Latin Jazz Percussionist Mayra Casales Is A Woman On Fire

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New York based artist Mayra Casales is among a diverse group of independent musicians named as finalists of the 7th Annual Independent Music Awards. Mayra is truly one of the most versatile and well-rounded percussionists of her generation. Born in Havana, Cuba and raised in Miami, Florida, Mayra's earlier influences began with the Afro-Cuban musical culture of her surroundings. Before long she was performing with some of the biggest names in Latin and Cuban music such as Celia Cruz, Machito, Joe Cuba, and Miguelito Valdez.

In 1978, Mayra moved to NYC where she continued her musical journey, playing with soulful vocalists Phyllis Hyman, Carmen Lundy, and Jon Lucien, and Jazz greats Dizzy Gillespie and Ray Baretto. Her fiery and heartfelt spirit are undeniably present in her divine playing. While Mayra's roots as a Cuban percussionist are strong and refreshing in Mujer Ardiente, this album is a tribute to all of the world music influences and artists who she has had the joy and honor of playing with.

IMA Finalists will now advance to the final round of judging by a distinguished group of influential artists and industry insiders. The Judges who will determine this year's IMA Winners include Suzanne Vega; Snoop Dogg, Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers; Les Claypool of Primus; Ray Davies of The Kinks; Susan Tedeschi, Frank Iero of My Chemical Romance; blues legend Charlie Musselwhite; Judy Collins; Rolling Stone contributing editor Anthony DeCurtis, MTV Music Supervisor, Carrie Hughes, Kevin Lyman of Vans Warped Tour and many others.

IMA Winners and Finalists winners will appear in the 10th Anniversary edition of The Musician's Atlas 2008, on sale December 18, 2007. Regarded as the industry's most comprehensive contact directory, The Atlas is used by independent musicians and entrepreneurs to market and sell music more successfully.

Developed and coordinated by Music Resource Group, publisher of The Musician's Atlas, the Independent Music Award program delivers a variety of premiums to Winners including:

· Year-long marketing campaigns, partnerships and distribution alliances that will place the Winners in front of millions of music fans and industry decision makers around the world.

· The IMA Winners CD compilation will be distributed to 10, 000 music fans and industry at events such as SXSW, Ozzfest, The Warped Tour throughout the year and promoted to more 650 US & Canadian college & public radio stations. · eMusic will promote IMA Winners to millions of their subscribers throughout 2008. · Borders Books & Music will promote IMA Winners to more than 11 million of their customers. · Exposure to nearly 10 million viewers of ManiaTV.com and Havoc TV.

Music fans will be casting their votes for their favorite IMA Finalists at www.IndependentMusicAwards.com at the IMA Vox Populi Jukebox.

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