Melvis Santa

Grammy Nominee Melvis Santa is a multidimensional artist, vocalist, pianist and educator. Born and raised in Havana, Cuba, Melvis made a splash at 14 by founding an all-female acapella group that won the 2001 JoJazz Competition and Chucho Valdés deemed as “the best Cuban vocal quartet of the past 30 years.” After graduation from piano and Music Education at the prestigious Amadeo Roldán Conservatory, Melvis was mentored by the finest of Cuban culture like composer Marta Valdés, César Portillo de La Luz; musical directors Roberto Carcassés and Germán Velazco. In 2012 recorded ”Santa Habana” her debut album as a bandleader obtained a Cubadisco Nomination.

Based in New York since 2014 Melvis continues to make a mark as a performer and educator, adding to the Afro-Cuban jazz movement set forth by her ancestors. The New York Times defines her style as possessing 70`s soul underpinnings, yet belonging to the Afro Cuban musical traditions.
Melvis is the recipient of various awards including the Paul Simon Music Teachers Fellowship. She has guest-lectured at universities such us NYU, Yale and conducted residencies at the Harlem Jazz Museum, Boulder and The Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. She is the vocalist of Kenny Garrett's band. Collaborations include Nasheet Waits, Cassandra Wilson, Andy Bey, Charles Tolliver, Josh Evans Big Band, Ravi Coltrane, Arturo O’Farrill, David Virelles, Xiomara Laugart, &Axel Tosca, Sonia Sanchez, Brooklyn Raga Massive, Roman Diaz and Pedrito Martínez.