Yissy García Calzadilla, a distinguished Cuban instrumentalist, was born on May 29, 1987, in Havana. From a very young age, her father, Bernardo García, a drummer with the ICRT Orchestra, inspired her musical career. She received her first percussion lessons from him.

At just nine years old, she began her elementary music studies at the Manuel Saumell Conservatory (660 F Street, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución, Havana); she then enrolled at the Amadeo Roldán Conservatory (Rastro No. 1 and Espada Street, Centro Habana, Havana), where she joined the Youth Symphony Orchestra and excelled in the school’s Charanga band. In 2004, while a student at this conservatory, she was selected to travel to Guadalupe Island as part of a cultural exchange between music schools from both countries.

In 2005, Yissy García was invited to play with the Cuban National Symphony Orchestra as a soloist on the paila, under the direction of the renowned conductor Zenaida Romeu. That same year, she entered the Fiesta del Tambor Competition, where she received a Special Award.

The following year, along with other distinguished conservatory students, he joined the “Quinteto Chico de la Habana,” with which he participated in the Barbados Jazz Festival. There he had the opportunity to share the stage with prestigious jazz musicians such as Roy Hargrove (trumpet player), Horacio Hernández (El Negro), Arturo Tappin (saxophonist), and Giovanni Hidalgo. His performance was covered by various international television stations, as well as the English newspaper Daily News.

In mid-2006, he graduated in percussion with outstanding grades and in November he performed at the International Festival of Young Jazz Artists “JOJAZZ” where he played drums with the Big Band of Canada and received a Special Mention for Performance.

After graduating, the young and talented percussionist Yissy García joined the Anacaona female orchestra, playing drums, timbale, and bongo drums. She has performed with them on numerous stages throughout Cuba, as well as on national television and radio. With this popular group, she recorded the album, “No lo puedo evitar,” under the Bis Music label. In 2008, with a small group of members of the orchestra, she recorded the song “Parampampán” for Spanish filmmaker Fernando Trueba’s musical film “Chico y Rita.” Additionally, at EGREM’s Areito studios, she participated in another recording of traditional music, accompanying an American singer.

With Anacaona, he has undertaken several international tours, a significant one taking place in 2009. They performed in several Canadian cities at the Lula Lounge in Toronto and at the Art Jazz Festival in that same city. They also participated in other important events such as the 27th edition of the “La Nuit de África” ​​Festival in Montreal, the Rhythms of the World Festival in Chicoutimi, and the World Music Festival in Quebec City. During the tour, they also participated in the 30th Montreal International Jazz Festival, where they performed with the popular salsa group “La India.” During this renowned festival, he participated with Canadian and other international musicians in various Jan Sessions in London at “Sunfest.” At each performance, he received applause and gratitude from the demanding audience for his magnificent performances.

In early 2010, Yissy García joined the national tour of singer Cucu Diamantes, which led to the filming of a movie in which she also participated. In June of that year, she toured Curacao with Anacaona, where they were responsible for closing the 1st Aruba International Film Festival. On its first day, they shared the stage with saxophonist David Sanbornen in a widely applauded descarga. They also performed successfully in the show “Viva Cuba,” organized by the Sinte Rose Foundation of that country to raise funds for the fight against breast cancer.

Despite her young career, Yissy’s talent has provided her with wonderful opportunities to perform with other important Cuban musicians, such as jazz musician Alexis Bosh and trumpeter Yassek Manzano and his group. Along with trumpeter Roberto García and saxophonist Emir Santa Cruz, she has recorded for the Cuban Television program A todo Jazz. She has also accompanied the excellent diva Omara Portuondo.

Yissy García also performed in a special program about her musical life on French television channel 33 and was featured on the website of the Spanish magazine “The H.” She competed again in the JOJAZZ Competition and placed second in the performance category. She also performed in various jazz clubs in Havana with the group “Joven Jazz,” led by saxophonist Michell Herrera.