Cuban vocalist, arranger, composer, and choir director Daymé Arocena makes a soulful mix of jazz and neo-soul, rooted in the West African and Cuban Santeria tradition. After graduating from music school as a choir director, Arocena was invited to perform at Havana's Jazz Plaza Festival. It was during that performance that Arocena caught the ear of Canadian jazz clarinetist Jane Bunnett. Bunnett then brought the young singer to Toronto to perform and featured her on her 2014 Cuban jazz album, Jane Bunnett & Maqueque. Also in 2014, Arocena collaborated with British DJ Gilles Peterson on his Havana Cultura Sessions project and signed to Peterson's Brownswood label. In 2015, Arocena released her debut album, Nueva Era. The EP One Takes followed in 2016. ~ Matt Collar