New York-based Grammy-nominated Mexican singer and composer Magos Herrera is one of the most expressive, beautiful voices in the contemporary Latin American jazz scene. Herrera is best known for her eloquent vocal improvisation and her bold style, which fuses elements of contemporary jazz with Latin American melodies and rhythms. In her return to live performances she will be joined by her Trio composed of Vinícius Gomes on guitar, Sam Minaie on bass, and Alex Kautz on drums. Magos will also be joined on stage by a string quartet composed of members of The Knights (Alex Fortes and Yaira Matyakubova on violin, Mario Gotoh on viola, and Caitlin Sullivan on cello).

The literal translation of “Remanso” in English is “backwater” a remote or isolated place, could also be where the flow of a river runs slowly or stops. A place like a monastery, a river bank or a haven of rest and tranquility. Humanity has experienced a pause for the last year and a half due to the Covid 19 pandemic, creating feelings of isolation, loss, and grieving, but also creating a space to reflect on the unconscious inertia of our daily lives. The constant mindset of anticipation, exhaustion, and separation from what is essential as individuals and as societies. For Magos, this space was a gate to transit, a personal pilgrimage to ground where her voice belongs, to continue nurturing a musical path filled with purpose, and an invitation to create a conscious, truer connection with the world.

The program will include new arrangements commissioned by Americas Society, songs included in the 2020 album Con Alma, and new original music written by Herrera with support from a Chamber Music Americas New Jazz Works grant.

This concert is supported by The Chamber Music America’s New Jazz Works.