Mario Calire

Who is Mario Calire?

Mario Calire is a veteran LA-based drummer, celebrated for his long affiliations with The Wallflowers and Ozomatli and his wide-ranging freelance work.

A native of Buffalo, NY, Mario moved to California when his dad, keyboardist/saxophonist Jimmy Calire, got a gig with the band America. Raised alongside his two talented brothers in the bohemian Ojai valley by his musical father and artist mother, Mario was blessed with an inspiring environment that proved the ideal incubator to nurture his creativity.

Mario studied jazz and world music at the California Institute of The Arts. He networked quickly and began playing frequently around Los Angeles, eventually landing a gig with The Wallflowers in 1995. He laid down the beat during the band’s peak years, playing chart-topping hits to stadium crowds around the world as The Wallflowers became one of rock's biggest acts.

In 2003, Mario joined seminal LA Latin band Ozomatli, which proved a fruitful partnership from the start. The album "Street Signs" won two Grammy awards and fueled a career resurgence bolstered by the band's legendary live shows.