Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Kali.
Hi Maria, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My musical story begins when I was a toddler, my father introduced me to the guitar. I was always surrounded by great Colombian, Cuban, Puerto Rican music, as well as vocal and instrumental jazz records. On my mother’s side, my grandparents were also pioneers of the electric guitar in Colombia and luthiers of the first electric guitars known in the country. My love for the guitar has always guided me and served as a bridge to discover other instruments, sounds, people, songs, and the incredible cities and small towns of where I come from. I was born in Cali, Colombia and therefore, I’ve always felt a strong connection to the Pacific. I remember listening to Maestro Gualajo one night and being enchanted by the connection with the sounds of the jungle evoked by the marimba; A noble being, who was literally put on the marimba as soon as he was born.There was always something beyond that motivated him to continue his sound, human, and spiritual quest. Listening to the marimba players and the female singers, watching and enjoying the traditional (and not so traditional) dances, being part of the arrullo, enjoying the sounds of Mama Africa with a blend of the native sound of the territory and Amerindian melodies and knowledge. My mentor “Teto” Ocampo also led me to question and open the sound of my guitar to other horizons. He led me to learn traditional gaita, charu melodies, Arhuaco, Kankuamo, Naasa, Cubeo chants, songs from different indigenous cultures that inspired me and paved a path of woven sound brought by the sagas of the mountains, Wayuu women, by the mamos and older brothers who came from the Sierra Nevada to Bogota to make “pagamento” and share their knowledge with the “urban-ancestrals”, who had the mission of sharing it with our brothers from the North. It was during an “Abrazos de Tambor” where I fell in love with the percussive sound of the heart; different types of traditional drums beating for 10 days and nights without sleep. This entire journey led me to create, explore, live, and feel the music I hear in my core, my mind, dreams, my emotions and to continue explore my roots deeply. In the Caribbean the great Palenque de Benkos will always be a great inspiration, learning from Henry Ortiz & Gaiteros de Ovejas from the region of Montes de Maria, as well as maestro Willy B. From Providence Island was a heart warming and incredible experience that I continue to cherish and include in my music on the daily. I can’t leave behind the sound of Carmen McRay, Billie Holiday, Barry Harris, Ray Charles, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk who greatly inspired me to improvise, study melodies and harmonies more deeply and freely. They awoke in me the desire to head to New York to learn more about jazz, african-american culture as well as late-night jams in Harlem, Greenwich Village, Brooklyn and the Bronx.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Moving to New York City was a challenge. As everyone knows it is not an easy city to position yourself in. It was. a huge change living in the big apple, the cold weather, seeing snow for the first time (which was definitely fun for the first days!) The hard winter months away from home, not speaking in your mother tongue as well as not having my family close were definitely challenging. Nevertheless I am grateful for the great opportunities, the amazing musicians, the city and the beautiful people I met and all the knowledge that was shared from great mentors such as Barry Harris, Roy Hargrove, JD Allen.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Her most recent single is entitled “La Caracola” which will premiere the music video this summer. You can also download La Kilomba, Candelaria Soy, Awo, Veneno which are all original compositions. Inspired by the ocean, love and nature. In her music you will hear traditional ethnic instruments such as gaitas, millo flute, marimba, alegre, tambora, bombo and cununo drums.
Maria Kali performed consistently in New York with her own Quintet. She graduated from the National University of Colombia as a professional musician with a major in jazz. She also played with various recognized musicians in the scene such as Benny Rubin Jr, Ian Kenselaar, Kayvon Gordon, Joaquin Pozo, Mulele Matondo as well as some of the most renowned colombian musicians such as her mentor: Ernesto “Teto” Ocampo, Hugo Candelario, Nidia Góngora, Urian Sarmiento & Afroneto.
Most recently she has been performing in Miami where the Latin influence and electro house music have become part of the live musical experience playing with renowned DJs such as DJ Anané World, DJ Xandy, Chongotronik; as well as more traditional projects such as La Pazyflora and the musicals Oskuneru and Seussical.
Music brings people together and bridges generations.
How do you think about happiness?
Meeting and collabing with so many creatives in Miami from different nationalities and backgrounds has definitely brightened up my days! I definitely feel inspired and soothed by the magic of the ocean waves as well as the different projects, sounds, cultures and gastronomy that this beautiful city has to offer. Also I am so happy to be able to create and record with different artists from Bogota, Cali and the Caribbean as well as being able to travel back and forth to see my beautiful family!
Pricing:
- 1,200
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mariakali.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariakalimusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariapaula.pulgarin.7
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-pulgarin-11929a42/
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/J6rPTMLDQU8?si=Ri2uDMC93CepnaxU
- Other: https://www.gigsalad.com/maria_kali_miami_beach
