Mireya Ramos

Mireya Ramos: Riding out the global pandemic by chance after being invited to perform at WOMAD 2020 in beautiful New Zealand, Mireya I. Ramos is a Latin Grammy-winning and Grammy-nominated violinist and vocalist of Dominican and Mexican descent, raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, born in California and usually residing in NYC.

Before crafting a career as a vocalist, violinist, guitarron player, composer, guitarist, arranger, producer and founder of Flor de Toloache – NY’s first and only all-women mariachi – Mireya Ramos started touring the world as a member of the pro eminent San Juan's Children Choir. Born in California to a proud Dominican Music-loving mother and a big voice, Mariachi-fronting Mexican father, Mireya was raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. At the age of 17, she followed her dreams to New York City where she paid her dues playing Mariachi, salsa, merengue, jazz, R&B and hip-hop. A classically trained violinist by Suzuki method, Mireya's passion is strongest for folk as well as other alternative genres.

With her improvisation skills, colourful violin and vocal textures, Mireya has become one of the top requested Latin artists in New York City. There her Latin-Jazz band Movemiento was the first Latin group to be part of the Music Under New York program and her Mariachi group Flor De Toloache was the first all-female Mariachi ensemble in NYC.

Mireya's multifaceted, open-minded approach to music led her to form an all female Merengue-Jazz group, the 809 Ladies, and to collaborate, perform and record with the likes of John Legend, Miguel, Dan Auerbach, John Prine, Chrissie Hynde, Sara Bareilles, Le Fields, Chicano Batman, Alex Cuba, Chucho Valdez, Eddie Palmieri, Making Movies, Luisito Quintero, Victoria La Mala, Robert Glasper, Pedrito Martínez, Natalia La Fourcade, Thalia, Lila Downs, Cafetacvba, The Beatnuts and more. Mireya's forthcoming debut solo record so far features Mexican Institute of Sound's Camilo Lara, Guatemala's Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno, and long-time David Bowie pianist Mike Garson.

A carefully selected set of originals and Latin American world music will feature for this performance, with an emphasis on improvised music borrowed from rhythmical world of Latin music, including salsa, cumbia, huapango, joropo, merengue, bolero, cha-cha, neo-soul, swing and funk.

Performance Concept
The band comprises of Mireya (Vocals and Violin), Andy Averbuch (Guitar), and Dr Mark Baynes (piano), with Alex Griffith (bass) and Lance Bentley (Drums), playing improvised jazz music using a blend of swing, salsa, joropo, haupango, merengue, bolero, cha-cha, soul, and funk. Mireya Ramos has played at the Wellington Jazz Festival, Auckland at The Tuning Fork, AJBC (sold out), Freida Margolis (sold out), CJC (sold out), Waiheke Jazz Festival (sold out), Creative Jazz Club (sold out), Downbeat, Bottecelli, and Taco Loco. In addition to improvised music, the set will also include dance music to suit a more active listener featuring music for across Latin America. I hope you can join us!

Important: This is a BYO venue, glasses provided, EFTPOS available.