San Francisco/Bay Area Salsa & Latin Jazz: Interviews: Haila Momp’e

STAR QUALITY :
HAILA MOMPÍE

Yoshi's in Oakland was graced with not only the presence of one of the greatest vocalists from Cuba, Issac Delgado and his orchestra, but with the stunning vocals of Haila Mompíe. This young vocalist had endeared herself to the world when she was part of Bamboleo and later Azucar Negra. Her return as an invited guest and solist with Issac's band proved to be a brilliant combination.

Q: Tell us about where were you born and your entrance into the world of music.
Haila: In Amacio Rodriguez, located in Tunas, and I went to Havana when I was fifteen years old. I danced there. I met Jacqueline Castellano’s daughter and she introduced me to her mother. Jacqueline worked with the maestro Joaquín Betancourt and he gave me the opportunity to work with a six-piece traditional music orchestra. I was seventeen when I started working professionally. In ’94 I went on my first tour of Spain with a band that was created by Ramón Fabián Veloz. Then—after having played with Havana Son, in Chino Dan’s orchestra—in ’94 I was a part of Bamboleo. I was in Bamboleo until 1998. And in 1998, on February 4, 1998 to be precise, I became member of Azúcar Negra, a band that was "supposedly" made for me, which in the end didn’t work out, so I took it upon myself to start my solo career since it felt like [my career] was getting out of control. Azúcar Negra was too small for the things that Haila was doing. I was pitched the idea to sign with a Cuban label, then Isaac came up with the idea to record this CD and we recorded the first solo CD of mine entitled 'Haila'. It was a tribute that we wanted to make, mainly to Celia Cruz.

Q: Do you have any projects in mind for the future?
Haila: Oh, yes. I’ve already started my solo career and thanks to Isaac, who always invites me on his tours, I’ll be back in Havana on the 10^th, and on the 12^th I’ll be on my way to Japan with [Jesus Alemañy and] Cubanismo. And it’s pretty much going to be busy for the rest of the year playing as a solo artist to tell you the truth. I don’t have a band, I sing with everyone.

Q: So you’re pretty much freelance. Your voice sounds like an angel.
Haila: I never learned how to sing, ever. This was a gift from God. I never once studied a single musical note. I mean, I know them, but [this] was God’s gift.

Q: Are you recording a new CD?
Haila: Not yet. We recently released the album in Cuba and that spawned a live album. It’s in the mastering and mixing process in Cuba. I don’t think that the other production will begin until the end of the year. I hope that Isaac will be involved again as a producer on the other album.

Q: How do you like being here with Issac's band in the Bay Area?
Haila: I’ve been traveling close to a year now with Isaac’s orchestra. To me it’s one of the orchestras with the best sound in Cuba. I feel like I’m in heaven when I go on stage with Isaac’s orchestra. As a matter of fact, you probably saw yesterday that even after I was done singing I stayed … because I like it.

Q: Is there a style here or any other style in particular that you like aside from what you sing?
Haila: No, I am sort of a daredevil. I mean the problem is that people have typecast me into that style. As I said, I played a show in Havana where I sang a little bit of everything: rock, pop, lullabies, everything.

Q: Is there a singer in particular that you like? Singers you like to listen to, inspirations?
Haila: Inspiration is something that I believe was born within me. I admire Celia Cruz a lot, no doubt. I admire her a lot. I am an avid fan of [La] Lupe. But for me, an international singer I really like - - I mean, there’s a person with a big angel, and every time I see him, especially in a huge concert, he transmits so much energy and that’s Marc Anthony.

Q: Have you called him to set up a concert together or go on tour with him?
Haila: With who?

Q: With Marc Anthony!
Haila: No, I wish!

Wiith that, Haila was called onstage to sing. May all of Haila's wishes come true as she pursues her solo career. We await her next visit.