Biography
Daymé Arocena, born in Havana, Cuba in January 1992, is widely recognized as one of the most exciting voices in contemporary Latin and Afro-Cuban music. A musical prodigy from a young age, she began performing semi-professionally at eight and became the lead singer of the acclaimed Afro-Cuban big band Los Primos at fourteen. Her rigorous classical training at the Amadeo Roldán Conservatory, where she studied choir conduction, provided her with a foundation in both Western classical and Cuban musical traditions, including jazz, cha-cha-chá, salsa, and bolero, as well as influences from composers like Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff[2][4][5][6].
Arocena's international breakthrough came as a co-founder and vocalist for the Cuban-Canadian jazz collective Maqueque, led by Jane Bunnett, with whom she won the 2015 Juno Award for Best Jazz Album. Her solo career launched with the critically acclaimed album "Nueva Era" in 2015, earning her a spot on NPR's list of 50 favorite albums and comparisons to legendary singers Celia Cruz and Aretha Franklin. Over subsequent albums, including "Cubafonía," "Sonocardiogram," and "Alkemi" (2024), she has continually reinvented her sound, fusing Afro-Caribbean rhythms, jazz, neo-soul, R&B, and pop, while maintaining a strong connection to her African heritage and Santería faith[1][2][3][4][5][6].
Forced into exile from Cuba due to political persecution, Arocena has lived in Canada and Puerto Rico, where she recorded her latest album with producer Eduardo Cabra of Calle 13. Her genre-defying style and powerful stage presence have made her a beacon for Black and female artists in Latin music, challenging conventions and inspiring a new generation of musicians. Her legacy is marked by her innovative blending of tradition and modernity, and her commitment to representing Afro-Cuban culture on the global stage[1][4][5][6].
Fun Facts
- Daymé Arocena is a devoted practitioner of Santería and often performs dressed in white with a turban to honor her faith[2].
- She was described by NPR's Felix Contreras as 'a cross between Celia Cruz and Aretha Franklin,' a comparison she finds both haunting and honoring[2][4][6].
- Arocena's classical music education in Cuba followed a strict Russian-style curriculum, exposing her to composers like Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff[4].
- She won the Marti y el Arte award in 2007, recognizing her early achievements in Cuban music[6].
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Jane Bunnett - Canadian saxophonist and bandleader; co-founder of Maqueque, spotlighted Cuban women musicians (Maqueque (2014), Juno Award-winning album) [2013–2015]
- Gilles Peterson - British DJ and tastemaker; promoted Arocena internationally via Brownswood Recordings (Brownswood Recordings compilation (2014)) [2014]
Key Collaborators
- Jane Bunnett & Maqueque - Band leader and ensemble; international tours and recordings (Maqueque (2014), Juno Award-winning album) [2013–2015]
- Eduardo Cabra (Calle 13) - Producer of Alkemi, helped shape her latest sound (Alkemi (2024)) [2023–2024]
- Rafa Pabön - Featured vocalist on single 'Suave y Pegao' (Alkemi (2024)) [2024]
- Vicente García - Featured vocalist on 'A Fuego Lento' (Alkemi (2024)) [2024]
Artists Influenced
- Emerging Cuban and Latin female musicians - Arocena's success and advocacy have inspired a new generation of Cuban women in jazz and Latin music (Various; Maqueque project spotlighted Cuban women artists) [2015–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Top Tracks
- AFRO MAMBO (ABUC)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Dayme Arocena has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 22, 2025 | 16:56 | Elegguafrom Cubafonia | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Al Colón |