Context can make such a huge impact upon an artist’s performance; sometimes they seem like a completely different musician when they move between different settings. Instrumental combinations create distinctly different tones for a musical performance, dictating elements of style and texture. They serve as a mixed blessing – they open different possibilities to a musician in terms of performance approaches, but they also test an artist’s creative merit. Moving between small and large ensemble place different demands upon a musician, and require them to integrate specific skill sets into their performances. If a musician has a wide variety of abilities and the flexibility to apply them liberally, they will discover different sides of themselves and inspire new modes of expression.

Vocalist Corina Bartra has spent a good part of her career playing with different contexts, leading to her current project. Bartra developed a deep connection to the musical culture of her native country Peru during her childhood and built a strong understanding of jazz performance during her education in New York. While she became a solid performer within each individual context, her music really came alive when she saw the potential of a mixture between the two. One of the early visionaries to blend Afro-Peruvian rhythms with jazz, Bartra created a context for her cultural connections. She explored this concept in several small group setting on early albums such as Son Zumbon and Bambu Sun. With each new project, Bartra took her perspective upon Afro-Peruvian Jazz one step further, developing not only style, but also a unique approach to singing within that genre. With her most recent recording, Bartra decided to take the music one step further and integrate Afro-Peruvian Jazz into a big band context. The resultant recording, Cielo Sandunguero, pairs Bartra with a large ensemble consisting of an impressive collection of New York jazz musicians performing Afro-Peruvian Jazz and more. The album shows Bartra as a commanding artistic presence with experience, style, depth, and a defined vocal approach to the music. She has extended her connection to the big band with performances alongside one of the world’s best big bands, the powerhouse Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, led by pianist Arturo O’Farrill. While Bartra spent her early career developing herself as an artist by defining a context for Afro-Peruvian Jazz, her forays into big band expressions have brought out the best of her mature musicianship.

Bartra demonstrates some important points about context with her recent release Cielo Sandunguero – context can bring out a different side of an artist and a masterful performance can bring a specific setting to life. The big band performance behind Bartra certainly invokes a different piece of her musicianship, both pleasing and inspired. She flies over the band and also interacts with them improvisational, making sure that she returns the charged musical experience. In honor of the impressive performance on Cielo Sandunguero, today’s Weekly Latin Jazz Video Fix is dedicated to Bartra. The first two videos place Bartra with O’Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, delivering a powerful performance. The last clip finds Bartra in a small group setting, singing one of her original compositions, “Latino Blues.” These performances show strong musicianship from Bartra across different contexts, from small group to large ensemble – enjoy!

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Corina Bartra With The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra

Corina Bartra With The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra

Corina Bartra Performing “Latino Blues

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Do you have a video to contribute to satisfy our weekly Latin Jazz video fix? If so, send it in – it’s time to feed our addiction. I’m looking for live performances, from any context. I’ll most likely be posting one video per week, but if you’ve got another idea, let’s talk. So come on Latin Jazz videographers, musicians, and fans – let’s share some of our memorable videos! Get my contact info HERE.

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Check Out These Related Posts:
Exploring Latin Jazz: 2 Afro-Peruvian Jazz Albums From Vocalist Corina Bartra
Album Of The Week: Two Worlds, Kiki Sanchez
Latin Jazz Photo Album: Corina Bartra & Her Azu Project
Weekly Latin Jazz Video Fix: Celebrating Women In Latin Jazz

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