Francisco Mela presents: Viva el Arte Trio

Wed Feb 25 2026 at 07:00 pm to 08:30 pm UTC-05:00

The Mad Monkfish | Cambridge

Jamme K. Chantler
Publisher/HostJamme K. Chantler
Francisco Mela presents: Viva el Arte  Trio
Advertisement
The luminous master jazz drummer Francisco Mela presents a guitar trio featuring top Berklee student musicians.
About this Event

Francisco Mela presents: Viva el Arte Trio
Francisco Mela, Drums
Tommy Liu, Guitar
Chase Behar, Bass
NOTE:

Immerse yourself in the cozy atmosphere of the Jazz Baroness Room at The Mad Monkfish, where you can sip your favorite drink, savor sushi or Thai cuisine, and enjoy the mesmerizing sounds of a remarkable jazz ensemble. Whether you're a seasoned jazz aficionado or simply seeking a delightful night out, this event promises to be a treat for your senses. To keep this vibrant jazz scene alive, we require a minimum spend of $25 per person, since all ticket proceeds go directly to the musicians. If a guest spends less than $25, the difference will be added to the check—this small gesture helps us keep the restaurant running and the music flowing. We’re grateful for your support—it’s what keeps the spirit of live jazz alive here at The Mad Monkfish.

Our full bar and food menus are available to complement the musical experience, so indulge in our renowned cuisine while supporting live jazz at The Mad Monkfish. Together, we can keep the music playing!

BIO:
Francisco Mela is a favorite amongst jazz's elite instrumentalists, among them, McCoy Tyner Trio, Joe Lovano “Us Five”, Kenny Barron, Quincy Jones All Starts, Esperanza Spalding, John Scofield, Cooper Moore, William Parker, Ingrid Laubrock, Gary Bartz, Bobby Watson, George Garzone and the Fringe . He moved to Boston in 2000 and quickly began as a thereafter at Berklee College of Music, Mela rapidly made a name for himself on the Boston scene, becoming the house drummer at the legendary Wally’s Cafe ́ Jazz Club. It was at Wally’s that Mela began developing a concept for his own band, one that would feature the sounds of modern jazz with the traditional music he grew up with in Cuba.

Fellow Berklee faculty member and world-renown saxophonist, Joe Lovano, heard Mela and was immediately impressed, hiring him shortly after to play in his quartet. Since 2005, Mela has been an integral part of Joe Lovano’s quartet and his new group, “Us Five,” a two-drummer quintet. Their 2009 Blue Note Records recording, titled Folk Art, was considered by many critics to be Lovano’s most adventurous to date. In 2009, he was tapped by jazz legend McCoy Tyner to join his trio. Said Tyner of his new young drummer, “Mela is just a fantastic player. He has his own style and his own sound, which is what I look for in a drummer.”

Mela have released Diez Albums, Melao, Cirio, Tree of Life, Fe, Ancestros, MPT trio Volume one, Music frees Our Souls Vol 1, 2 and 3 with Master Bass player Willian Parker and Cooper More, Causa y Efecto Vol 1 and 2 With Zoh Amba. affirming Mela’s unique niche in the melting pot that is now New York’s “jazz and Avant-Garde” scene.

Francisco Mela is a new member of the Nduduzo Makathini trio who just recorded his first Album for Blue Note records.

Mela is also a faculty member at Berklee College of Music and Mentor of the International Free Jazz Residence Sounds of Freedom in collaboration with Record Label 577.

Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Mad Monkfish, 524 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, United States

Tickets

USD 12.51

Icon
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Ask AI if this event suits you:

More Events in Cambridge

Sustainability in Practice
Wed, 25 Feb at 10:00 am Sustainability in Practice

Schwarzman College of Computing at MIT

Coffee in Color
Wed, 25 Feb at 01:00 pm Coffee in Color

George Howell Coffee & Wine Bar

11th Annual Rare Disease Day Event
Wed, 25 Feb at 01:30 pm 11th Annual Rare Disease Day Event

Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

From the Cold War to University Campuses Today: Antizionist Discourse
Wed, 25 Feb at 04:30 pm From the Cold War to University Campuses Today: Antizionist Discourse

S354, CGIS South Building, 1730 Cambridge Street

Jewish Music and Soviet Evacuees to Central Asia During the Great War
Wed, 25 Feb at 04:30 pm Jewish Music and Soviet Evacuees to Central Asia During the Great War

S354, CGIS South Building, 1730 Cambridge Street

Mike Frengel Trio
Wed, 25 Feb at 05:00 pm Mike Frengel Trio

Middle East - Corner/Bakery

Open House
Wed, 25 Feb at 07:30 pm Open House

Harvard Faculty Club Library - 20 Quincy St. Cambridge, MA 02138

Jonatha Brooke at Arrow Street Arts
Wed, 25 Feb at 07:30 pm Jonatha Brooke at Arrow Street Arts

Arrow Street Arts

The Barr Brothers
Wed, 25 Feb at 08:00 pm The Barr Brothers

The Sinclair Music Hall, Cambridge, Massachusetts

An Evening with Lyle Brewer
Wed, 25 Feb at 08:00 pm An Evening with Lyle Brewer

Lizard Lounge

Wobbly Wednesdays
Wed, 25 Feb at 09:00 pm Wobbly Wednesdays

Middle East - Zuzu

Cambridge is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Cambridge Events