Mari

Mari was born in La Habana, Cuba and raised in Miami, Florida. Congas, espressos, the sounds of Celia Cruz, run through her veins and have pumped her heart with passion for music and entertainment.  A natural born talent and artist, she began drumming at the early age of twelve and then started studying music in High School under Victor Lopez, Gloria Estefan’s Miami Sound Machine Music Director at the time, who further inspired her by spotting and identifying her natural abilities as a percussionist and drummer.  Mari has a unique flair and diverse genre of influences including Antonio Carlos Jobim, The Jacksons, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Santana, Earth Wind & Fire, Gino Vannelli and Brand New Heavies while appreciating new artists like Bruno Mars, Daft Punk and many more. She truly enjoys and feels the grooves of Latin, pop, funk, rhythm and blues, fusion jazz, disco, sambas, bossa novas, rock and the variety that comes with them all. She was also honored with an invitation by Chubby Tavares to share the stage with him as his drummer performing songs from the well-known Top Billboard Hits made famous by “Tavares”and she was chosen amongst hundreds of talents for the national release of Miami Vice’s, “You Belong to the City” Pepsi Campaign which featured mega artist Glenn Frey and Actor; Don Johnson, under the direction of the famous Ridley Scott as a prime dancer for his multi-million-dollar production. Mari has been compared to one of her favorite artist, Sheila E.  Whether playing congas, timbales or drums in a high-energy show or supporting side musician you can count on Mari being a great asset to any production, show or event.