Francisco Mela

Cuban-born jazz drummer Francisco Mela is an in-demand performer and session musician who combines his knowledge of Cuban musical traditions with jazz and contemporary styles. Born in Bayamo, Cuba in 1968, Mela grew up studying the piano and drums and eventually enrolled at the Berklee College of Music in Boston in 2000. Mela's deep expertise in Cuban music and advanced jazz technique soon caught the attention of the school and he quickly moved from student to teacher. In 2001, Mela toured as a member of Jane Bunnett's Spirit of Havana ensemble and later joined saxophonist Joe...