For those not in the know, bassist Carlos Mena has launched his solo career with his debut album, Con Personas, which translates to “With The People.” Mena, who began his musical path as a percussionist with folk musicians in South America, created the album to blend music from the Ecuadorian Sierra with jazz and classical influences.

He assembled a trio with pianist Martha Kato and drummer Franco Pinna, inviting vocalist Katherine Yew for backgrounds for his own singing.

While this is his first album as a leader, Mena is an accomplished player on the New York City scene. He’s performed at Jojo Mayer, Antonio Sanchez, Dave Liebman, and more. He’s currently subbing for Bobby Wooten at Moulin Rouge on Broadway.

Check out Con Personas with this studio video of the title track based on the traditional Ecuadorian song “Carnaval de Guaranda.”

C O N P E R S O N A S (With the PEOPLE) Official VIDEO

1. Comenzar
2. Doctor Tarantula
3. Coraza
4. Con Personas (With the People)
5. Close to You (Bowls)
6. Hidden Mountain
7. Vuela

This profoundly beautiful, heartfelt, and incredibly impassioned new album opens on the pronounced rhythmic measures found driving Comenzar and then we get the flirtatiously fervent Doctor Tarantula, the elegant Coraza, the upright bass-led, swing-fused beauty of a title track Con Personas (With the People), before we are brought forth the impassioned Close to You (Bowls), the recording rounding out on another upright bass-led jaunt, this time for the impulsively strident Hidden Mountain, closing on a languishing magnificence of late night, early morning ambiance within Vuela.

Official Website