Drummer Francisco Mela to Play NYC's Jazz Standard, 10/30-10/31, Boston's The Scullers Jazz Club, 11/29

Acclaimed Cuban-born drummer Francisco Mela is set to perform at Jazz Standard in New York City and The Scullers Jazz Club in Boston, MA in the coming months with his Cuban Safari and a special quartet consisting of Ben Williams, Gilad Hekselman and Ben Wendel.

Francisco Mela’s latest project, Cuban Safari, is an amalgamation of his favorite bands that inspired him to become a drummer – MiLes Davis’ fusion group featuring Chick Corea and Keith Jarrett, Weather Report, and the Latin-jazz super group Irakere. On his 2nd release on Half Note, Tree of Life, Mela offers a passionate fusion of Cuban polyrhythms and propulsive modernism. The album is spirited evidence of Mela?s distinguished place among young group leaders.

The four concerts at Jazz Standard (116 E 27th Street between Park and Lexington) are on October 30 and October 31 at 7:30PM and 9:30PM. The first night will feature the Francisco Mela Quartet (Francisco Mela, drums; Gilad Hekselman, guitar; Ben Williams, bass; Ben Wendel, saxophone). The second night will feature Francisco Mela's Cuban Safari (Francisco Mela, drums; Elio Villafranca, piano; Peter Slavov, bass; Uri Gurvich, alto saxophone; Arturo Stable, percussion). For tickets, priced at $20, visit www.jazzstandard.net or call 212-576-2232.

On November 29, Francisco Mela's Cuban Safari (Francisco Mela, drums; Elio Villafranca, piano; Peter Slavov, bass; Uri Gurvich, alto saxophone; Arturo Stable, percussion) will play The Scullers Jazz Club (400 Soldiers Field Rd, Boston) at 8PM. Tickets are $25 for just the show or $65 for the show and dinner. For tickets, visit www.scullersjazz.com or call 617-562-4111.