BAND LEADER, PERCUSSION

A native of Maracaibo, Venezuela, Lali Mejia is a percussionist, composer, producer and music educator specialized in the Afro-Venezuelan folklore as well as Latin American styles of music. During her career, Lali toured and participated in numerous music festivals around the US, Caribbean, China and Japan playing alongside notable Venezuelan musicians. She is passionate about writing, producing and performing original works that help elevate the human spirit and speak to societal themes—especially within the Latino diaspora—bringing them to audiences in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

VOCALIST

Bululú’s lead singer, Sofia Magdalena, is a Puerto Rican born, Dominican Republic raised up-and-coming singer and instrumentalist who has been a part of the Mission District community in San Francisco for the past five years. Influenced by her Caribbean roots as well as her love for jazz, folk and soul, Sofia Magdalena creates a musical fusion environment that invites you in. She is also a bilingual educator who believes in the power of art and music to create a more inclusive community.

MUSIC DIRECTOR, BASS

Ayla Davila, a Bay Area native of Guatemalan descent, is a seasoned instrumentalist, composer, arranger, and one of the busiest bass players in the Bay Area. Ayla has been a founding member of bands such as La Mixta Criolla, Carne Cruda and plays for several Latin bands among them Mario y Su Timbeko, LaTido, La Moderna Tradición and Jesus Diaz y su Qba. Ayla was also a founding member of Mexican roots ensemble “Los Cenzontles” and is currently the music director of the compelling, award-winning Chicanx production called “Pachuquísmo” by Vanessa Sanchez & La Mezcla.

DRUM KIT, VOCALIST

Grammy-winning singer and percussionist Omar Ledezma Jr. was born in Caracas, Venezuela. A Berklee College of Music graduate, Omar moved to the US where he was part of the NYC and Boston Latin music scenes. Currently, Omar teaches percussion at the SF Community Music Center, the California Jazz Conservatory and has been a part of the DISC schools program of the SFBallet. Additionally, he is a founding member of the Ka-Hon Ensemble for the SF Symphony's “Adventures in Music” program and a pioneer in promoting Venezuelan music in the US. In 2014, Omar won a Grammy for “Best Latin Album” with his recording with the Pacific Mambo Orchestra, titled “PMO”.

KEYS

Ruthie Dineen was born in Fairfield, CA and began playing piano at an early age. During her college years at UC Berkeley and while studying abroad in Chile and later living abroad in Costa Rica, music remained central in her life. She is currently the Executive Director of Programs at East Bay Center for the Performing Arts in Richmond, CA. In Dec. 2012, she graduated from the California Jazz Conservatory with a performance degree in Jazz Studies. Ruthie is also a founding member and co-leader of two original music ensembles—RDL+ and Negative Press Project, and also performs with leading Bay Area bands Amie Cota, N’Rumba, Candela and Somos el Son, among others.

STRINGS

Kai Lyons is a bilingual San Francisco native, alumni of Ruth Asawa School of the Arts and the Community Music Center's Young Musicians Program. He is adjunct professor of Jazz Guitar at Cal State East Bay and a recent addition to the San Francisco Symphony's “Adventures in Music (AIM II)” program. He performs regularly with 85-year-old living jazz piano legend Larry Vuckovich, in addition to organ star Wil Blades, performing at SFJAZZ, San Jose Jazz Fest, AT&T Park; and travels the world studying traditional folkloric styles. His music has taken him to Cuba, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Ghana and Morocco.

TROMBONE

Mara Fox is an established freelance trombonist and educator based in the San Francisco Bay Area. For more than 25 years, she has amazed audiences all over the world, working in Jazz, R&B, Latin and Classical genres. Mara recorded and toured internationally with Conjunto Cespedes and the Klezmorim. Locally, she plays with a wide variety of well-known groups including the 2013 Grammy Award winning Pacific Mambo Orchestra, The Purple Ones, The Montclair Women’s Big Band and the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus.

VOCALIST

Jose Gregorio Kansau is a Venezuelan tenor with an ample trajectory in lyrical and popular music. For the past 25 years he has earned numerous awards and recognitions as a vocalist as well as led his own touring ensemble in Mérida, Venezuela, called “Tango Quintet”. His talent, versatility and experience paved the way to various national and international appearances. In 1995, he was endowed with “La Voz Universitaria” a highly prestigious accolade which propelled his career as one of the most notable and powerful vocalists in Venezuela. His passion as a singer lies in the areas of boleros, tangos, classical, jazz and blues.

VOCALIST

Norma was born in Ciudad Ojeda, Venezuela. She is the 4th sibling of a family of 6 (among them, Jose Gregorio) and started singing folk music at an early age alongside her brothers. Once teenagers, the Kansau siblings had founded a church choir in Venezuela and had the opportunity of touring within the country and parts of Europe, earning a number of awards along the way. Norma has been a Bay Area artist for over 20 years, and has participated as a vocalist in musical projects from Venezuela, Perú and México. She brings a healthy dose of joy and enthusiasm to her performances, which are part of her stamp and sound.