Earlier this year during the Jazz Congress when Terri Lyne Carrington performed the music from her superb “re-imagining” of the Max Roach/Abbey Lincoln 1960 classic “We Insist: The Freedom Now Suite” – which has subsequently been released by the revived Candid Records (same label as the original 1960 release), co-led by the fine young vocalist Christie Dashiell. Clearly this new iteration, “We Insist! 2025”, is a recording that will most assuredly receive Album of the Year consideration, one of the players who made that club performance absolutely ‘pop’ was the young trumpet and flugelhorn player Milena Casado. Her own debut recording, “Reflection of Another Self” is also brand new on Candid, and produced by Ms. Carrington. Clearly some Independent Ear questions were in order for this deeply promising young horn player…
Talk about your origin story in Spain and how you came to make music?
“I was born and raised in Spain, in a small village called Orillena. Growing up, we moved
around different villages because of my mother’s teaching job. At one point, we moved
to a village called Castejón de Sos, which had a music school. I originally wanted to
play drums, but the class was full, so I tried the trumpet since some of my friends were
playing it. Through the trumpet, I found a way to express feelings and emotions I hadn’t
been able to until then. I needed it.”
What initially brought you to the U.S.?
“After some mentors in Spain encouraged me to go study music in the U.S., I decided to
apply to Berklee College of Music in Boston, and I was fortunate to receive a full
scholarship to pursue my bachelor’s degree.”
If I’m not mistaken, you were part of the original cohort of students in Terri
Lyne Carrington’s Jazz & Gender Justice program. Why did you select that
program, and please talk about the early days of that program and how
you’ve witnessed it evolve.
“That’s right! Being part of JGJ and seeing how it has grown and evolved has been
amazing. This program is so important and necessary. It creates a space that welcomes
everyone – a safe space for experimentation and dialogue, an inclusive and accepting
environment, changing the narrative.”
What’s it been like as a young musician coming under the mentorship of
someone as deeply accomplished as Terri Lyne?
“I admire Terri so much, and I feel incredibly fortunate to know her and learn from her.
She is a reference for me, and her guidance and support have helped me push
boundaries both musically and personally. She is so inspiring, and I am deeply grateful
to know her.”
Talk about your new record, “Reflection of Another Self” and how you came
up with the music you recorded.
“Reflection of Another Self” is a journey through identity, transformation, and healing. It’s
about seeing parts of yourself that maybe you hadn’t fully faced before. Sometimes, we
realize we are a version of ourselves that doesn’t represent us – shaped by fear,
expectations, and insecurities. That version becomes “another self,” and what we see in
the mirror isn’t the full picture. This album is about recognizing that, reflecting on it, and
finding a way back to oneself.
Creating this album was also the beginning of my exploration with electronics and
synths – I learned Ableton and Pro Tools, experimented with recording and mixing, and
embraced new textures and sounds. Each track flows into the next, like a suite, telling a
story about acceptance, understanding, overcoming… I was fortunate to create this
album with some of my favorite musicians, mentors, and friends who inspire me deeply.”
I have to ask you, what is the story behind your tune “This Is My Hair”?
“THIS IS MY HAIR (!)” reflects on identity and self-expression. Growing up in a small
village in Spain, I rarely saw people that looked like me, with afro hair, and I felt it.
People would stare, make comments, and even laugh. I just wanted to go unnoticed, to
hide.
But that has changed – THIS IS ME! I want to embrace every part of myself. My
experience with “hair” is just one example of something that caused me trauma, and we
all experience traumas in different ways. Learning to accept and love myself also means
showing compassion to those who once made me feel insecure – understanding,
learning, and moving forward. It’s personal yet universal.”
Talk about your experience recording “We Insist” with Terri Lyne.
“Being part of such an important and necessary project was an honor. Terri’s vision and
dedication are so inspiring. I’m grateful to be part of it, to honor Max Roach and Abbey
Lincoln, and to share this message. We need this project now, with all the injustices
happening in the world.”
What are you thinking about for your next album release?
“I’m excited to continue exploring and searching. The first thing I did the day of the album
release was to sit at my synth and start writing new music. I am excited about the first
explorations and ideas I’ve been developing. I want to create music that inspires people experimenting with sound, collaboration, and storytelling in new ways.”