Latin spice meets funky southern rock with a side of mojo.
MAMA FUMA (formerly known as Guerra Grooves) is the collaborative groove child between bassist Ariel DLP and vocalist Nikki Guerra. An homage to their musical influences, MAMA FUMA delivers high energy original grooves and feel-good mashups with twice the funk and all the soul.
ariel de la
portilla
Greatly influenced by early Rock n Roll, Funk, Blues, Jazz and Cuban Son, Ariel de la Portilla [DLP] is an eclectic multicultural bassist, songwriter, and composer who is equally inventive on both electric and acoustic bass.
A native of Matanzas, Cuba, Ariel emigrated to Miami, Florida with his parents in the early 80’s and began his musical journey with acclaimed bassist Nicky Orta (Florida International Univ) and prominent jazz educator J.B. Dyas (Monk Institute). He graduated from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and later received a BM from the University of Miami School of Music, studying under Don Kaufman, Lucas Drew and Matt Bonelli. Afterwards, he received an artist grant to study privately with bassist Ron McClure in New York City.
Ariel immediately burst into the music scene and has been working ever since, performing in Miami, New York, the Southwest Virginia region and abroad. In 2016, Ariel and his wife, singer Nikki Guerra, returned to their roots, resettling in Miami and creating their collaborative groovechild, Guerra Grooves, now known as Mama Fuma. Since then they have been playing venues throughout South Florida and beyond, including private events & corporate parties. During the COVID-19 shutdown, they self-produced their debut EP, MAMA FUMA, which was released in 2022.
For over a decade, Ariel has collaborated with Grammy-nominated cellist Dave Eggar and Grammy-nominated drummer/producer Chuck Palmer, playing festivals such as the Philippine International Jazz Festival, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Floyd Fest, Rhythm & Blooms and Gathering in the Gap. In 2018 he joined legendary rock band FOREIGNER on their U.S. 40th Anniversary Tour, with Dave & Chuck arranging and directing the orchestra, and Ariel on upright bass.
Throughout his career, Ariel has remained committed to giving back through music education, facilitating workshops and collaborative performances in schools and communities both at home and while on tour, including a masterclass for the YoungArts Miami chapter in 2019, and underserved communities in the Philippines & Jamaica.
NIKKI GUERRA
"A Force of Nature" - Bill Carson, WJCW Radio
Cuban-American “powerhouse vocalist” and songwriter, Nicolle “Nikki” Guerra, always remained true to her childhood dream of becoming a singer. A native of Miami, FL, she straddled multiple musical cultures, passionately embracing her Cuban roots while immersing herself in classic rock and Caribbean funk. Her charisma, mass appeal, and command of the stage visibly radiate, engaging multicultural audiences through dynamic performances.
Nikki was trained in opera and musical theater performance from an early age, and is a graduate of Miami Dade College and New York’s American Musical and Dramatic Academy. She then found a second calling in creative arts therapies, completing her BFA in Musical Theatre at The New School in Manhattan with a certificate in Creative Arts and Health. Since then, Nikki has channeled the healing powers of music and art by mentoring, teaching, and performing in many arts-based programs from New York to Miami, including Village Playback Theatre, Guitars Over Guns, and For Jamaica Inc. She also works as a Teaching Artist with female survivors of human trafficking.
After a decade in NYC, Nikki and her husband – bassist and songwriter Ariel de la Portilla – returned to their roots, resettling in Miami and creating their collaborative groovechild, Guerra Grooves, now known as Mama Fuma. Since then, they have been playing venues throughout South Florida and beyond, including private events & corporate parties.
During the COVID-19 shutdown, Nikki and Ariel self-produced their debut EP, MAMA FUMA, released in 2022. They also collaborate with Grammy-nominated cellist Dave Eggar and Grammy-nominated drummer/producer Chuck Palmer, playing regional festivals such as Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Floyd Fest, Rhythm & Blooms and Gathering in the Gap.
In 2018 Nikki opened for EVANESCENCE as a featured vocalist with Dave & Chuck’s project, Cellogram, at the Coral Sky Amphitheater in West Palm Beach. In 2022, she was asked to sing at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C. with the Dana Tai Soon Dance Company.