in 1968 in Bayamo, Cuba, Mela moved to Boston in 2000 and quickly thereafter made a name for himself on the Boston scene, becoming the house drummer at the legendary Wally’s Café Jazz Club. It was at Wally’s that Mela began developing a concept for his own band, one that would feature the sounds of modern jazz with the traditional music he grew up with in Cuba. World-renowned saxophonist Joe Lovano heard Mela and was immediately impressed, hiring him shortly after to play in his quartet. Since 2005, Mela has been an integral part of Lovano’s quartet and his new group, Us Five, a two-drummer quintet. Their 2009 Blue Note Records recording, titled Folk Art, was considered by many critics to be Lovano’s most adventurous to date. In 2009, he was tapped by jazz legend McCoy Tyner to join his trio. Said Tyner of his new drummer, “Mela is just a fantastic player. He has his own style and his own sound, which is what I look for in a drummer.”
The OPTION series is curated by Ken Vandermark, Lily Finnegan, and Andrew Clinkman.

[@udomatthiasdrums5322]

love it!!

[@antonioramiflorido]

👍👍👍❤

[@tonibasanta3419]

Francisco Mela de Bayamo, 🇨🇺 Cuba. Creditos con Gabriel Hernandez, Esperanza Spalding, Joe Lovano, Uri Gurvich, McCoy Tyner, Kenny Barron, Chucho Valdés y muchos otros muy importantes también!

[@mattnieri1202]

Keepin Pr. Graves' spirit alive with us!!! Thank you, Mr. Mela!! You are gold!