Paoli Mejias

Born March 7, 1970, in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, percussionist Paoli Mejias forged his path in Latin jazz through persistent effort and personal commitment. Entirely self-taught, he bought his first pair of congas at twelve after absorbing the sounds of conga master Carlos "Potato" Valdes along with the Latin jazz ensembles Batacumbele and Irakere. By copying the patterns he encountered on those recordings, Mejias mastered the instrument’s vocabulary without any formal guidance. During his mid- and late-teen years he appeared regularly at impromptu sessions along the streets and beaches of San Juan, drawing the attention of bandleaders Rafu Warner, José Nogueras, and Charlie Sepulveda. Progressing through San Juan’s performance circuit, he eventually shared stages with the very musicians who had shaped his early listening—Dave Samuels, Dave Valentin, Paquito d’Rivera, Chick Corea, David Sanchez, and Danilo Perez—each drawn to his distinctive mix of melodic nuance and technical speed. Recognized as Puerto Rico’s premier conguero, Mejias has also worked in the studio and onstage with pop figures Luis Enrique, Marc Anthony, and La India. He stepped forward as a leader in 2004, issuing the self-produced Mi Tambor, which earned a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album the following year. Acclaim from critics and peers worldwide marked his sudden emergence from supporting player to central figure. His independently released 2006 album Transcend showcased leading voices from New York’s Latin jazz community.