Duo Celebrates 20th Anniversary On The Airwaves Of WDNA

Next time you turn on the radio, what you hear might not be your local tunes—you might find music from halfway across the world.

On WDNA 88.9 FM, international rhythms are broadcast every Sunday from 4-6 p.m on Global Gumbo. The show is curated by hosts Michelle “Majica” Naples and Manuel “Mano P.” Pila. 

Majica, who is a professional assistant for the Earth Ethics Institute at Miami Dade College,  and her husband Mano P, who earned an associate degree in mass communication and journalism from Wolfson Campus in 1987, celebrated their 20th anniversary on the airwaves of WDNA in June.  

“It goes by quick, it goes by very quick, but I don’t feel like any time was wasted. I feel like it was an investment in our community, in the music,” Majica said. “To be able to share that is a blessing…we’re so happy to do it.”

Connected By Tunes

Mano P. found his passion for music playing the drums when he was 10.

In 1993, he founded The Baboons, a worldbeat band. The group has been active for more than 30 years.  He is the lead drummer and songwriter

Mano P. met Majica in July of 1993 after the band played at The Zoo, a now-defunct nightclub in Fort Lauderdale. A sign at the show read “Please feed the baboons.” 

“I followed the directions and I fed them bananas on the stage, and my husband ate [them],” Majica said. “He wasn’t my husband then, but he ate the bananas wildly out of my hands and I was like, I’ve got to get involved in this!” 

At the band’s next rehearsal, she joined them—as their lead singer. 

Making It On Air

In 2005, Majica volunteered at WDNA, where she eventually got the opportunity to host the station’s Latin Jazz Quarter show with Mano P. 

For six years, the pair pushed the limits of what audiences perceive as latin jazz. They mixed the genre with different styles of music from across the world, ranging from Italian folk music to flamenco jazz. 

After several proposals for an authentic world music show, their wish was finally granted. In 2011, Global Gumbo was officially launched.

“Just by listening you can tell how much affection and care they put into what they do, researching everything,” said Gene De Souza, general manager of WDNA.

They’ve hosted guest musicians from across the globe, including the Romeu family, musicians from Cuba who have been playing for generations.

“Every hair on my body was standing up when they were playing the music,” Majica said. “I felt like there were angels in the room with us.” 

Global Gumbo aims to continue their mission of bringing music from all around the world to South Florida listeners. 

“There’s always new, cool things coming out all over the world,” Mano P. said. “If you listen with open ears and an open mind, you’re going to keep hearing the beauty of humanity.” 

All Global Gumbo episodes are available online at WDNA’s website.You can also find them on iHeartRadio, iTunes Radio and WDNA’s mobile app. 

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