Cuban drummer and percussionist Francisco Mela has performed around the globe with some of the leading statesmen of jazz including Gary Bartz, Kenny Barron, JoAnne Brackeen, Joe Lovano, John Scofield, McCoy Tyner, Chucho Valdés, and many others. He has also led his own ensembles (currently The Crash Trio) and has acted as the artistic director of several jazz festivals including the Twin Cities Jazz Festival in Minneapolis, MN.

Mela has released four albums as a leader, all of which have received critical acclaim from numerous critics and publications. His recordings include Melao (2006), Cirio (Half
Note 2008) which was recorded from a week-long residency at New York’s Blue Note, Tree of Life (Half Note 2011) and FE (2016). He is endorsed by Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks,
and Canopus Drums.