Stephania Santiago Mejia

The first time I heard eddie play, I was touched by his musicality and confidence, as time passed he shared a wider range of feelings, a passion to explore and understand, vulnerability, desire, intellectual curiosity and love and respect for his fellow artists, mentors and friends. These characteristics are well represented here, through his carefully constructed compositions and choise of musicians, of which I am lucky to be part of.

Santiago, Cuba, is a place where folks know their local culture, lore, and history. A place where buildings have etched brick detailing and names like Casa Lescay. A place where the arts are beloved, and the Corneta China leads throngs of revelers. A place where young filmmakers, dancers, musicians, writers also begin their careers. A place where your soul is fed by knowledge, community and maduros. Santiago is where I met the Master musician Marcos Fernández (also known as El Brujo Del Tumbao), at his home. He had a piano and we immediately started playing for each other, together and in a round robin frenzy of pure music bonding. He also gave me a reading with the shells and told me stuff about myself that you could not possibly know unless you were me. Often Santiago is called the real Cuba. This is probably because it is closer to Cuba's African roots than Havana.

Ascenso is a collection of works that have, in one way or another, a direct connection to myself. I wanted to present an album that was a representation of my current self, not just as a cellist, but as an artist. My idea is that this is not a cellist’s recording, or an album centered around the instrument, but rather a work that is meant to be experienced as you would a painting on a wall, whatever that may mean to you.

The Santiago Quartet's second album, "Language of the Heart", in collaboration with virtuoso bandoneon player and Tango Music specialist, Julian Rowlands, featuring the Nuevo Tango music of Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla and a beautiful English string quartet by Will Todd.

Simbiose combines two of Brazil’s most thoughtful young guitarists Pedro Martins (winner of the 2015 Montreal Jazz Festival Electric Guitar Competition) and Daniel Santiago for a release that confirms the tradition of Brazilian jazz guitar continues into a new generation. The two join forces in their unbridled creativity, expanding the language and literature of their instruments all while maintaining sensitivity to the distinct nature of being “Brasileiro”.

Daniel Santiago & Pedro Martins are a tremendously powerful and expressive guitar duo. These guys live and breathe guitar, rhythm, melody, harmony, feeling, and sound. It's been my honour to work with them on several different projects both together and individually. This duo is one of the great duos of the ages, and I am grateful to have been involved so closely, having recorded and produced this album in Berlin at Heartcore Studios.

THE DISTANT SHEPHERD from award-winning classical guitarist & composer Santiago Kodela explores the full timbral and emotive range of the instrument in a solo setting. His performance deftly employs iso-rhythms, metric modulation, and chord harmonization to breathtaking effect. Also known for his work in chamber and choral music, Kodela showcases the virtuosic prowess that won him the 1st Prize Gold Medal in the category of Senior Classical Guitar at the 125th edition of the Feis Ceoil, Ireland’s largest classical music competition. Through notes and chords, Kodela’s THE DISTANT SHEPHERD offers an evocative portrait of a lone shepherd tending to his flock.

Simbiose combines two of Brazil’s most thoughtful young guitarists Pedro Martins (winner of the 2015 Montreal Jazz Festival Electric Guitar Competition) and Daniel Santiago for a release that confirms the tradition of Brazilian jazz guitar continues into a new generation. The two join forces in their unbridled creativity, expanding the language and literature of their instruments all while maintaining sensitivity to the distinct nature of being “Brasileiro”.