Hailing from Atlanta, GA, nu jazz songstress Malena Perez draws upon various musical influences - Flora Purim, Omara Portuondo and Sade among them - while celebrating her Cuban-American roots in composing her own original melodies and lyrics in both Spanish and English.  The 2004 release of Malena's debut 12” vinyl single, “Free To Fly” (Divine Recordings/GrooveDis), written and recorded with Atlanta producer Michael Johnson, introduced her bilingual vocals and jazzy Latin grooves to the house scene in 2004 and has led to the anticipated international release of the LP, 'Stars,' in spring 2006 on her own Cubanita Groove Records (GrooveDis).

The self-written, produced and arranged LP 'Stars' will feature a Kenny Dope (MAW) remix as well as collaborations with Alix Alvarez (SOLE channel Music), Carlos Nino (Dwight Trible/AmmonContact) and Michael Johnson (Julie Dexter/KetchaVibe).

Malena's discography includes a limited edition LP, also titled "Free To Fly" (Cubanita Groove) and produced by Michael Johnson, released in May 2004 and introduced to the vibrant Atlanta scene by seven-piece live performances at venues such as the Apache Café, Endenu, MJQ and Vinyl; and collaboration with Atlanta producer JustOne (KemeticJust) on the LP JustLove, released in Japan in summer 2005.

"I grew up around music," says Perez.  "My father, originally from Holguin, Oriente, Cuba, started a Latin music series at Atlanta's public radio station, WRFG, in the late seventies (and the show continues to this day, even with a new roster of DJ's!)  He was all about the music.  That's how I first fell in love with the sounds of Cuban percussion and vocalists like Celia Cruz and Omara Portuondo.  My mother, of German descent, was a pianist and organist and I would attend church choir rehearsals with her as a child, even from about two years of age!  I began singing in the children's choir at Sacred Heart Church in Atlanta, GA and have been singing ever since. 

I sang in church choirs throughout my childhood, and then during my teenage years, I got involved in community theatre and musicals, with lead roles including Nancy in "Oliver", Lucy in "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown," and Yente in "Fiddler on the Roof".  In college, I sang, recorded and toured with the University of Notre Dame Choir, which developed my voice a lot - it became stronger and more resilient, and I began to discover what a range I have and what I can do with my voice. At times in my lower register, my voice comes across as strong, soulful, sexy, and in my upper - angelic, ethereal and sweet. 

I moved back to Atlanta after college and began meeting people on the underground music scene (there is a very vibrant scene in Atlanta - a lot of soulful, budding new artists! - and a great support network).  I began writing my own songs.  I established Cubanita Groove in spring 2004 as a record label based in Atlanta (it is now based in Brooklyn, New York).  I met Michael Johnson, who produced Free To Fly.  We wrote and recorded and performed together until I moved to Los Angeles in August 2005, where I recorded most of the forthcoming album 'STARS.'  Some recording also took place in Atlanta and in New York.  Production collaborations on the record included the likes of Kenny Dope, Osunlade, Alix Alvarez, Carlos Nino and Michael Johnson.  I produced two of the tracks myself as well.  

In March 2006 I moved to Brooklyn, New York, where I am currently putting a band together and preparing for tour to support 'Stars.'  A 12" single entitled "Chase The Butterflies - The Kenny Dope Remixes" will precede the album's release; it is set to be released in April.  The next 12" will be released in late May and is entitled "Praise The Day," which is a track from the album that I did with Osunlade. Overall, 'Stars' flows beautifully, and I'm excited to share it with the world!"