Born in Spain to a Cuban father and Irish mother, Javier Garcia is a composer, arranger, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and singer who performs in the realms of funk, reggae, world, funk, and Cuban rhythms. Javier has achieved gold record sales in three countries and has toured Europe and North and South America. He co-produced a recent album with Academy Award winner Gustavo Santaolalla. He has sung with Nelly Furtado and CeeLo Green, among others, and has written songs for Ricky Martin, Paulina Rubio, and many more. Javier is currently working on his first English album.
Interviewed by Holly Hobbs, 10/02/2020.

Jason grew up in Gainesville, Florida, and has been performing since childhood. He is a musician and actor and has been involved in the theater and music scene for many years. Jason has been a musician in residence at the local hospital’s Arts in Medicine program in recent years and has spent time in Haiti playing music for orphanages, as well as performing in nursing homes and hospitals for sick patients. He performs in a range of genres, including country/rock/folk, and is inspired by Elvis Costello and Tom Petty.
Interviewed by Holly Hobbs, 09/18/2020

Venezuelan cellist Germán Marcano lives in Miami, Florida, with his wife. Marcano has had many roles over the years, including as principal cello with the Simón Bolívar Symphony. He was also a regular guest soloist and conductor with Venezuela’s main orchestras. Marcano has held teaching positions at the Simón Bolívar Conservatory (El Sistema), Emil Friedman School, the Simón Bolívar University, and the Mozarteum School in Caracas. He has given masterclasses at Grand Valley State, Andrews University, the San Diego Youth Orchestra, the University of Iowa, Louisiana State University and the Madison Cello Institute in Wisconsin, Colombia, and Ecuador. He has premiered works from renowned Latin American composers. Among his publications we can count editions of important Venezuelan cello works and three commercial recordings, two of them devoted to folk Venezuelan music. Marcano holds degrees from the University of Surrey and the Guildhall School of Music (England), and a master’s and DMA from the UW-Madison.
Interviewed by Holly Hobbs, 10/07/2020.

Metal/heavy metal musician Gianfranco Martinez De La Torre lives in Tampa, Florida, where he was born and raised. He does promotions and booking for a DIY venue located in a basement called “The Millhaus.” In recent years, he has played in local bands called Spit and Invade as well as filling in for the bands Poster and Bad Human. Most recently, he has been working with local producer Eric Dina on his first demo. The project is planned as a solo four-song self-titled demo tape.
 Interviewed by Holly Hobbs, 10/03/2020.

Nicaraguan musician Fred Mayorga was born in Nicaragua in 1987. He is now based in Miami, Florida, where he emigrated in June of 2000. At the age of 12, he learned how to play Marimba de Arco, Nicaragua’s iconic traditional instrument. In Miami, Fred performs widely throughout the area and is studying music production.
Interviewed by Holly Hobbs, 10/15/2020.