Liz Melendez - The Latina Santana

by Roberta M. Rosas 
Mija Magazine
December, 2004

While walking in to a venue your ears would lead you to believe that you were attending a Santana concert, but we are entering into a new era when it comes to Latinas and guitars.

Liz Melendez, whom I refer to as the “Latina Santana” has been around for years. Born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Liz began playing guitar at the tender age of 5 with her father (Dan Melendez) teaching her rock & roll and blues standards. “He really taught me about music, not just how to play the instruments, but how to be a good "musician". Just like her father, Liz listened to a lot of blues & blues rockers of the 70’s as a child.  As the vocal/guitarist area Bonnie Raitt was a big influence to Liz as well as Carlos Santana, Freddie King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix for solo guitar players.  Liz was also inspired as a song writer by Paul Simon and Van Morrison.  

Just like any Latina trying to break barriers, people find a genuine curiosity in anything you do out of the ordinary, “I have never been disrespected as a Latina in the music world because I don't think people know what to make of it. Mostly, I get a great deal of support. The world of being a Latina growing up in the south valley in Albuquerque, New Mexico is light years away from being a guitarist/vocalist in Atlanta, Georgia. I've often compared the assimilation of being a Latina/o in the mainstream world to dancing to two drummers. Because the world we live in at our homes with our families is so different than our professional world, it is like living two lives but each side of that life can have positive influence on the other. I do think being a Latina gives me the confidence and fortitude to do what I do and it gives me a unique perspective and a vast amount of cultural inspiration for music as well as just living life.”  

Her first time performance was with her friend Loyd Ortega, in front of an audience at her  high school talent show.  Where they won 1st place for Best Musical Act and he let her  keep the trophy (how sweet).  

Liz has a sincere and real love for musical expression. “A fellow musician once told me that there is a difference between a "musician" and someone who plays an instrument. Someone who plays an instrument can decide not to play music....a "musician" doesn't  have a choice. You will always feel the inspiration to make music because your love for musical expression is part of who you are and making music is like breathing. Whenever the business side of music becomes frustrating I just focus on the music. That is what it's all about to me.” stated Liz.

Picking up a guitar makes Liz feel feels the same as the first time she picked up her dad’s  Fender Mustang as a kid. “I was listening to "I Wonder Why" by Freddie King and the intro  to that song had completely captivated me. I wanted my dad to teach me how to play it   but it was a little beyond my 5 year-old proficiency so he started off by teaching me "Wipe Out". I immediately connected with the instrument and few weeks later he started teaching  me other songs like "Johnny B. Goode".  I loved the feeling of hitting the strings and hearing a song come out. Now playing guitar feels a little more like talking or singing and I can easily become lost in the sound of it. When you're in that zone, whether you're playing on a stage or in your living room, the instrument becomes part of you and you can play like that for hours. It can be very spiritual and very intoxicating.” said Liz. 

If the guitar was never invented she would’ve ended up an attorney, so thank God for the guitar!  

For you beginning artists Liz’s advice to you is, “Follow your instincts and don’t trust the wrong people.”

Liz’s words of inspiration for all Mijas out there that may want to follow in her footsteps: ”The best thing to do is to learn as much as possible about your career endeavor whatever it may be. Taking the time to learn as much as possible will help you be better prepared to handle the ups and downs of your career experience. Make a commitment to your mission before you set out on your path. When you hit a bump in the road just remember your goal and stay focused on it.”