Album Notes

LATIN GRAMMY NOMINEE 2005
Whether playing conga, timbal, bongo, cajón or a number of other percussive instruments, Paoli's ideas and feelings come to life and will bring a smile to your face and perhaps even a tear to your eyes. The way in which he can bring a group of 20 musicians together as one cohesive sound in a single song (#7 Lo que dice el tambor) speaks to his skill in directing. Yet his two duets (#5 & #8) show that his melodic intuition coupled with his rhythmic strength and ear for silence can be equally as moving and inspiring.

Mixed by Jon Fausty this CD features Jerry Medina, Miguel Zenón, David Sánchez, Conrad Herwig, Luis Perdomo, Antonio Sánchez, Hans Glawischnig, Naren Budhakar, Piro Rodríguez and over 20 other incredibly talented musicians. This production is a collection piece on all levels.

Each song represents part of Paoli's rich knowledge of varied musical traditions including: Rumba, Plena, Bomba, Batá, Salsa, Straight-Ahead Jazz, and even features a duo with Naren Budhakar playing the East Indian tabla. Uniting and fusing influences from around the world, Paoli's first CD will impress and inspire all.

"Puerto Rican percussion ace Paoli Mejias's self-produced album Mi Tambor is a dynamic fusion of progressive salsa, forward-thinking Latin jazz, and folkloric elements..."
- JAZZIZ

"Young Puerto Rican percussionist Paoli Mejías, a veteran of sessions led by such legends as Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Dave Valentín, Marc Anthony, and Luis Enrique, steps out on his own on one of the season’s most enjoyable releases, Mi Tambor, on the leader’s own label..Mejías’ dazzling percussion flourishes provide a dense rhythmic backdrop for such guests as saxophonists David Sánchez and Miguel Zenón and pianist Luis Perdomo. Some tracks are solo forays, while others tap folkloric roots before revealing their more contemporary leanings. An inventive remake of the Puente-penned Santana hit “Oye como va” is frosting on the cake."
- HISPANIC ONLINE MAGAZINE

"A traves de esta produccion independiente [Mi Tambor]...logra una acuarela de ritmos y tesituras que hace de este disco una de las mejores producciones de jazz afrolatino del año actual...Se ha lanzado como lider de su grupo de jazz y aspira a presentarse dentro y fuera de Puerto Rico y, de ese modo, continuar con una carrera que se hizo, en gran parte, en las tarimas de festivales de jazz en todo el mundo..."
- LATIN BEAT MAGAZINE

Please visit Paoli's website www.paolimejias.com for additional information & reviews.

Also check out Paoli's second release "Transcend" www.cdbaby.com/cd/paolimejias2