Manolo Mairena y la Pura Vida

Manolo Mairena, a native of Costa Rica, came to the United States at the age of sixteen and settled in Worcester, Massachusetts. He began his musical career at 21 as a percussionist, performing traditional Puerto Rican music with renowned musician Miguel Almestica. Word of his talent spread quickly, and soon, Latin bands across Boston were eager to recruit him. Over the years, Mairena has performed with numerous acclaimed groups, including Tropical Sound, Mango Blue, Gonzalo Grau y La Clave Secreta, Manguito, Balatón, I-Level, Combo Sabroso, Eguie Castrillo, and his own band.

Immersed in Boston’s rich cultural diversity and deeply inspired by his own musical roots, Mairena has become a dedicated student and passionate performer of Afro-Caribbean and Latin American music.

Over time, Mairena also developed as a vocalist and has been involved in a wide range of musical projects. He had the honor of recording a medley of boleros as a tribute to the late Tito Rodríguez, appearing as a guest artist with renowned percussionist Eguie Castrillo & His Orquestra. Among his many collaborations, he contributed to Frutero Moderno by La Clave Secreta, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Tropical Album. He also recorded as a soloist on La Pasión Según San Marcos, a celebrated work which he has performed around the world.

Mairena has had the privilege of performing at remarkable events alongside many talented friends in some of the world’s most iconic venues and festivals. His journey has taken him to the Sydney Opera House in Australia, the Benny Moré Festival in Cienfuegos, Cuba, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, and the Blue Frog Acoustic Lounge and Studios in Mumbai, India. He has also appeared at the Heineken Jazz Festival in Puerto Rico, the Centro de Convenciones in Cartagena, Colombia, Teatro Colón in Argentina, the Festival of World Cultures in Ireland, and the Toros y Salsa Festival in France. In the UK, he has performed at both the Barbican Theatre and the Glastonbury Festival. His international performances extend to Spain, the Canary Islands, the Netherlands, Ecuador, Chile, and Mexico, which is a testament to his global reach and the universal appeal of his music.

Mairena has released three productions: Mi Oportunidad (2008), De Todo Un Poco (2018), and Esto es lo que hay (2023). Currently, Mairena is working on his fourth album, Sin Miedo, on which he is featured as a composer, arranger, singer, and percussionist.

Manolo Mairena will be performing as part of Berklee’s Summer in the City 2025 concert series. View all concerts.