Los Angeles–based singer, songwriter, and producer Merce makes music that slips between worlds—alternative soul, pop, and electronic textures woven into songs that feel cinematic, intimate, and quietly fearless. Her voice moves with an ethereal warmth, stacked in rich harmonies that pull you in and linger long after the last note, guided by curiosity and a deep commitment to authenticity.
Her musical foundation was set early. Raised in a home filled with rhythm and performance—her father a Cuban salsa musician, singer, and composer—Merce trained classically on piano while absorbing the genre-bending sounds of the ’80s and ’90s that still echo through her work today. At sixteen, she began her professional path in the vocal group Shy!?, mentored by acclaimed musician, producer, and educator Reggie Andrews.
In the early ’90s, performing under her given name Mercedes Martinez, she became a founding member of The Jazzyfatnastees, a group positioned at the intersection of ’90s R&B and hip-hop and on the edge of what would become neo-soul. Their journey took them from an unreleased album recorded under Fathouse/Tommy Boy to Philadelphia after an invitation to collaborate with The Roots—eventually evolving into a duo with Tracey Moore. As Jazzyfatnastees, they became sought-after background vocalists and collaborators, working with artists including Stevie Wonder, De La Soul, Meshell Ndegeocello, Eric Benét, and The Brand New Heavies. They released three acclaimed albums, performed internationally at stages like Montreux and North Sea Jazz, and earned a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award nomination.
Beyond the stage, Merce helped co-found Black Lily, a women-centered live music series built around community, artist development, and a powerful open-mic spirit. What began in 1999 at New York’s Wetlands grew into a cultural platform that expanded across U.S. cities and internationally—eventually evolving into Black Lily Film & Music Festivals featuring artists such as Amy Winehouse, Jill Scott, Jean Grae, and more.
Now, Merce steps fully into her own spotlight with her debut solo project ALIVE—a body of work shaped by grief, resilience, and renewal. Written after the loss of her partner in life and music, Richard Nichols, the album became a lifeline during a period of profound transition, as she navigated life as a solo parent caring for their son with autism and developmental disabilities. Created with longtime collaborators Rick Friedrich (The Roots) and Kush Oxford (Estelle), ALIVE moves fluidly between acoustic and electronic elements, grounded in plainspoken lyricism and her signature harmonic depth.
The lead single “My Guy” is a slow-burning, atmospheric embrace—less a breakup song than a self-reassurance. As Merce shares, it’s about reminding herself there’s no need to cry: what’s meant for her won’t pass her by. With ALIVE, she enters a new era defined by creative control, multimedia expression, and the sound of an artist choosing clarity—and choosing herself.
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