Primary Instrument: Vocal
Argelis began her music studies in Panama City, Panama where she graduated with a degree in guitar performance from the National Conservatory of Music and a bachelor of arts in music from the University of Panama. She was then awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study in the United States. After receiving a master's degree in music from the University of Oregon Argelis returned to Panama, teaching guitar and harp performance at the National Conservatory and music appreciation at the University of Panama.
She has performed as a soloist guitar player and singer as well as with flutists, violinists, pianists, and singers in the United States and Central America. She has been featured with the National Symphony Orchestra of Panama and created the first National Guitar Orchestra of Panama.
Her passion for jazz and Brazilian music has inspired Argelis to compose Latin jazz songs and explore this musical style as a guitarist, singer, and songwriter. In the spring of 2006, Argelis released her first CD, Nostalgia, comprising samples of her English Latin jazz compositions. In her most recent CD, Prescience (2008), Argelis sings in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Renowned musicians from the Portland area collaborate with her: Ken Anoe, Steve Christofferson, Alan Tarpinian, and Gary Lewis on bass, piano, drums, and flute and saxophone.
Latin jazz is the style of Argelis’s compositions including bossa, samba, bolero, danzon, and salsa in addition to straight-ahead jazz. Her lyrics are romantic with beautiful melodies and complex harmonies that set the perfect stage for interesting improvisations. Argelis’s sultry voice along with the piano, flute, saxophone, bass, and drums combine in a skillful way to enhance the different moods of her music.
“Prescience is a work of style, talent, and class. Argelis is a truly versatile artist.” - Panama America
