La Mesha is a collaboration between Jose-Miguel Yamal (piano), John Calderon (guitar and vocals), David Caceres (saxophone and vocals), Mark Simmons (drums), and Anthony McKinney (bass) and is inspired by jazz music and its groove-based derivatives. La Mesha is testing ground for new musical ideas and concepts, heavily drawing from Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, and nu-jazz inspirations. Jose-Miguel Yamal is a Chilean-American jazz pianist based in Houston, Texas, with experience performing at major festivals around the world. In his free time, he works as a Professor of Biostatistics at UTHealth Houston. John Calderon has worked nationally and abroad with several artists including the late multi-Grammy award winning vocalist Al Jarreau. John is also an active educator in Texas higher education institutions.