Paoli's Latin Jazz Quintet


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	Grammy nominee Paoli Mejias fuses straight-ahead jazz with African, Mediterranean & Caribbean rhythms to create a new dimension of Latin jazz that is energetic, intriguing, & moving. REVIEWS: A whirlwind of speed, intensity, tonal subtlety and rhythmic precision The Seasons Music Festival, Yakima Rifftides Doug Ramsey The virtuoso percussionist Paoli Mejias and his quintet erupted Saturday night in the sedate surroundings of The Seasons. No one was hurt in the explosion; quite the opposite, we all left feeling better… On congas, timbales, bongos and the West African drum called djembe, Mejias was a whirlwind of speed, intensity, tonal subtlety and rhythmic precision… This disciplined, strenuously rehearsed band of fiery young Puerto Ricans can raise your blood temperature. Paoli's energy is reminiscent of those great percussionists & bandleaders, such as Ray Barreto, Roberto Roena & Giovanni Hidalgo Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago Aguzate.org Paoli Mejías marked the last part of "La Peña", the weekly series dedicated to Latin Music at the Old Town School, with a superb concert that highlighted his playful approach to percussion. Paoli's energy is reminiscent of those great percussionists and bandleaders, such as Ray Barreto, Roberto Roena and Giovanni Hidalgo who transmitted and continue transmitting an indescribable contagious passion for the drum. This Grammy-nominated artist will give us a lot to talk about in the next few years. One of the most gifted and musically progressive Puerto Rican percussionists, Mejías brings a harmonious fusion between Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba and Plena, Afro-Cuban Guaguancó, and Jazz. This group brought the house down PuertoRicanChicago.Com Newsletter Carlos Flores 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. He and his band put on a show that was difficult, if not impossible, to follow Latin Percussion: "Heineken JazzFest San Juan, Puerto Rico" On the second night of the festival, something transpired that left the audience in awe. What happened was that LP artist Paoli Mejias was booked in the prestigious Tito Puente Amphitheatre to open for two acts that will remain nameless. Paoli came on with his quintet and delivered such an inspired performance that the audience was left wanting for nothing. He and his band put on a show that was difficult, if not impossible, to follow. PERCUSSIONIST PAOLI MEJIAS PUT ON A TOUR DE FORCE ON CONGAS, BONGOS AND TIMBALES Jazz Improv Performance Review On Friday night percussionist Paoli Mejias put on a tour de force on congas, bongos and timbales, leading his contemporary Latin fusion quintet. Pianist Yan Carlos Artime on piano was one of the highlights - negotiating complex rhythms, and sophisticated harmonies with ease. a welcome infusion of new blood to the Latin jazz tradition Paoli Mejias Latin Jazz Quintet plays The Triple Door Paoli Mejias, young master of the conga and Latin percussion, brings a welcome infusion of new blood to the Latin jazz tradition. Though he is steeped in that tradition, he doesn't follow the old ways by rote, instead pushing the music forward with his own imagination. From his ground in the rich history of Afro/Cuban music, Mejias is creating a genuinely new sound. There is a fresh flexibility to his rhythmic approach, accented by surprising twists and turns, and the instrumental solos of his Quintet are exhilaratingly modern. WATCH THE VIDEO Treasure of the Festival Festival Internacional de Tradiciones AfroAmericanas (FITA) Chefi Borzacchini Without a doubt, the Venezuelan public – the majority being youth – embraced this opportunity to enjoy the rhythms of the leaders in international music, as is the case of Paoli Mejías from Puerto Rico, a true treasure of the Festival. The presence of Cuban masters Tata Güines, Changuito, Horacio "El Negro" Hernández y Papo Angarica; the knowledge of Nigerian Chief Abiodun Agboola, Falokun Fatunmbi of the US, Shangobunmi from Trinidad, and from Haiti Jean Jacques Dardompre; and representing Venezuela Orlando Poleo, Alfredo Naranjo, Negus Nagast and other distinguished percussionists who all participated in the four unforgettable days of the festival of rhythms. Paoli continues to grow, surprise, and delight listeners En Clave Jazz Festival, Chicago Aguzate.org [Paoli's] 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. he left the public speechless and on their feet Sol De Margarita "Jazz con sabor margariteño" Paoli Mejías makes world music. Not only because he shares the idea that music is universal, but because he incorporates in his repertoire rhythms from diverse regions which gives substance and an interesting cadence to the unique and distinctive flavor that characterizes him. As impressive as his talent was his humbleness during the entire festival. With both he left the public speechless and on their feet, as they broke into applause for the passion and intensity with which he plays his drums. The Grammy nomination of Paoli's CD [Mi Tambor] is definitely not in vain, and is one of the 25 possible candidates for the Grammy Awards in February 2006. La química entre estos dos músicos es extraordinaria Nota Musical Magazine El Segundo día del festival se presentó Paoli Mejias y su grupo. Paoli es uno de los percusionistas más talentoso y extraordinario que tiene Puerto Rico. Este se había presentado en el Festival en años anteriores acompañando a otros artistas y por primera vez se presenta con su propio grupo, integrado por el pianista cubano, Yan Carlos Artime, el también cubano Ramón Vázquez en Bajo, Héctor Matos en Batería y Néstor Toro en Saxofon Alto. Paoli interpretó los números Transcend, Revelation, Hello Nany , Oye como Va. En el público se encontraba el saxofonista puertorriqueño Miguel Zenón a quien Paoli le dio las gracias por haber aportado varios números de su más reciente grabación “Mi Tambor”. Hay que mencionar que uno de los números que verdaderamente captó la atención del todo el público presente fue cuando Paoli interpretó el número Hello Nany que fue dedicado a su padre. En este número Paoli hizo un dúo con Yan Carlos Artime en el piano y El en el Bongo. La química entre estos dos músicos es extraordinaria, donde pudimos ver y escuchar como en el Bongo y en el Piano se pudo realizar una conversación musical armoniosa con las líneas melódicas y rítmicas de estos dos virtuosos músicos. El grupo exhibió una energía y un acoplamiento excelente que pocas veces se logra El Vocero: "Variedad de ritmos en el JazzFest" - Élmer González El quinteto del boricua Paoli Mejías comenzó la velada con el tema "Transcend", de Néstor Toro. Un tema que combinó ritmos griegos con líneas melódicas que evocaban motivos flamencos y del Medio Oriente, y que mostró la tendencia a la integración polirrítmica que caracteriza al grupo.... El grupo exhibió una energía y un acoplamiento excelente que pocas veces se logra tomando en cuenta el nivel alto de ejecución que demandan los arreglos y los retos que los músicos de la banda se han impuesto. un explosivo y compenetrado quinteto El Nuevo Día: "Jornada musical de ensueño"- Jaime Torres Torres Respaldado por un explosivo y compenetrado quinteto formado por el bajista Ramón Vázquez, el pianista Yan Carlos Artime, el baterista Héctor Matos y el saxofonista alto Néstor Toro, Paoli Mejías debutó como líder en el evento estrenando varias de las selecciones de su CD Mi tambor. En piezas como Transcend, Revelation, Hello Nany, Mandinga Mondongo y el ingenioso e innovador arreglo que Miguel Zenón le entregó del clásico Oye como va de Tito Puente, Paoli demostró que su crecimiento en el jazz latino discurre con firmeza y brillantez, convenciendo a los presentes de que, hoy por hoy, es uno de los percusionistas más completos del género que domina la percusión menor, los timbales, el bongó e instrumentos de otras culturas, como la vasija de barro, conocida como Udu drum. 'Tengo 35 años y este es el momento de dejar una huella en la música' El Vocero: "Paoli Mejías y el rol de ser líder" - Jorge Meléndez Paoli, quien recientemente se presentó en Seattle, tiene en agenda visitar Venezuela, Panamá y Chicago. Se siente optimista y orgulloso de lo que está ocurriendo en su carrera. 'Tengo 35 años y este es el momento de dejar una huella en la música'... everyone on their feet and dancing to the tune Nota Musical Magazine - Tony Pastrana Paoli played three numbers from his latest CD "Mi Tambor", which was recently released a few weeks ago. His first number was a Miguel Zenon arrangement "Dance Step" followed by "Hello Nany"; this particular number was written by Yan Carlos Artime. It’s a duo with Yan Carlos Artime on Piano and Paoli on Bongos. The chemistry between these two excellent musicians on stage can only be described in one word Awesome. Yan Carlos's smooth melodic playing and Paoli’s rhythmic patterns of playing complimented one another. Closing this segment he interpreted a tune which is called: "Cuidado con la Percusion" which is a Latin Jazz Salsa Fusion which had everyone on their feet and dancing to the tune... no ha descansado ni un instante "Paoli Mejias Con Agenda Llena": Desde que Paoli Mejías lanzó su primer trabajo como solista en el género del jazz titulado Mi Tambor, no ha descansado ni un instante. Se fue quince días de gira por Europa con el reconocido trombonista Conrad Herwig. Luego se unió al bajista Ramón Vázquez en República Dominicana durante una gira de una semana. A su regreso lo aguardaba continuar con su gira promocional y presentarse en el 4to. Festival de Jazz Boriquén. se formó la fiesta verdaderamente El Nuevo Día, San Juan, PR: "Estremecen los acordes del Boriquén" - Mónica Gutiérrez Ortiz ...En tercer lugar llegó al escenario el percusionista Paoli Mejías y ahí fue que se formó la fiesta verdaderamente, porque hay que ver cómo interpretó tres temas de su más reciente disco: The Dance Step, Hello Nany y Cuidado con la percusión; todas fusiones de jazz de este lado del mundo con influencias de los más recónditos parajes del planeta, sobre las que cayó una inmensa avalancha de aplausos, que sin duda despertaron al dios Juracán, que se largó en un aguacero descomunal...
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