Casa Mantequilla was  formed in Harlem by  lifelong  friends who believed that "mantequilla mescla todo" (butter blends everything). A truly cross-cultural New York City music collective, Casa Mantequilla sings in several  languages  and  draws  its musical  inspiration  from  many African  and Latin countries.

David Byrne (Talking  Heads) has praised our vibrant blend of global grooves and  diasporan funk as a "Reason to be Cheerful" in troubled times.

A groovy gumbo of sound!

Dr. Hawthorne "Hawk" Smith / A saxophonist, vocalist and percussionist who has played professionally in the US, Europe, and across the African continent from Gambia to Zambia, and many spots in between. Hawk is an internationally respected Psychologist and the Program Director of the Bellevue Program for Survivors of Torture.  www.survivorsoftorture.org

Mark Righter / A drummer, percussionist and vocalist from New Haven, CT.  Whether behind a drum set, congas or timbales, Mark is the driving force behind several music projects in NYC. Mark is also a master-craftsman and the principal at CAMBIUM STUDIO, creating one of a kind furnishing and functional art pieces. www.cambiumstudio.com. He also teaches part-time at Parsons School of Design.

Oscar Debe / A drummer and percussionist originally from Lagos, Nigeria. He is the "go-to guy" when internationally known bands from Africa and the Caribbean come to NYC and need top-shelf accompaniment.  Oscar is an aficionado of African art and artifacts, and runs a truly unique, community-based store in Harlem that is dedicated to roots and culture. www.africanparadise.com

Thierry Royo / An accomplished bassist and guitarist who grew up in a musical family in Belgium, Thierry has been involved with many musical projects, including the collective Pablo’s Eye https://pabloseye.weebly.com and several West African bands. He just released his 5th solo album as Royo.  Visit Thierry's Bandcamp page . 

Saidou Sangare / A virtuoso guitarist from Burkina Faso, Saidou has recorded and toured extensively with many artists including Oumou Sangare and Manu Dibango in Africa and Europe. He has performed in NYC with Dance Theater of Harlem, Natu Camara and others.

Claudia Tshibangu : A Congolese-Belgian singer-songwriter. Growing up in Antwerp she found an endless stream of inspiration listening to artists such as Franko, Papa Wemba, Tchala Muana, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Bob Marley and many more. In the past years Claudia has been honing her skills by studying jazz and performing with musicians and bands in New York City

John Carlson is a jazz trumpet soloist, composer and teacher/clinician. He has achieved international recognition through tours and recordings with Slavic Soul Party,  Either Orchestra, the Charlie Kohlhase Quintet, the Machito Orchestra, the Palladium Orchestra , the Ken Shaphorst Ensemble, and many  others. He has  performed and/or recorded with a wide assortment of jazz artists including Bob Brookmeyer, Julius Hemphill, Sam Rivers, Chocolate Armeteros, John Tchicai, Dave Liebman,  Mike Stern, Cab Calloway,  and John Medeski . 

Brendan “Big B” Malone, a.k.a. the "Spicy One," and "El Gringo Suffrido" / A bonafide blues man hailing from New Haven, CT. Brendan is a guitarist, vocalist, boat builder and award winning teacher. He helps to run innovative educational programs for kids in New York City, including the Harbor School on Governor’s Island.

Mohamed Cherif Kouyate (RIP) / A son of the griot tradition from West Africa; Kouyate was an internationally known guitarist, band leader and human rights advocate from Guinea. He was the front man for the Mandingo Kings and was a driving force behind the legendary “Africa Nights” at St. Nick’s Pub in Harlem. 

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