 Sube Azul is a fully formed synthesis, reflecting Sofia’s immersion in modern and progressive jazz while also responding to the pull of ancestry and the appeal of organic, pan-musical connections. A native of Buenos Aires, Sofia brings to bear the folkloric traditions of Argentina and its regional neighbors (Peru, Colombia, Uruguay), tying together diverse influences in a program full of complexity, melody and romance. The songs speak of heartbreak, individuality, special characters in Sofia’s life, the challenges of life abroad. There are tributes to Argentina’s copleras (female folkloric singers), and comments on what Sofia terms “the end of the utopia of the upcoming Latin American revolution.” And yet even as Sube Azul spans the continents, it transcends its origins and gathers force as a self-contained narrative, more than the sum of its parts. |
 Ojalá -Sofia’s debut album- presents a rainbow of poignant melodies, involved orchestrations, folkloric textures and all-around superb musicianship, centered around Sofía's rich, full-bodied, dolorous vocal instrument. Singing in Spanish, Portuguese, or English, Sofía pursues a cross-pollination of traditions reflected in her original compositions and arrangements. Ojalá has received incredible critical acclaim and has been chosen a TOP 10 Album of 2006 by the “Jazz Journalists Association.” |
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| MYCALE VOCAL PROJECT In 2004, Mac Arthur Fellow, composer John Zorn wrote over 300 new tunes for his popular Masada project, and he now initiates a new series of recordings featuring the best players out of the burgeoning Masada family in dynamic units performing compositions from Masada Book Two—The Book of Angels. Expressive and passionate, Basya Schecter, Ayelet Rose Gottlieb, Malika Zarra and Sofia Rei Koutsovitis are four of the most creative vocalists around. Each the leader of a dynamic band of their own, they come together here in an intimate a cappella setting to interpret eleven songs from Zorn's remarkable Book of Angels. With lyrics in Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino, French, Spanish and Arabic drawn from Rumi, Fernando Pessoa, The Hebrew Bible and more, the Masada vocal project is perhaps the most hauntingly beautiful installments in the entire Angels series. Dynamic and evocative New Jewish Music from four powerful women vocalists. +MySpace Mycale will be released by Tzadik records on January 26th 2010. |
| GEOFFREY KEEZER'S AUREA A groundbreaking recording by pianist extraordinaire Geoffrey Keezer, featuring folkloric Afro-Peruvian and Argentinian music mixed with jazz, and features today's hottest musicians from New York, Buenos Aires and Lima, Peru. Aurea has just been nominated for a GRAMMY in the Latin Jazz Category! "Outstanding... Keezer has definitely stepped up to the plate as a writer and arranger. Fantastic writing, arranging and playing on this release and it's fresh in it's approach and direction." - Jae Sinnet, jazzweek.com |
| ALCATRAZ Featuring Eric Kurimski (guitar), Hector Morales (percussion), Marcos Napa (percussion) and Edward Perez (bass and musical direction), Alcatraz offers a panoramic picture of the music of the Peruvian coast, from the spirited afroperuvian festejos and poignant landos to the popular creole waltzes. The ensemble’s rendering of classic Peruvian repertoire draws upon influences of traditional Peruvian ensembles and artists from the earliest recordings to the present, including Carlos Hayre, Teatro del Milenio, Perú Negro and Susana Baca, fusing these elements to arrive at an original interpretation that speaks to the tradition and yet resonates in the present day. In addition to playing their chosen instrument, each member of the ensemble doubles as a vocalist and percussionist. Through their energetic and passionate delivery, the music emanates not from the five individual band-members, but from a spirit and tradition common to them as well as all musicians, dancers, and devotees of costal Peruvian music. |
| FOLKLORE URBANO Pablo Mayor - Folklore Urbano features the original music and arrangements of New York City composer/arranger/pianist Pablo Mayor. The music features seductive Colombian rhythms entwining with sophisticated jazz harmonies and form. This 12-piece band captivates listeners of all ages and ethnicities with music that is at the same time danceable, festive, and intriguing. New York City-based Folklore Urbano features an exceptional jazz horn section along with a Colombian folkloric drums/ percussion (tambora, alegre, maracas), and vocals. Folklore Urbano forges new territory by presenting the improvisatory elements of jazz while retaining the rhythm and flavor of a Colombian tradition that is mostly unknown today. Their latest CD, Corazón, has been released by Chonta Records in 2008 and has been broadcast throughout South America, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Puerto Rico, Miami, and New York. It’s no exaggeration to say that Folklore Urbano has redefined modern Colombian music, setting new heights in both world music & Latin jazz. “…Folklore Urbano’s 12 members perform material that is authentic and refreshing, due in no small part to Mayor’s amazing way of synthesizing jazz with Colombian folkloric music, taking Latin music to an entirely new dimension” - Latin Beat Magazine |
| SAMUEL TORRES - YAOUNDÉ on Blue Conga records http://www.samueltorres.com The music on Yaoundé, the second recording from percussionist/composer Samuel Torres, is the product of one of today's most versatile and formidable Latin jazz artists absorbing the richness of some of the world's greatest cultural melting pots. "Torres has certainly attempted something really ambitious. To the extent that he has managed to mantain the level of energy that is required conducting a sort of ritual prayer and cleansing, this album hold up at most levels. It bears listening over and over again, and like the skin of an onion, more meaning is revealed as the music leads the listener closer to the center of its being" - Latin Jazz Net |
| AVANTRIO Jorge Roeder (acoustic bass), Jorge Perez Albela (cajon) and Sofia Rei Koutsovitis (vocals and charango) get together in this unique trio project. These three organic, raw instruments create a new sound where space adds a new dimension. The Avantrio project soon evolved from its initial all-Peruvian acoustic trio concept into a melánge of South American folk styles from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela and Uruguay. Their new goal is to complete a series of original compositions that will be part of Avantrio’s first recording project. +Facebook Support this project here: http://microfundo.mymondomix.com/sofiamusic/avantrio |
