BAND LEADER, PERCUSSION

A native of Maracaibo, Venezuela, Lali Mejia is a percussionist, band-leader, composer, producer/educator that is deeply committed to the performance of traditional Afro-Venezuelan music as well as other Latin American styles of music. During her career, Lali has shared the stage with prominent musicians and has participated in festivals across the U.S., Caribbean, and Asia. Currently, she is dedicated to leading her Latin music ensemble, Bululú, while composing and producing original music, and bringing it to the live setting.

VOCALIST

Bululú’s lead singer, Sofia Magdalena, is a Puerto Rican-born, Dominican Republic-raised, vocalist, composer and instrumentalist who has been a part of the Mission District community in San Francisco for the past seven years. Influenced by her Caribbean roots as well as her love for jazz, folk and soul, Sofia Magdalena creates a musical aura that invites listeners in. With an MA in Special Education, specializing in Extensive Support Needs with a focus on Autism, she is also a bilingual music educator for children who believes in the power of art and music to build a more inclusive community.

MUSIC DIRECTOR, BASS

Ayla Davila, Bululú's Music Director, is a Bay Area native of Guatemalan descent. A seasoned instrumentalist, composer, arranger, as well as a Berklee College of Music graduate, she one of the most qualified bass players in the Bay Area. Ayla is a founding member of bands such as Los Cenzontles, La Mixta Criolla, Carne Cruda and plays for several Latin bands among them Mario y Su Timbeko, La Moderna Tradición, and Jesus Diaz y su Qba. In addition, she is the music director of the compelling, award-winning Chicanx production called “Pachuquísimo” by Vanessa Sanchez & La Mezcla.

DRUM KIT, VOCALIST

Grammy-winning percussionist and vocalist Omar Ledezma Jr. was born in Caracas, Venezuela. A Berklee College of Music graduate, Omar moved to the U.S. 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 residency program of the SF Ballet. 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 for 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

Norma is a Venezuelan-born vocalist. She started singing folk music at an early age alongside her siblings. Once teenagers, the Kansau siblings had founded a church choir in Venezuela and had the opportunity of touring within the country and several 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 productions 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.