Turiya Mareya
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Turiya Mareya

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Band Latin World

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This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

The best kept secret in music

Press


""If you want intensity, Turiya can turn it up."

"If you want intensity, Turiya can turn it up. If you want a solid groove, she is on the money. If you want background music, Turiya will hit you in the head and change the way you listen." - Miff Mole, Jazz 88 San Diego


"Cafe' Con Leche"

"For Latin Jazz aficionados, Turiya Mareya is the real deal. .the music is intoxicating and leaves you wanting more. Beautiful and unique compositions, improvisational mastery and passionate musicians. " A delight. Amanda Martinez Host of Café con Leche, JAZZFM91. - Toronto Daily


"Tijuana Latin Jazz Project"

Jazz en español


Tijuana has long been a haven for punk and electronica, plus the top-40 and hip-hop blaring from clubs along Avenida Revolución.


On April 1, however, Turiya Mareya hopes to diversify the city’s musical portfolio. The former pianist and woodwind player of San Diego jazz band Kokopelli will begin a new weekly concert series at Casa de los Suenos. The program will include jam sessions, composer-driven performances and spoken word.


“We are going to attempt to combine traditional Mexican folkloric music with an improvisational jazz approach,” said Mareya. “There is a great appreciation for jazz [in Mexico]. However the aspect of combining the Mexican elements is new and hitting home in the community.”


Mareya chose Casa de los Suenos because of the young, passionate crowd. The venue is often a meeting place for Frente, a group of activists involved in the Zapatista movement in Chiapas, Mexico, and other politcal causes.


“It is a fascinating time in Tijuana now, with lots of young, intelligent, dedicated people with a strong sense of culture,” she remarked. “There is [currently] a redefining of what it means to be Mexican and what the new political and social reality is.


“The ultimate goal of this series is to subvert the disgraceful and ugly artificial border by creating new connections of a spiritual and artistic nature,” Mareya added “But, hopefully, we can also demystify Tijuana for jazz musicians from the U.S.A. and sow the seeds for future cross-cultural projects.”


San Diego City Beat April 2006 - San Diego City Beat


Discography

Recordings: Turiya Mareya and The Kokopelli Latin Jazz Ensemble

From 1998 to 2002 The Kokopelli Latin Jazz Ensemble was one of the most creative and popular groups in Southern California. KOKOPELLI performed for 6 years at Croce's Jazz Bar in the Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego. Festival appearances include: The Big Sur Jazz Festival, The Idyllwild Jazz Festival, and The Calle Diez Latin Festival. They have opened up for Eddie Palmieri, Pancho Sanchez, Arturo Sandoval, Jane Bunnet and The Spirits of Havana. The group became inactive in 2004 when drummer Skip Howlett became very ill and subsequently pianist Turiya Mareya moved to Europe. This CD documents the group at the height of their creativity and power.
“La Luz Eterna” features original music by Turiya Mareya and one track composed by her mentor and teacher Daniel Jackson. It was recorded live at San Diego City College in 2002 as part of their “Jazz Live” weekly series. This is the legendary group at it’s finest and is the first of a series of 3 CD’s documenting the groups spiritual, powerful and healing music.

Available on CD Baby, Tower Records, MP3.com

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

Turiya began studying Jazz at 15 years of age. She was Originally mentored by San Diego Jazz legend Daniel Jackson, Mareya followed his example by becoming proficient on both piano and reeds and focusing on playing her original compositions. She continued her work in New York, studying at the Creative School of Music. Later she toured Mexico with the Taumbu International Ensemble. All of those experiences help mold her unique approach based on World Music influences and drawing on the trance inducing and spirit calling focus of African and Indigenous approaches to music. She honed her abilities in Latin Jazz heading the Kokopelli Latin Jazz Ensemble where she had the privilege to work with drummer Skip Howlett known for his work with Mongo Santamaria and Tito Puente, as well as Cuban Bassist Ignacio Arango. For 6 years the group held a Sunday nightspot at Croce's Jazz Bar in San Diego and performed at Jazz Festivals opening for artists such as Arturo Sandoval, David Murray, Eddie Palmieri, Poncho Sanchez and Jane Bunnet. She has performed at Venues and Festivals in Madrid, Havana, Toronoto, Vacouver, Juneau, Vera Cruz, Mexico City, Tijuana and San Diego.