Luis Mario is a vocalist, guitarist, composer and arranger. Born in Havana, Cuba in April 6, 1963, Luis Mario’s earliest musical influences came from his father Luis Ochoa Sr. singer, guitarist and founding member of “Trio Voces de Oro”, one of Cuba’s most romantic ensembles.

At the age of 11, Luis Mario began full time music studies at some of Havana’s most renowned conservatories. After 13 years of intense studies, he graduated with an Honors B.A. in classical guitar from the University of Havana’s Institute Superior of Arts (ISA). While most of his extensive learning was in the classical genre, his heart never abandoned his roots in “popular music”.

In 1990 Luis Mario moved to Toronto, Canada, embracing the city as his new home. In 1992, he formed his band Cimarron, (See-mah-rón, meaning “free spirit”), They have released  A La Cubana, La Fiesta, Cimarron, and Momentos Cubanos.  You can catch Luis Mario performing as a front man with his Acoustic Quintet, his 10 piece Cuban fusion group Cimarron, or his Cuba Tradicional Sextet, as well as a guest performer with the Viva Celia Project and the Hilario Duran’s Latin jazz big band. His music can also be heard on 91.1 Jazz FM in Toronto, Couleur Jazz in Montreal and CBC across Canada and NPR in USA.