Motema Music. Artists of power and distinction since 2003.

DownBeat Magazine article for Motema’s 15th anniversary

June 8, 2018

DownBeat Magazine’s feature from the latest issue in honor of Motema’s 15th anniversary.

http://downbeat.com/news/detail/indie-life-motema-music-fosters-intense-creativity

The article features artist Donny McCaslin and founder Jana Herzen who agree that the label uses boundary defying artists and “jazz that tells a story” to foster creativity and thrive in today’s evolving industry.

Arturo O’Farrill Wins Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition

January 28, 2018

Arturo O’Farrill won his fourth Grammy Award this evening at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in New York City. O’Farrill won Best Instrumental Composition for “Three Revolutions” from his latest album Familia: Tribute to Bebo & Chico by Arturo O’Farrill and Chucho Valdes, released in September 2017.

Check out the song here!

Arturo O’Farrill & Chucho Valdes ‘Familia’ Out Now!

September 15, 2017

Familia: Tribute to Bebo & Chico is out now!

On this album, jazz greats Arturo O’Farrill and Chucho Valdés craft a brilliant tribute not only to their fathers but also to the next generation, who will carry forward their legacy. The album brings together two influential families in Afro-Cuban music in a celebration of their late patriarchs: pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader Bebo Valdés and composer, arranger and bandleader Chico O´Farrill. It’s a multi-generational tribute led by O’Farrill and Valdés — Bebo and Chico’s sons, and major figures in their own right — which also features the next generation, including pianist Leyanis Valdés, drummer Jessie Valdés, trumpeter Adam O’Farrill and drummer Zack O’Farrill.

Listen/Download here!

5 GRAMMY Nominations for Motema artists

December 7, 2015

We are thrilled to announce that 3 Motema artists have been nominated in a total of 5 GRAMMY categories: Karrin Allyson‘s Many A New Day: Karrin Allyson Sings Rodgers & Hammerstein for Best Jazz Vocal Album; Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra‘s Cuba: The Conversation Continues for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album and Best Instrumental Composition (The Afro Latin Jazz Suite); and Joey Alexander‘s My Favorite Things for Best Jazz Instrumental Album and Best Improvised Jazz Solo (“Giant Steps”), becoming the youngest artist to be nominated for a GRAMMY in a jazz category!

Click on their names (in red) above to find out more about these amazing GRAMMY nominated albums!

Crain’s Features Arturo O’Farrill’s New Release

August 31, 2015

Crain’s New York Business featured a write-up on Arturo O’Farrill’s latest album, highlighting the strong influence of O’Farrill’s Cuban roots on his dynamic music. Check out the article here!

NBC News Latino Discusses Cuba/U.S. “Conversations” With Arturo O’Farrill

August 28, 2015

David Garten from NBC News Latino sat down with Arturo O’Farrill to discuss his newest release and the role of music in the relationship between nations (in this case, Cuba and the U.S.). Garden praises Cuba: The Conversation Continues as “a combination of music and current events” as it “brings together musicians from the U.S. and Cuba to create an elegant array of music…”

Click here for the full article!