There is something quite exquisite in a deeply primordial and seductive manner about Mercedes Figueras and The Black Butterflies’ Rainbows for Ramon. This comes from the luscious echo of the gloriously soaring saxophones of Figueras...
In Conversation with Saxophonist, Composer, Arranger Mercedes Figueras
When Mercedes and I met in person the first thought that crossed my mind was, “How is such a small person capable of producing such a LARGE sound?” During the course of my conversation with Mercedes I received the answer to that and many other questions about her life and music. As a music journalist, it gives me great pleasure to lend my support to exceptional new artists who are “under the radar.” Meet Mercedes Figueras and the Black Butterflies [...]
The Black Butterflies -1 de Mayo (Self Produced – 2010)
A delightful whimsy surrounds the room where 1 de Mayo descends, like a diaphanous sheet of sound amid its celestial wail. So extraordinary is the musical ensemble fronted by the hypnotic sound of Mercedes Figueras’ saxophones; doubly intriguing when entwined with the ululations and caterwauling ablutions of Tony Larokko’s horns. Mercedes Figueras is one of the most exciting saxophonists today. Enormously talented and with a voice [...]


