Even as a young girl, Arocena’s talent stood out. She was born in a Havana community defined by Santeria, a Cuban religion that has helped guide her on her path. At the age of eight, she was already performing as a professional musician and dancer. She played a variety of instruments, before eventually deciding to become a singer. Arocena was 11 years old when she joined the big band Los Primos as a vocal soloist, and also won the prestigious Marti y el Arte award at the same age. Soon after, Wynton Marsalis heard her sing, and spoke highly of her improvisational performance skills. During her student years, she formed Alami, a group full of female musicians. After Arocena completed a degree as a choir leader, the Cuban Ministry of Culture invited Alami to perform at the Jazz Plaza Festival in Havana. Their performance stunned the Canadian clarinettist Jane Bunnett, a guest at the festival, who invited Arocena to perform with her in Toronto, before they also collaborated on the 2014 Cuban jazz record, Jane Bunnett & Maqueque. One year later, Arocena recorded her first solo album, Nueva Era. Her interest in electronic music typifies her eclectic range of interests, though she has always remained faithful to her Afro-Cuban roots.

Presented by: Müpa Budapest