Born: October 24 Primary Instrument: Vocal
“I grew up singing and listening to boleros, “trova cubana”, Brazilian popular music(MPB) and Jazz standards, but it was only when i started studing music that I embrased Jazz as a form of expressión. I find that Jazz today, is the most universal and generous expression within the popular music because it gives you the posibility, through improvisation and uniqueness of sound, to explore your own voice and innerworld in a perfect comunication and interaction with other musicians. It enrichess the music in a sophisticated and deep way, and its completly inclusive when integrating rythms and estetics from other cultures, ”and most important, it gives me a great sense of connectiveness and profound joy”. -Magos Herrera
Born in Mexico City, the deep and captivating performer, Magos Herrera is considered one of the most beautiful voices and the most active vocalist of the contemporary Latin American jazz scene.
Immensely popular throughout Mexico and Latin America, a dazzling accomplished singer-songwriter known for her beguiling rhythmic scatting, inflected with soulful Latin- Andalusian phrasings, Magos Herrera owns a unique signature that elegantly blends her classic jazz styling with latinamerican melodies. Fluent in Spanish, Portuguese and English, her repertoire is filled with the yearning romance, intimacy and enchantment of Mexican and Cuban sones and boleros, and sultry, languid brazilian beats.
Her career started in Italy in 1988 where she decided to become professionally involved with music, and then graduated from the “Musicians Institute” in Los Angeles, Cal. For over 12 years Magos has performed in international performing arts centers, festivals, concert halls such as Lincoln Center in New York, Millenium Park in Chicago, Knitting Factory and Jazz Standard in NYC, Teatro de la Ciudad de Mexico and Sala Galileo Galilei in Madrid, among many others. She was nominated in 2006 for ”Lunas del Auditorio Nacional” in Mexico for the best Jazz concert among Bobby Mcferrin and Bill Frisell.
She has 5 CD recordings including “ Cajuina”, “Orqhideas Susurrantes,” “Pais Maravilla” , “Todo Puede Inspirar,” and” Soliluna” and 2 international compilations for Brazil and Japan, and is part of the acclaimed “Mexican Divas” cd series . Over the past 4 years, through her pro-active love for music, she produced and hosted 2 TV show that promoted music for Mexico’s TV, channel 22, and featured guest stars like Ute Lemper, Jerry Gonzalez, Diego el Cigala, Francisco Cespedes, among many others.
Based in New York since 2007, Magos Herrera promptly became part of the scene since her successful concert at New York Winter Jazz Festival in 2008. Has recorded with Saxofonist Tim Ries for “The Rolling Stones Jazz Project II” and for contemporary composer Paola Prestini for Traveling songs “VIA project”.
In spring 2009 Magos will be releasing her newest CD” Distancia (Sunnyside Records, 2009), produced by Tim Ries, featuring guitarist Lionel Loueke, pianist Aaron Goldberg, bassist Ricky Rodriguez and drummer Alex Kautz. This album portraits a new perspective for Latin American Jazz singing.
…The Mexican-born Herrera sings in Spanish, English and Portuguese. But really, what she does on Distancia transcends language. Blending elements from various traditions, she's stretching the very notion of jazz singing, pushing past the diva pleasantries into a sound that's bold, thrilling and effortlessly global. Tom Moon for NPR radio 06/09 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php? storyId=104880601&sc=emaf
…“Herrera creates a thoroughly modern expression of jazz performance and Latin culture on Distancia, easily holding the weight of an intelligent and complex sound with her prodigious musicianship.” The Latin Jazz Corner by Chip Boaz http://www.chipboaz.com/blog/2009/06/12/album-of-the- week-distancia-magos herrera/
…“Though jazz long ago embraced Afro-Cuban influences that ought to make Mexico a logical bastion of the music, there are few well-known players from Mexico. But here is a brilliant singer, Magos Herrera, with a US debut on Sunnyside Records, recording with a top-flight band (Aaron Goldberg’s piano, Lionel Louke on guitar, among others) and making Mexican jazz sound as obvious as chocolate ice cream.” Will Layman for popmatters, 06/09 http://www.popmatters.com/pm/column/92830-singers- singers-everywhere
…5.0 out of 5 stars Magos Herrera lovely, intriguing jazz vocal artistry, “Magos Herrera is a fascinating, multi- talented singer and this is one of 2009's best vocal performances. My Highest Recommendation. Five INTERNATIONAL Stars!RBS Prod” May,2009 http://www.Amazon.com
…”Magos music is limitless and speaks straight to one’s emotional self, her music is really bringing such a fresh and powerful coloration to the palette we call Jazz”. Dan Purcea .Audience in Montreal Jazz Fest. June 2009
- Distancia / Sunnyside records / 2009
- Soliluna / JM / 2006
- Todo puede inspirar / EMI Music/ 2005
- País Maravilla / Suave Records / 2003
- Orquídeas Susurrantes / JM / 2000
- Cajuina / Indie / 1999
- Mexican Divas II / Opción Sónica / 2001
- Mexican Divas III / Opción Sonica / 2002
- Magos Herrera Compilation / Mecca Japon / 2004
- Minha Historia compilation / Casser Brasil / 2007
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Primary Instrument:
Vocal
Location:
new york, NY
Credentials/Background:
Since 2000 Magos teaches vocal technique,
vocal improvisation privately and master classes in music
schools suchas Fermatta (Berklee associated school in
Mexico
City), DIM music school in Mexico City, Miami Dade College,
Pella University in Iowa.
Clinic/Workshop Information:
Since 2000 Magos teaches vocal technique,
vocal improvisation privately and master classes in music
schools suchas Fermatta (Berklee associated school in
Mexico
City), DIM music school in Mexico City, Miami Dade College,
Pella University in Iowa.
