Biography
Zulema Hechavarría Blanco (composer, flutist, percussionist, vocalist, and, above all, bandleader) was born on December 19, 1973, in Santiago de Cuba. She graduated in 1999 from the Instituto Superior de Artes in Havana, Cuba, and in 2000 continued her studies at the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp, where she obtained her Master's degree in Music as a flutist in 2006.
Despite her classical training, Zulema has chosen in recent years to deepen her expertise in jazz flute under the guidance of Ben Sluijs, as well as in film music, composition, and musical arrangements with Mathias Coppens and Stef Minnebo. In addition to her artistic career, Zulema teaches flute and solfège at a music academy in Antwerp, Belgium, and continues to be committed to her studies with these mentors. In 2010, Zulema founded her first project, ZuleMax, an ensemble of 12 women from various jazz conservatories across Europe.ZuleMax quickly gained recognition and has performed on international stages, bringing its unique and fresh sound to new audiences. In 2017, Zulema took a bold step by founding the first all-female mambo big band in the world, ZuleMax Big Band, a group that fuses the vibrant spirit of mambo and swing from the 1950s with new interpretations and compositions. With this project, Zulema has successfully brought women to the forefront of Latin and jazz music, creating an innovative and energetic proposal. Throughout her career, Zulema has collaborated with international artists such as Helmut Lotti, Raymond van het Groenewoud, and the Belgian collective Think of One, which has enriched her musical vision and her ability to merge different styles and genres. As a teacher, Zulema has also been involved in the OpMaatorkest project with the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, helping to train children from local elementary schools as flutists and performing joint concerts with the Symphony Orchestra. |