Glenda del E

Genre: World
Secondary Genre: Alternative Miami, Florida USA Contact

“Q-ban Mixology” evolved from Glenda’s trademark, positive and inspiring lyrics and melodie, pop-soul hooks and funk-jazz influenced arrangements defy generally held notions of what Cuban music is and defines her truly unique sound. Glenda del E gives Cuban music a fresh new take.

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Artist Information

Biography

All Of Me:

Glenda del E was born and raised between what she describes as “the best of both worlds” in her native Havana, Cuba and a multi-cultural Toronto, Canada. Growing up in a musical home environment, she gained experience from a very young age and learned how important it is to be persistent and motivated from whom she admires the most-- her mother and father.

If “del Monte Escalante” is Spanish for “the Mount Climber”, then pianist, vocalist and composer Glenda del Monte Escalante's name could not be more fitting, along with her extraordinary instrumental abilities, a unique sound, and a stunning presence. Cuban pianist-singer-songwriter Glenda del E gives Cuban music a fresh new take with ?her exceptional musicality. Her idea of “Q-ban Mixology” in music, evolved from Glenda’s trademark, positive and inspiring lyrics and melodies for all ages, pop-soul hooks and funk-jazz influenced arrangements defy generally held notions of what Cuban music is and defines her truly genuine and real sound. Her music reflects what she is: A strong academic trained musician transcending frontiers and a role model for future generations.

Glenda began musical training at age 7 in Cuba's Music Conservatory Education System, and at the same time performing with her mother, singer Mireya Escalante and her band. In 1998, she moved with her parents to Toronto, Canada, to continue her high school studies and classical training, under scholarship at the ROYAL CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC (TORONTO). Instructed by John Alonso, she performed as a soloist accompanied for the first time by the Counterpoint Community Orchestra conducted by Terry Kowalczuc.

Ms. del E then continued her education and graduated from the UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO FACULTY OF MUSIC's Classical Performance Program, where she studied with Prof. Marietta Orlov and DR. James Parker (Gryphon Trio), followed by a completion of a Masters Degree in Arts (Ethnomusicology and Performance from Toronto's YORK UNIVERSITY. Glenda continues to work on different projects, trying to unveil all the possibilities of her training and experience.

In 2009, she released a live solo recital recorded album of Cuban Classical Piano Repertoire. This was followed by her official debut album Glenda del E's Q-ban Mixology, in 2010. In 2012, her music was selected to be a feature in the Beaches Jazz Festival “New Generation” Compilation CD.

Glenda del E's experience as a session musician, educator and performer, has crossed barriers and frontiers, thus being able to collaborate with musicians from different cultures, ages, and music genres, the same is said for the audiences and places she has taken her music to.

Since her early years in music, she has had one of the greatest pleasures of being part of her mother, singer Mireya Escalante's band Latin Street; first as a synth/keyboard player, where her father Mario del Monte Jr. is musical director and drummer. Glenda had the chance to learn from every musician in the band who were her what she calls “street music school teachers”. Then she moved on to be the pianist and for the first time leader of her parent's band.

Then, in Toronto, the family decided to create a network of young musicians and artists from different cultures where they could each express themselves and collaborate. This beautiful project New Cuban Generation gave Glenda the tools to expand her knowledge in leading and arranging for various band instrumentations, since there were no limits to the creativity and ideas. The concert series of the NCG project involved live music, live painting, spoken word, dance and more.

At the same time she became an educator at her parents' founded Cuban Percussion School Workshops and while attending University, she also held a position as a music educator at Yamaha Music School. “I love composing, and I also enjoy performing and recording, but I truly love to teach, encourage, nurture and inspire younger generations, this is something I inherited from my parents”

Other projects Ms. Del E has been involved in, include Paul Quarrington's Short Film Pavane, where producer Dave Gray invited to such a wonderful project, a collaboration that later led to her debut album in 2010.

Glenda was a feature guest by STARVOX Entertainmnent's Corey Ross, to join the Tropicana Cabaret Big Band tour in Canada in 2006.

Dave Gray and late Billy Bryans, colleagues, friends and former founders of legendary Canadian Parachute Club Band invited Glenda to be part of the beautiful band reunion.

Among her collaborations on stage, in studio or in the classroom, include Toronto's ECHO Women Choir, Axis Music (promote equal access to music instruction, artistic engagement, creativity and musical performances), Leonardo Timor's Miami Big Band Project, Popular music singer-songwriters Carlos Baute, Angel Arce, El Mola, Willie Panama, Malena Burke, Yoyi Soler Quintet, Conjunto Progresso, Alfredo de la Fe, Luis Bofill, The Alexis Valdes Band, EBS (El Buen Samaritano) Band, among others, and a special first songwriting collaboration credit with Amaury Gutierrez.

She has performed at Lula Lounge Toronto World Music Festival, Trane Studio Piano Series, Beaches Jazz Festival, Distillery Jazz Festival, TD Jazz Festival, MOD Club Toronto, Riva del Garda Music Festival (Italy), Belgium Jazz Festival, ASCAP Showcase, Miami Music Festival, Van Dyke Cafe in Miami.

Because an artist never stops from evolving, developing and renewing, Glenda del E at the moment holds a teaching position at Miami Conservatory of Music, continues to compose, songwriting, recording and preparing surprises that as she positively says “will be coming soon to a venue near you”.





Instrumentation

Discography

Glenda del E's Q-ban Mixology

Cuban Pianist-singer-songwriter Glenda del E gives Cuban music a fresh new take with
her exceptional musicality, her piano and her voice… “This is not only about her original compositions and arrangements, but also about producer Dave Gray’s magic touch, the gift of talented musicians and a family legacy.”

“Q-ban Mixology” evolved from Glenda’s trademark, positive and inspiring lyrics and melodies for all ages, pop-soul hooks and funk-jazz influenced arrangements defy generally held notions of what Cuban music is and defines her truly unique, genuine and her real sound.
Her music reflects what she is: A strong academic trained musician transcending frontiers and a role model for future generations.
GLENDA DEL E lead vocal/piano/keyboards/flute(2)/back up vocals
MARIO DEL MONTE Jr. all percussion (3,4,5,8,9)/drums (4,7)/trumpet (1,5)
MIREYA ESCALANTE lead vocal (7)/back up vocals (1,3,5,7,9)
JUAN PABLO DOMINGUEZ bass (1,2,4)
ROBERTO RIVERON acoustic bass (3,6,9)/additional vocal (3,9)
YOSER RODRIGUEZ acoustic bass (8)
OMAR MARTINEZ bass (5)
ODALYS CUESTA bass (7)
ELMER FERRER electric guitar (1,2,5)
PABLOSKY ROSALES tres (3,9)/guitar(3,9)
YORDANIS O’REALLY cajon(6)/percussion(4,6)
MIGUELITO VALDES trumpet(3,4,9)
ALEXANDER BROWN flugelhorn(2)
YAURE MUNIZ flugelhorn(4)
BENNY ‘El Baby’ ESCALANTE lead vocal(9)
IREDIS ‘Puchita’ MENA additional vocal (2)
MARIO DEL MONTE Sr. trumpet(8)
IMARBYS CANETE flute(7)
JORGE MAZA flute(4)
AHMED MITCHEL drums(2)(plays Istanbul & Alchemy Cymbals/Heartbeat percussion.)
ELIJAH WALSH rap vocal(1)
YOSVANI CASTANEDA electric and acoustic violins(7)/back up vocal(7)
SHARON LEE violin(1)
JUDITH MANGER cello(1)

All music and lyrics by GLENDA DEL MONTE ESCALANTE
All arrangements by GLENDA DEL MONTE ESCALANTE
Additional Horn Arrangement by DAVID GRAY/MARIO DEL MONTE Jr. (1,5)
Additional Horn Arrangement by MIGUELITO VALDES (3,9)
Additional Guitar Arrangements by ELMER FERRER (1,2,5)
Additional Tres Arrangement by PABLOSKY ROSALES (3,9)
Additional Percussion Arrangements by MARIO DEL MONTE Jr.(4,8)
Additional Vocal Arrangements by MIREYA ESCALANTE/ DAVID GRAY (1,3,5,7,9)

Produced by DAVID GRAY/ GLENDA DEL MONTE ESCALANTE
Additional Vocal (9) Produced by YUSEF DIAZ ESCOBAR
Recorded at BIG WORLD SOUNDS/ GDELE Records
Additional Vocal Recording (9) at RADIO PROGRESO STUDIO 1 (CUBA)
Engineered by DAVID GRAY/ GLENDA DEL MONTE ESCALANTE
Additional Vocal Engineered (9) GUSTAVO J. DUCHESNE
Assistant Engineer SCOTT KEENAN
Piano Technician MARTIN WORTHY
Mixed by DAVID GRAY
Mastered by PETER J. MOORE
Graphic Design by VICTOR ALVARADO
Photography by ROGER HUMBERT
Makeup & Hair NATALIE VENTOLA
Stylists MIREYA ESCALANTE/ SANSYRAE St. MARTIN
Production Managers & Coordinators GLENDA DEL E/MIREYA ESCALANTE/MARIO DEL MONTE Jr.
Produced with the support of the Ontario Arts Council
All songs © SOCAN 2009

Official Website

http://www.glendadele.com

Links

Audio

Video

Glenda del E (EPK)

Photo Gallery

Press

  • Glenda Del E – Q-Ban Mixology (Self-Produced – 2010) [+ Show ]

    If Glenda del E succeeds in doing what she has set out to do with Q-Ban Mixology, she will be one of...

  • Glenda del E’s Q-Ban Mixology CD Release Fiesta [+ Show ]

    Glenda Del Monte Escalante, aka Glenda del E, released her first CD entitled Q-Ban Mixology. It was ...

  • Glenda del Monte Escalante [+ Show ]

    “It never ceases to amaze me the fine talent which comes out from Cuba. Glenda is a vibrant pianist-...

  • Glenda del E

    "Glenda del E has emerged into one of "Toronto's finest pianists" - Billy Bryans" -

  • Glenda del E Pianist/Singer- Songwriter [+ Show ]

    "The talented Glenda del E brought to the public a night of quality music, mixed with dedication and...

Setlist

2x45 min sets
1x90 min set

Basic Requirements

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