ABOUT THE COMPANY…
“Sekou McMiller & Friends”
The collective known as "Sekou McMiller & Friends" is led by the esteemed choreographer, Sekou McMiller, and comprises a talented ensemble of seasoned professional dancers, musicians, composers, and club/street performers. The primary objective is to persistently create authentic artistic endeavors that not only enable individuals to experience the captivating fusion of music and dance, showcasing their infectious rhythmic nature, but also actively engage in and witness a profound cultural reunion of once interconnected communities. By doing so, this initiative contributes to the ongoing dialogue on reshaping and fortifying the concept of self-identification for individuals with black and brown bodies in an era of increasingly blurred borders and global citizenship. Past performances include Jazz at Lincoln Center, Bryant Park, the National Jazz Museum in Harlem and Little Island NYC. Most recent performances include Jacob’s Pillow Henry J. Lier, Pocantico: David Rockefeller Center and Guggenheim: Works & Process.
Music Director and Arranger: Sebastian Natal
Sebastian Natal is an accomplished multi-genre multi-instrumentalist and seasoned performer hailing from Uruguay, with a specialization in salsa music. Proficient in piano, bass, percussion, trumpet, trombone, and vocals, Sebastian's musical journey spans across various genres; though most notably salsa. Throughout his career, Sebastian has had the privilege of collaborating with renowned salsa artists such as José Alberto "El Canario" and Ismael Miranda.
He has shared the stage as a guest artist with Oscar D'León and had the honor of sharing moments with Rubén Blades. Sebastian's talent has taken him on tours worldwide, performing alongside a diverse range of musicians, from English rockstar Eric Clapton to pop sensation Camila Cabello. He has also collaborated with jazz trombonist Conrad Herwig and Uruguayan music group Sonora Borinquen, among others. Sebastian's production skills have earned him substantial commercial success, including producing albums with the five-time Grammy Award-winning artist Willy Torres. Currently, Sebastian is the bassist for the Pedrito Martinez Group, a highly acclaimed ensemble Grammy-nominated for the Best Latin Jazz Album in 2014 and Best Contemporary Album in 2021.
ARTISTS’ BIOS:
Andres Magno is a one-stop shop drummer and percussionist. Over 15 yrs of performing professionally in the Canadian Latin Music scene with some of Canada's and Latin America's most sought after Latin artists and bands with a wealth of experience playing in the Latin club, festival, corporate and wedding industries. Notable artists played with includes Adonis Puente, Jimmy Bosch, Charlie Aponte, Yan Collazo, Ismael Miranda, Gerardo Nieto and Los Adolecentes
Camila Cortina Bello is a Cuban-born pianist, composer, and educator whose music blends Afro-Cuban traditions with jazz, classical, and world influences. Originally from Havana, she studied classical piano and musicology before continuing her education at Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship. A 2023 New Music USA Next Jazz Legacy Fellow, she has performed at major festivals including DC Jazz, Ecuador Jazz, and Punta del Este. She has collaborated with Paquito D’Rivera, Miguel Zenón, Terri Lyne Carrington, and Dianne Reeves, and appeared on NPR’s Tiny Desk with OKAN.
Camilo Molina is a jazz trumpeter that has been involved in the jazz scene in Miami and in New York, performing in many popular jazz venues, such as Lagniappe, ShapeShifter, The Fish House, Miami Beach Bandshell and many more. He has also performed in several music festivals in Miami such as the Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival, Young Musicians Festival and the Frost School of Music Festival. Currently, Camilo is an active performer in New York City. Camilo has been awarded second place at the 2022 International Trumpet Guild Competition in the jazz division. He has received mentorship from many present greats such as Marquis Hill, Philip Dizack, Michael Rodriguez, Etienne Charles, and Dafnis Prieto to name a few. He has also studied and performed with Brian Lynch and Marcus Strickland and performed in a big band led by Christian McBride. Camilo Molina released his debut album, The Journey, in 2023 which is now available on all music platforms.
Charlie Garcia, aka “Mr. Candela,” is a choreographer, dancer, and instructor known for his passion for mambo and Latin dance. A global performer and mambo ambassador, he’s sharedrese the stage with artists like Franklin Diaz, Scarlett Medrano, Latin Soul Dancers, Delia Madera, and Tania Cannarsa. As a principal choreographer for Shine the movie and leader of Somos Candela Company, Charlie blends tradition with innovation—training dancers worldwide through in-person and online programs. He currently dances with “Sekou McMiller & Friends” and continues to build community through culture and movement.
Devin Flores is a distinguished salsa dancer and instructor based in New York City. Born into a legacy of mambo pioneers, he is the son of Nelson Flores, founder of Descarga Latina Dance Company, and Addie Diaz, founder of Addie-tude Dance Company. Immersed in salsa from an early age, Devin has performed, competed, and taught alongside his parents and his partner, Vira Lee. While honoring his family’s legacy, he has also made his own mark on the salsa scene, performing and teaching worldwide in countries such as Thailand, the UK, the Netherlands, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, El Salvador, and Mexico.
Beyond dance, Devin has appeared in films including Shine (2017) and In the Heights (2021), showcasing his talents on the big screen. His dynamic style and dedication have earned him recognition as a respected figure in the salsa community.
Devin is currently performing with Sekou McMiller’s Sekou & Friends, with appearances at venues such as Lefrak Concert Hall, the David Rockefeller Creative Arts Center, and the Guggenheim Museum.
Elijah Maduro is a tenor saxophonist/multi-woodwind instrumentalist based in New York City. During his time at the Macaulay Honors College through the City College of New York Jazz Program (BM, 2020), he has been able to learn from some of the greats, such as the late Dr. Lonnie Smith, the late Al Foster, Steve Wilson, John Ellis, Ben Kono, Willie Martinez, Eli Yamin and countless others. The introspective and emotional nature of his music can be heard in his melodic & expressive jazz improvisation and in his compositions, which are crafted from the stories and lessons from his personal life and the words from his mentors.
Killeg Torres was born and raised in New Jersey and has been a performing artist since the age of 11 where he started out in Latin rhythms and continues till this day. Along the way he auditioned for a performing Art's school in Newark where Killeg trained in Modern, Jazz, Ballet and graduated with a major in Dance in 2024. In the same year he had the privilege to be part of Jacobs Pillow Musical Theater program. After joining Ballet Hispánico’s Palante program, he has been gifted the opportunity to perform in Lincoln Center, New York City Center as well as other international stages, currently he studies at the Ailey School’s professional division.
Madelyne Clark grew up in Monroe, Louisiana, training at Linda Lavender School of Dance. She attended intensives with Joffrey South, Next Generation Ballet, and Regional Dance America’s National Choreography Intensive, later joining The Ailey School’s Scholarship Program. She has performed works by Omar Roman de Jesus, Earl Mosley, Martha Nichols, Ronald K. Brown, Jessica Lang, and Kanji Segawa, including Washington National Opera’s Turandot and a Guggenheim performance with Sekou McMiller. Madelyne has danced with REDi Dance Company, Sekou & Friends, Somos Candela, and Reflexiones de Rios. Her choreography has been recognized with Regional Dance America’s Monticello Award (2017). She holds a BS in Kinesiology from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and is thrilled to be a part of Sekou McMiller & Friends.
Raul Reyes - Cuban-born bassist and composer Raul Reyes Bueno moved to the United States in 2010. Reyes has been described as a bassist with “advanced sense of rhythm, beautiful sound, time, and solos.” Reyes’s versatility in traditional jazz and contemporary jazz trends, along with his cheerful charisma has earned him opportunities to work with jazz artists such as Geoffrey Keezer, Arturo O’Farril, Victor Lewis, Tia Fuller, Joe Magnarelli, Rodney Green, Nick Finzer, among many others.
Raul holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Bass Performance from the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) and a Master’s Degree in Jazz Performance from the University of North Texas (UNT). And studied at The Juilliard School in New York City. Raul can often be seen performing at premiere jazz clubs such as throughout New York City and has toured and collaborated with renowned Latin artists such as Maelo Ruiz, The Mambo Legends Orchestra, Tito Puente Jr., Willie Gonzales, and Mexican singer Carlos Rivera.
Raul is the current bassist for the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra.
Teresa Garcia - Born in Lima, Peru. Relocated to NYC as a young teenager were she pursued her dream in the performing arts. Her training includes a wide range of styles, became a Ny salsa champion at the age of 19, trained in all Ballroom styles under the wing of Maksim Chmerkovskiy (DVIDA certified), satisfactorily completed the professional dance program at Broadway Dance Center, where she later on has taught several Latin fusion classes. She has since come to be a well known dancer, choreographer and actor. Teresa has payed lead roles in the immersive theater production Carmen, to Havana and back (NYC), been the female swing of Sergio Trujillo’s Arrabal, and can be seen as a featured dancer on the films such as Father of The Bride Bride and In The Heights. She has also participated as principal dancer and choreographer on Univision’s Mira Quien Baila (2017-2023) and as a back up dancer for several world renowned Latin artists in award shows, music videos and international tours. Such artists include Gloria Estefan,Shakira, Marc Anthony, Maluma, Karol G, Daddy Yankee, Guaynaa, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Olga Tañon, Elvis Crespo, Farruko, to name a few.
Time Brickey - Time is a performing artist from Chicago IL whose work is driven by his love of improvisation and historical lineage. He has hit stages all over the US as a Tap Dancer, Actor, Singer, Musician, and Puppeteer. He's spent years in concert dance, dancing with Chicago Human Rhythm Project, Nico Rubio's 333, and performing as a principal dancer for MADD Rhythms, where he received his professional tap training. He has been featured at 5th Avenue Seattle, Latte Da in Minneapolis, DuSable Museum of African American History, Columbia College Chicago, Chicago Childrens Theatre, Lookingglass, Rough House, Cabinet of Curiosity, and The Chicago International Puppet Theatre Festival. Time has danced in a musical capacity with artists such as Sonny Thompson, Ben Lamar Gay, Edith Yokely, and Sharon Udoh. Time makes and sells electric tap boards across the US, through his small business, Time on the Wood. Check him out at timebrickey.com
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