Cuban drummer and bandleader, defying genre and tradition with every funky groove.
Yissy García, composer and drummer, is one of the most powerful artists of the new generation of Cuban musicians. Considered one of Cuba’s most dynamic and innovative musicians who defies genre and tradition with every funky groove, she demonstrates the art of combining traps and percussion, drawing from the wealth of Cuban folkloric and popular styles alongside serious jazz and funk. Yissy has quickly become an iconic figure of female percussion in Cuba and beyond, having performed with the likes of Dave Matthews and Esperanza Spalding, and been likened to “the Cuban version of Terri Lyne Carrington” by Tom Tom Magazine. Since 2012 she leads Bandancha, an off-the-charts quintet that follows the routes of Latin jazz, funk, and electronic music. Its first record, Última Noticia (2015), joined the island´s musical scene as a paradigm of the most contemporary sound. She is part of the line up of Maqueque, together with the Canadian sax player Jane Bunnett, whose first record, Jane Bunnett and Maqueque, won the Juno Award to the best Jazz Album and the second record, Oddara, was recently nominated for the Best Latin Jazz Grammy award.
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Credits
AllMusic verified credits for Yissy GarcíaInterview with Yissy Garcia
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: My last album "Verano Groove" was the first time I made the full production, I also made the mixture and mastering, so It was an unexpected but extremely satisfying experience!
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Digital. I don't have analog equipment.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: Good energy and good rhythm patterns
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Being on stage playing the drums, but also creating and producing. I enjoy the creative process very much.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Question: Can we do a song together ?? Answer: Sure!!!
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Since I am a bandleader, some people expect me to sing
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Questions related to their music style, their purpose with the product and delivery time.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: My style is Latino. The fusion of Latin rhythms with music of different genes for example with POP, Smooth Jazz, a little electronic music.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: All Jazz styles, timba, salsa, fusion.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: The drums: playing, creating with them!
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: At the moment I have a Home Studio with percussion instruments, electronic drums and acoustic drums. I use Logic Pro X to record and produce.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: https://open.spotify.com/album/3W8FqrBrX4nYlzCiKi1NW9?si=ld_g7nTTSnGjM5XIIP5vjw https://open.spotify.com/album/76Y3qoVCEpd4jHkttryrYM?si=dgvjcrENTs6lm9ticxOsRg
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Creating new music for my band and making collaborations with other artists
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Music style and delivery time
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Look always for a provider that can complement your work. Don't look for your same style, think outside the box. It's the only way you are going to obtain a holistic sound and the only way your music is going to grow.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Definitely my computer, keyboard, headphones, drumsticks and my hard drive.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I studied at Cuba's school of music and have been playing the drums since then in diverse music groups that go from salsa, timba to jazz. Around 7 years ago I started my own band, Bandancha. I have 18 years of experience in music.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I create Groove of Drums. I record the drums and send the full tracks, they can be clean or already mixed.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I am deeply inspired by the music of Herbie Hancock, Tom Misch, Alex Cuba, Alain Perez, Tony Succar, Esperanza Spalding, Antonio Sanchez, FKJ, Alfredo Rodríguez Jr, Munir Hossn, Quincy Jones, Dave Foster, to mention the main ones.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Grooves, ideas of structures and a special Cuban versatile touch!
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I am a composer, drummer and percussionist.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Esperanza Spalding, Munir Horss. I really like your music and the sound of your productions.
