Camila Meza is a Chilean guitarist and vocalist. She has recorded and performed with musicians including Fabian Almazan, Kendrick Scott and Shai Maestro. A graduate of The New School of Music in New York City, Camila combines elements of jazz, pop and traditional Chilean music to create a distinctive sound that can be both sensitive and energetic. She recently performed with the HR Radio Big Band and will be on tour with the Grammy Award-winning Pakistani-American singer and composer Arooj Aftab this Summer. Camila lives in New York and Guatemala with her partner and their two year-old son.
UKJazz News: What is the best advice you received about balancing/juggling motherhood and career?
Camila Meza: To follow my own intuition of what’s best for me and my baby and that it’s possible to be present as a mother and be active as a musician.
UKJN: What information or advice do you wish you’d received but didn’t (and had to learn through trial and error or on the go)?
CM: The first months postpartum are so immersive that I started feeling a disconnect with my music making and practice. At one point I felt I was going to completely lose my ability to play and perform. It all comes back in time and with a deeper meaning so my advice is to enjoy and delve into those precious moments with your baby that won’t come back.
UKJN: Your top tip(s) for other mothers in jazz:
CM: Try to make your child be a part of what you do as much as possible, prepare a loving network because we can’t and are not supposed to do this alone.
UKJN: Baby/child gear tips for travel/touring/gigging:
CM: Tula Baby Carrier has been a savior. I also traveled with a Nutribullet Baby Turbo Food Steamer for a while because I’m picky on what I feed him and you can’t cook on many tour stops.
UKJN: Best general travel/gigging/tour-with-child advice:
CM: If possible, think ahead as to how/where/when your baby will be able to rest and plan accordingly. If that means requesting an early check in on a hotel so that you make it to nap time, then go ahead. Most of the bad moments have to do with an overtired baby. And on that note, always ask for what you need from booking agents and organizers, people are more willing to fulfill your mother-child needs than you think.
UKJN: What has surprised you about becoming a parent and remaining engaged with your professional activities and ambitions?
CM: The amount of work and focus it takes. Two free hours in the day now are like ten for me. I get so much done in a shorter amount of time than before becoming a mother. And I really enjoy the challenge!
UKJN: What boundaries have you set for yourself as a mother in jazz (could be related to travel/touring, riders, personal parameters, child care decisions, etc.)?
CM: I’m not doing gigs that won’t reward me economically. I’ve been touring with my family for the past two years and the effort it takes is enormous. It’s the most amazing experience I’ve had, but I need to be selective to make sense of taking everyone on the road.
(*) Mothers in Jazz was started by vocalist Nicky Schrire. The initiative aims to create an online resource for working jazz musicians with children, those contemplating parenthood, and jazz industry figures who work with and hire musicians who are parents. The insight of the musicians interviewed for this series provides valuable emotional, philosophical and logistical information and support that is easily accessible to all. “Mothers In Jazz” shines a light on the very specific role of being both a mother and a performing jazz musician.
