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Meet the Album and Concert Artists
From Chicago to Quisqueya and back
Julián Pujols Quall | Piano
Mamey's founder and musical director is a Dominican-American pianist and keyboardist, improviser, composer and educator from Chicago who has performed classical and jazz repertoire throughout the continental United States as well as in the Dominican Republic, Spain, Belgium, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Their experience as a curator includes the Discoveries Hear & Be Heard series at Fulcrum Point New Music Project, and The Changes, a trilingual interview show presenting local and international musicians on Lumpen Radio.
Julián is a 2025 National Association of Latino Arts and Culture Institute Fellow and is currently an accompanist at The Joffrey Ballet’s Grainger Academy and has been lead instructor for the Afro-Caribbean Jazz Combo at the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center After School Matters Julián completed a 2024 Banff Center for the Arts Jazz and Sonic Arts composition/performance residency, released the single Rothko; Tlaloc and Totec with Carrier Records in 2023, and most recently had their compositions Chord Prelude and Moriviví premiere at the DiMenna Center for New and Classical Music during the 2024 Yarn/Wire Institute Festival in New York.
Original compositions are central to two projects they direct: Julián and Friends, a collaborative composition concert series running since 2022 at The Jazz Showcase, featuring guest artists such as Corey Wilkes, Lorin Benedict, Levi Lu, Brandon Woody, Kweku Sumbry and Vincent Davis, and Mamey, a jazz project founded in 2023 centering on the exploration of Dominico-Haitian musical traditions as catalysts for contemporary improvisation, composition, and dialogue.
On Album: Musical Director and Composer
Piano, Keyboards, Vocals (1-8)
Julián is a 2025 National Association of Latino Arts and Culture Institute Fellow and is currently an accompanist at The Joffrey Ballet’s Grainger Academy and has been lead instructor for the Afro-Caribbean Jazz Combo at the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center After School Matters Julián completed a 2024 Banff Center for the Arts Jazz and Sonic Arts composition/performance residency, released the single Rothko; Tlaloc and Totec with Carrier Records in 2023, and most recently had their compositions Chord Prelude and Moriviví premiere at the DiMenna Center for New and Classical Music during the 2024 Yarn/Wire Institute Festival in New York.
Original compositions are central to two projects they direct: Julián and Friends, a collaborative composition concert series running since 2022 at The Jazz Showcase, featuring guest artists such as Corey Wilkes, Lorin Benedict, Levi Lu, Brandon Woody, Kweku Sumbry and Vincent Davis, and Mamey, a jazz project founded in 2023 centering on the exploration of Dominico-Haitian musical traditions as catalysts for contemporary improvisation, composition, and dialogue.
On Album: Musical Director and Composer
Piano, Keyboards, Vocals (1-8)
Jonathan Suazo | Alto Sax
Jonathan is an award-winning Puerto Rican saxophonist, composer, and educator whose work bridges Afro-Caribbean traditions and contemporary jazz through a powerful cross-cultural lens. Grounded in heritage and driven by emotional storytelling,
Suazo uses music as a vehicle to share the rhythms, histories, and lived experiences of the Caribbean within a modern jazz framework.
In 2023, Jonathan was named one of the Top Ten Emerging Jazz Artists by the GRAMMYs, marking a major milestone in his career. That same year, his debut album Ricano (Ropeadope Records) was recognized by The New York Times as one of the Best Jazz Albums of 2023, further establishing him as a distinctive and important new voice in the genre. A graduate of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute (Master of Music), Suazo has received numerous honors and national recognitions for both artistic excellence and community impact
On Album: Alto Saxophone (1-6, 8)
Suazo uses music as a vehicle to share the rhythms, histories, and lived experiences of the Caribbean within a modern jazz framework.
In 2023, Jonathan was named one of the Top Ten Emerging Jazz Artists by the GRAMMYs, marking a major milestone in his career. That same year, his debut album Ricano (Ropeadope Records) was recognized by The New York Times as one of the Best Jazz Albums of 2023, further establishing him as a distinctive and important new voice in the genre. A graduate of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute (Master of Music), Suazo has received numerous honors and national recognitions for both artistic excellence and community impact
On Album: Alto Saxophone (1-6, 8)
Tafa Mi-Soleil | Featured Artist
Tafa Mi-Soleil Evenie Rose Thafaïna Saint-Louis, better known by her stage name Tafa Mi-Soleil, was born in 1998, in Fort Jacques, Haiti. She is a rising star in Haitian music, with a unique voice and a deep commitment to promoting women’s and minority rights. In addition to her music, Mi-Soleil is involved in theater and painting. She is even about to launch her own fashion house to explore her passion for haute couture.
In 2023, Mi-Soleil was selected as “Best Female Variety Artist” by Haiti’s Ticket Magazine and “Best Female Artist of the Year” at the Haitian Music Awards. In addition to her music, Tafa Mi-Soleil is involved in theater and visual arts. She has been featured in various cultural events, including the Festival Nègès Mawon, where she contributed to discussions on social issues. Her work often reflects themes of resilience and cultural heritage, as seen in songs like *Lakou*, which highlights traditional healing and the power of nature. With her diverse talents and impactful music, Tafa Mi-Soleil continues to rise as a prominent figure in Haitian arts and culture.
On Album: Lead Vocals (4) and Background Vocals (2)
In 2023, Mi-Soleil was selected as “Best Female Variety Artist” by Haiti’s Ticket Magazine and “Best Female Artist of the Year” at the Haitian Music Awards. In addition to her music, Tafa Mi-Soleil is involved in theater and visual arts. She has been featured in various cultural events, including the Festival Nègès Mawon, where she contributed to discussions on social issues. Her work often reflects themes of resilience and cultural heritage, as seen in songs like *Lakou*, which highlights traditional healing and the power of nature. With her diverse talents and impactful music, Tafa Mi-Soleil continues to rise as a prominent figure in Haitian arts and culture.
On Album: Lead Vocals (4) and Background Vocals (2)
Ethan Bailey-Gould | Guitar
An ever-captivating improviser, Ethan Bailey-Gould pushes the boundaries of creative expression through his skillful exploration of both the electric guitar and guitar pedals as instruments. Ethan's music transcends the confines of traditional instrumentation, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in vivid sonic landscapes that captivate the senses. Ethan brings a Caribbean sensibility shaped in part by his Jamaican roots, contributing an encyclopedic knowledge of his instrument in that context
On Album: Guitar (1-4, 6, 8)
On Album: Guitar (1-4, 6, 8)
Oscar Evely | Drums
Canadian drummer based in New York who is a 2024 Young Arts Winner with Distinction and currently a jazz performance student at Manhattan School of Music. Oscar has played at jazz venues around the country including the Jazz Showcase in Chicago, Smalls in New York and Keystone Korner in Baltimore.
On Album: Drums (1-6, 8)
On Album: Drums (1-6, 8)
Otoniel Nicolás | Percussion
Otoniel Nicolás He is a renowned Dominican drummer and percussionist, born in Santo Domingo. He is widely respected in the Latin music scene for his mastery of the core percussion instruments of merengue and bachata (tambora, güira, congas, and bongos), as well as for incorporating Afro-Dominican rhythms into modern drumming. Son of the famous Dominican musician and composer Joe Nicolás, professor of electric bass and director of the Jazz Band and the Popular Music Department at the CNM (National Conservatory of Music) in Santo Domingo.
His first musical influence was the late Dominican percussionist Ángel Miró Andújar (Catarey), who introduced him to percussion—specifically the tambora. He then continued to explore and study Dominican percussion, eventually mastering the basic percussion of merengue and bachata (tambora, güira, congas, and bongos). Later, he began listening to Afro-Cuban music and found it very interesting, so he started practicing it by listening to La Fania All Star, Irakere, Batacumbele, Carlos Santana, among others.
On Album: Percussion (1-8)
His first musical influence was the late Dominican percussionist Ángel Miró Andújar (Catarey), who introduced him to percussion—specifically the tambora. He then continued to explore and study Dominican percussion, eventually mastering the basic percussion of merengue and bachata (tambora, güira, congas, and bongos). Later, he began listening to Afro-Cuban music and found it very interesting, so he started practicing it by listening to La Fania All Star, Irakere, Batacumbele, Carlos Santana, among others.
On Album: Percussion (1-8)
JBlak | Percussion | June 27
Jonathan “JBlak” Troncoso is the lead percussionist for Yasser Tejeda y Palotré, an Afro-Dominican fusion band. His deep knowledge of Afro-Dominican rhythms such as palos, salves, kongos, sarandunga, and pri pri, as well as Afro-Cuban rumba, batá, palo, and abakuá, and Afro-Puerto Rican bomba and plena, has made him a key figure in the Afro-Caribbean music scene in New York and beyond.
Mentored by elder master percussionists like Manolo Mota, Florentino Mejia, and Roman Diaz, Jonathan has been instrumental in connecting African diaspora communities through music. Jonathan appears on recordings by Elio Villafranca, Yasser Tejeda & Palotré, Hurray For The Riff Raff, and Sonido Isleño. He has performed with renowned artists such as Arturo O’Farrill, Pedrito Martinez Group, Yosvanny Terry, and more. He co-founded the pan-Caribbean ensemble Ilu Aye in 2003 and has performed at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Apollo Café. Jonathan currently resides in New York City.
Mentored by elder master percussionists like Manolo Mota, Florentino Mejia, and Roman Diaz, Jonathan has been instrumental in connecting African diaspora communities through music. Jonathan appears on recordings by Elio Villafranca, Yasser Tejeda & Palotré, Hurray For The Riff Raff, and Sonido Isleño. He has performed with renowned artists such as Arturo O’Farrill, Pedrito Martinez Group, Yosvanny Terry, and more. He co-founded the pan-Caribbean ensemble Ilu Aye in 2003 and has performed at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Apollo Café. Jonathan currently resides in New York City.
Toncau | Bass | June 27
Toncau, formerly Dwight Augustin, is a San Francisco-based Haitian bassist.
Micah Collier | Bass
One of Chicago's young and promising bassist, teacher and composer. His artistic love of traditional jazz and funky bass lines helps to create a powerful musical voyage. Micah has grown in Chicago’s jazz scene by participating in The Jazz Institute of Chicago’s Jazz Ambassador program and Ernest Dawkins Young Masters program, while being mentored by international musicians Vincent Davis, Michael Manson and Junius Paul who helped to shape his diverse sound.
Leading his band Proximity and the Aléc Trio across the Chicago area performing at venues such as Dorians, Andy’s Jazz Club, The Jazz Showcase, The Promontory and the Pritzker Pavilion. As well as playing the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, Worldwide Music Fest, Le Guess Who, North Sea Jazz Fest, Belgrade Jazz Festival and the Heidelberg Jazz Festival. Micah has had the pleasure of playing with artists such as Aja Monet, Dee Alexander, Marquis Hill, Isaiah Collier, Kendrick Scott, Keyon Harold, Ashley Henry, Corey Wilkes and Makaya McCraven.
On Album: Bass (1-6, 8)
Leading his band Proximity and the Aléc Trio across the Chicago area performing at venues such as Dorians, Andy’s Jazz Club, The Jazz Showcase, The Promontory and the Pritzker Pavilion. As well as playing the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, Worldwide Music Fest, Le Guess Who, North Sea Jazz Fest, Belgrade Jazz Festival and the Heidelberg Jazz Festival. Micah has had the pleasure of playing with artists such as Aja Monet, Dee Alexander, Marquis Hill, Isaiah Collier, Kendrick Scott, Keyon Harold, Ashley Henry, Corey Wilkes and Makaya McCraven.
On Album: Bass (1-6, 8)
Edgar Molina | Percussion
Dominican musician and composer Edgar Molina began his musical training as a teenager at the IMC (Institute of Contemporary Music), where he first studied guitar and harmony, then percussion until finally researching Dominican folklore under the direction of Edis Sánchez. In 2001, he continued his studies at the National Conservatory of Music of Santo Domingo.
In his development as a percussionist, he has been part of various groups and participated in recordings with artists such as José Alberto (El Canario), Concha Buika, Pavel Núñez, Chichí Peralta, Retro Jazz and many others. His solo musical projects have brought him to the stages of TEDxSantoDomingo, DR Jazz Festival and Expo Dubai 2020, among others.
On Album: Percussion (2-8)
In his development as a percussionist, he has been part of various groups and participated in recordings with artists such as José Alberto (El Canario), Concha Buika, Pavel Núñez, Chichí Peralta, Retro Jazz and many others. His solo musical projects have brought him to the stages of TEDxSantoDomingo, DR Jazz Festival and Expo Dubai 2020, among others.
On Album: Percussion (2-8)
Edilio Paredes | Featured Artist
In the annals of popular music throughout the world, it is difficult to find a single figure who has had as much influence in the forging of a style as Edilio Paredes has in the creation of bachata. Recording the lead guitar on “many more than a thousand” tracks over three decades, Edilio shaped a new genre; his arrangements distinguished bachata from the bolero out of which it emerged, and set the framework within which bachateros continue to operate even today.
From bachata’s seminal days until the early 1990’s, Edilio Paredes directed and recorded the most important work of the music’s most important artists, and along the way inspired three generations of Dominican guitarists.
On Album: Requinto guitar (6)
From bachata’s seminal days until the early 1990’s, Edilio Paredes directed and recorded the most important work of the music’s most important artists, and along the way inspired three generations of Dominican guitarists.
On Album: Requinto guitar (6)
Kweku Sumbry | Featured Artist
Kweku Sumbry is a multi-percussionist, sound healer, composer, and bandleader from Washington, D.C. He's grounded in the traditions of the Djembe Orchestra, and his journey began at age four, studying under his uncle and founder of Farafina Kan, Mahiri Fadjimba Keita. Today, Kweku proudly serves as the artistic director of the ensemble, continuing its rich legacy.
With a mission to heal through the power of the drum, Kweku has collaborated with a diverse array of artists. His extensive work includes performances and recordings with Ganavya Doriswami, Ambrose Akinmusire, Cyrus Chestnut, Solange, and Shabaka Hutchings. A core member of the acclaimed Immanuel Wilkins Quartet, Kweku contributed to their three Blue Note Records releases: Omega (2020), The 7th Hand (2022), and Blues Blood (2024). The group was recently honored as Best Jazz Ensemble by Downbeat Jazz magazine.
On Album: Djembe (3)
With a mission to heal through the power of the drum, Kweku has collaborated with a diverse array of artists. His extensive work includes performances and recordings with Ganavya Doriswami, Ambrose Akinmusire, Cyrus Chestnut, Solange, and Shabaka Hutchings. A core member of the acclaimed Immanuel Wilkins Quartet, Kweku contributed to their three Blue Note Records releases: Omega (2020), The 7th Hand (2022), and Blues Blood (2024). The group was recently honored as Best Jazz Ensemble by Downbeat Jazz magazine.
On Album: Djembe (3)
Sanu Basu | Featured Artist
Born and raised in Washington, DC, Sanu Basu has studied West African percussion and culture since the age of 2 and has been performing professionally for nearly 24 years.
Initially introduced to West African drumming through studying with Senegalese Master Drummer, Medoune Gueye, Sanu studied the teachings, traditions, and styles of Senegalese music.
Following that, he began studying the musical traditions of other West African countries including Mali, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, with a heavy emphasis on Guinea, by way of Mahiri Keita Edwards. Through studying with Mahiri, Sanu joined Farafina Kan West African Dance Company and expanded his journey as a professional musician. He has also performed on renowned stages such as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Brooklyn Academy of Music and Barclays Center for the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards.
On Album: Percussion (8)
Initially introduced to West African drumming through studying with Senegalese Master Drummer, Medoune Gueye, Sanu studied the teachings, traditions, and styles of Senegalese music.
Following that, he began studying the musical traditions of other West African countries including Mali, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, with a heavy emphasis on Guinea, by way of Mahiri Keita Edwards. Through studying with Mahiri, Sanu joined Farafina Kan West African Dance Company and expanded his journey as a professional musician. He has also performed on renowned stages such as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Brooklyn Academy of Music and Barclays Center for the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards.
On Album: Percussion (8)
Levi Lu | Featured Artist
Qiujiang Levi Lu is an experimental musician, media artist, and composer based in the United States. Lu invents electroacoustic instruments that use the human body as a vessel for transhumanist, embodied sound. They extend the body with cyborg-like augmentations, such as an intraoral microphone speaker feedback system, and an amplified laptop instrument, built for visceral intensity and hyperkinetic performance.
Lu’s performances unfold as choreographed, ritual-inflected improvisations that bring Chinese lineages into conversation with contemporary noise and embodied technology. Their work moves through themes of body dysmorphia, queerness, and spirituality that draws audiences into a physical kind of listening where sound feels intimate, unstable, and sometimes unsettling.
On Album: Synthesizers, Electronics (7)
Lu’s performances unfold as choreographed, ritual-inflected improvisations that bring Chinese lineages into conversation with contemporary noise and embodied technology. Their work moves through themes of body dysmorphia, queerness, and spirituality that draws audiences into a physical kind of listening where sound feels intimate, unstable, and sometimes unsettling.
On Album: Synthesizers, Electronics (7)
Plays June 27
Plays June 27
Sings June 27
Plays June 27
Plays June 27
Plays June 27
Plays June 27
Plays June 27
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