her sound, her life.

Meet Dayren Santamaria

 
 

Dayren was fated to be an entertainer. Born in Matanzas, Cuba, to a professional musician father and an actress mother, she opted for a musical life and chose to study violin at age 8. Her passion for music has taken her on a journey around the world and across musical styles.

Most recently, she formed her band Dayren Santamaria & Made in Cuba in 2015 with some of the best musicians in Los Angeles, including Oscar Hernandez (Piano), Jimmy Branly (Drums/Timbales), Joey De Leon (Congas/Vocals), Carlitos Del Puerto (Bass), to mention a few. They perform nationally as well as internationally. Dayren is the visionary founder and CEO of Santamaria Music LLC, a dynamic new company poised to make waves in the film industry. With a passion for storytelling and a drive for innovation, Dayren brings a fresh perspective to the entertainment landscape. As she enters the film industry at full speed, Dayren is dedicated to enhancing and transforming the cinematic experience for audiences worldwide. With Santamaria Music LLC, she aims to create compelling narratives that captivate hearts and minds, leaving a lasting impact on the world of entertainment.

Early in her career, after graduating from the National School of Arts in Havana, she was a member of the National Symphony Orchestra of Havana and later the concertmaster of the female ensemble Camerata Romeu, documenting with this ensemble in 2002 the film “Cuba Mia” (My Cuba). The film affords a look at the workings of a busy string ensemble as well as a glimpse into their daily life as residents of Havana. Both engagements involved extensive live performance, international touring, recording, and film scoring jobs in a range of genres.

Dayren earned a Master of Music and Performance from the University of South Florida in Tampa. While in Tampa, she recorded and performed with respected artists, performing at various venues, always leaving a bit of herself within the audience’s hearts.

Since relocating to Los Angeles in 2007, she has worked extensively with four-time Grammy Award Winner Oscar Hernandez, who’s considered one of the most gifted and prominent pianists, arrangers, and composers on the contemporary Latin, Latin-Jazz, and salsa music scene. Her performances with the 2011 NEA Jazz Masters Award Honoree and 2018 Downbeat Magazine Flutist of the Year Hubert Laws were thrilling experiences that allowed her to dive deeper into a uniquely sophisticated world of beautifully advanced harmonies.

She also performs in LA with a variety of groups, including performances with Latin Jazz band Jose Rizo’s Mongorama and appears on their Grammy-Nominated 2012 CD, and is a member of actor, musician, and producer Andy Garcia’s band CineSon All-Stars.

Well-schooled in styles spanning classical music, jazz, R&B, salsa, and Cuban folkloric music, Dayren has earned praise from appreciative fans for her passionate renditions of works on both acoustic and electric violin. She provides music suitable for all occasions, whether as an orchestra, ensemble, or group member.

Audiences and fellow musicians in a range of musical styles know that this lady can really play and isn’t limited to reading orchestral scores! Her performance experience and her passion for music are evident.

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