LA CONGUERA

ABOUT ME: Odalys was born in Spanish Harlem in 1960. Her Puerto Rican born parents were the first influence to music starting her with a gift of a discount store indian drum when she was five. They continued to share the love of all latin music with Odalys by teaching her the sounds and rhythm of the conga. She would practice on a baby Latin Percussion wood conga. Her talent was recognized early by given the chance to play the Little Drummer Boy in Christmas pageants. Odalys was also given the opportunity to study music and art at the Guggenheim Museum and the Museum of Natural History with the Inner City Kids program. In the summer of 1973, Odalys and her family moved to Orange County, New York. She excelled in high school sport programs and continued her musical track joining the school marching band and jazz ensemble. In her teens she played drums for the Blues guitarist Bill Perry. Odalys also has won first place in a talent contest. Odalys attended college in Slippery Rock,Pennsylvania where she again continued to enhance her musical track playing with local bands in Pa. Odalys's band "Rajah", was the warm-up band for "Spyro Gyra" in a college concert. After college she entered the workforce but always had time to practice the skills she loved. Circa 2002 Odalys was an invited guest of the Latin Salsa band "Los Hermanos Moreno" and since then at times played for some local bands recently the Santana tribute band "Taboo". She now plays with a good friend Cookie Melendez who is a NYS kick-boxing Champion and is the Bongo player for their duo the "Playa Players".