SOFIA REI KOUTSOVITIS: Ojala

Sofia Rei Koutsovitis

Ojala

© 2005 Sofia Koutsovitis (747014533727)

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The music of Sofia Koutsovitis’ octet is grounded in South American rhythms which she unites with the harmonic and melodic innovations of jazz in a pan-stylistic tapestry of sound.

notes

"Ojala is a very fine debut from an extremely talented singer, composer and arranger(....) a unique, very attractive and extremely seductive recording"
Budd Kopman, All About Jazz

"Sofia is a very gifted Latin American singer. She knows how to combine the best of her Argentine roots with the skills and passion necessary to make many contributions to our music community."
Danilo Perez

“Sofia Koutsovitis is one of the most memorable performers I have ever encountered…As a songwriter she is superb and original.” Curtis Fuller

“… a wonderfully unique young singer.”
Luciana Souza

“Sofia Koutsovitis’ self released Ojala is a surprise for a jazz vocal album: an octet recording as notable for the leader’s provocative orchestral arrangements as for her deep dark vocals.”
Jon Garelick, The Boston Phoenix

“Sofía Koutsovitis’ Ojalá is full of interesting twists, turns, and delights…It’s a beautiful and unusual CD. When you have finished listening to it, you will know that she is far from being 'just another singer'.”
Joyce Corbett, The Live Music Report

“…a talent to be discovered by the great public”
Estacion Tierra


Sofia Koutsovitis belongs to a new generation of musicians who imaginatively explore the connection between jazz and contemporary music and the rich musical traditions of South America. An active vocalist, composer and arranger, her music is grounded in traditional South American rhythms that merge organically with sophisticated harmonies and exploratory improvisations. Singing in Spanish, Portuguese or English, Sofia's voice is alternately graceful and authoritative in interpreting her original compositions or material by eminent musical poets such as Silvio Rodriguez, Astor Piazolla, Paulinho da Viola, and Chabuca Granda.

Sofia grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She started her musical studies at the age of 4 and began singing professionally in the prestigious Children's Choir of Buenos Aires Opera House Teatro Colon when she was 9 years old. She studied classical vocal performance at the National Conservatory and gained experience within the circles of classical and avant-garde music, performing in the most distinguished halls of Buenos Aires. In 2001, incited by her desire to learn vocal improvisation techniques and composition, she moved to Boston to pursue a Master's Degree at the New England Conservatory, where she studied with Danilo Perez, Dominique Eade, Charlie Banacos and Steve Lacy. In 2004, she was invited to take part in the international 'Betty Carter Jazz Ahead' institute, a program designed to promote emerging jazz composers, and in 2005 her music was featured during a residency at the 2005 Aspen Jazz Academy, directed by Christian McBride.

Currently a resident of New York City, since making the move in 2005, Sofia has become a very active member of the new Jazz and Latin American music scene - collaborating with musicians and groups such as: Maria Schneider, Geoffrey Keezer's Aurea, Aquiles Baez, Lionel Loueke, Pablo Mayor-Folklore Urbano, Pablo Aslan's Avantango, Jamey Haddad, etc.

Sofia has toured Europe, North and South America singing at renowned international jazz and world music festivals and venues such as Aspen/Snowmass Jazz Festival, the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, the Blue Note (NYC), the Chicago World Music Festival, the International Jazz en Lima Festival (Peru) and the Festival de Jazz de Barcelona. Her debut album OJALA has received great critical acclaim and has been chosen a top 10 album of 2006 by the Jazz Journalists Association.

reviews

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  • Beautiful!!
    author: Barry

    great voice, great CD. refreshing and new!!.

  • Wow
    author: Jem

    If you like music, at all, buy this. I really loved it, i mean, wow, how could you not? That's all i can really say, it touched my soul.

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