This is an interview with vocalist/composer Jocelyn Medina. Her original music fuses elements of Brazil, Spain, Africa, and India with jazz harmonies, grooves, neo-soul/funk, and adventurous improvisations.

Born in upstate NY into a family of singers, Jocelyn determined her identity as a musician at the age of five through choirs and piano lessons. She later pursued opera work at Stanford University, earned a Bachelor’s degree from Berklee College of Music, and a Masters in Vocal Jazz Performance from Manhattan School of Music.

In addition to her original repertoire, she sings, plays percussion, and arranges for her Brazilian Jazz project, as well as sings and drums with the Mokomba West African dance and drumming ensemble.