Francisco Mela presents: Viva el Arte Trio

Schedule

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

UTC-05:00

Location

The Mad Monkfish | Cambridge, MA

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

Where is it happening?

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

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 12.51

Icon
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Jamme K. Chantler

Host or Publisher Jamme K. Chantler

Ask AI if this event suits you:

Discover More Events in Cambridge

Learn with PreTexts - The Arts teach (everything)
Wed, 25 Feb at 04:30 pm Learn with PreTexts - The Arts teach (everything)

Harvard University Derek Bok Center for Teaching & Learning

ART
CanalSide at CambridgeSide Hosts FREE Music Bingo
Wed, 25 Feb at 06:00 pm CanalSide at CambridgeSide Hosts FREE Music Bingo

CambridgeSide

MUSIC BINGO
Free Hybrid Lecture: Monumental Ritual Texts in Ancient Egyptian Pyramids
Wed, 25 Feb at 06:00 pm Free Hybrid Lecture: Monumental Ritual Texts in Ancient Egyptian Pyramids

Geological Lecture Hall, 24 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

ART LITERARY-ART
SACC-NE BOARD MEETING 2026
Wed, 25 Feb at 06:00 pm SACC-NE BOARD MEETING 2026

CIC Cambridge

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

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

WORKSHOPS HEALTH-WELLNESS
Jonatha Brooke at Arrow Street Arts
Wed, 25 Feb at 07:30 pm Jonatha Brooke at Arrow Street Arts

Arrow Street Arts

TRIPS-ADVENTURES ART
The Barr Brothers
Wed, 25 Feb at 08:00 pm The Barr Brothers

The Sinclair Music Hall, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Niia
Thu, 19 Feb at 07:00 pm Niia

Regattabar

Takuya Nakamura, Dev\/Null
Thu, 19 Feb at 07:00 pm Takuya Nakamura, Dev/Null

Sonia

Mao Fujita - Cambridge
Fri, 20 Feb at 12:30 am Mao Fujita - Cambridge

Edward M. Pickman Concert Hall

CONCERTS MUSIC
Parking Langhorne Slim
Fri, 20 Feb at 01:00 am Parking Langhorne Slim

The Sinclair - Cambridge

CONTESTS TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Crush - A Dave Matthews Band Tribute
Fri, 20 Feb at 08:00 pm Crush - A Dave Matthews Band Tribute

The Sinclair

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Crush - A Dave Matthews Band Tribute (18 and Over)
Fri, 20 Feb at 08:00 pm Crush - A Dave Matthews Band Tribute (18 and Over)

The Sinclair Music Hall

MUSIC
LIVE MUSIC AT GRAFTON STREET PUB AND GRILL!
Fri, 20 Feb at 09:30 pm LIVE MUSIC AT GRAFTON STREET PUB AND GRILL!

59 JFK St, Cambridge, MA, United States, Massachusetts 02138

MUSIC LIVE-MUSIC
Of Romance and Fantasy - A Flute and Piano Recital
Sat, 21 Feb at 03:00 pm Of Romance and Fantasy - A Flute and Piano Recital

Killian Hall

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
PRIVATE EVENT
Sat, 21 Feb at 05:00 pm PRIVATE EVENT

Sonia

The Brandee Younger Trio
Sat, 21 Feb at 07:00 pm The Brandee Younger Trio

Regattabar

MUSIC
In Praise of Laura Peverara (Cambridge)
Sat, 21 Feb at 08:00 pm In Praise of Laura Peverara (Cambridge)

First Church in Cambridge

CONCERTS MUSIC
WAYLON & CO. LIVE @ SATELLITE w\/ Jobe Freeman (Low Folk)
Sat, 21 Feb at 08:00 pm WAYLON & CO. LIVE @ SATELLITE w/ Jobe Freeman (Low Folk)

Remnant Satellite

What's Happening Next in Cambridge?

Discover Cambridge Events