Folk-futurist and award-winning vocalist, songwriter and producer, Sofía Rei weaves a deft and complicated tapestry of musical styles — a self-described pond-hopper when it comes to genre — whose training as an opera singer, fascination with Argentine folk traditions, and profound immersion in the multi-cultural mecca of New York City have all contributed to the music she plays today. Her collaborations are wide-ranging and studded with luminaries; like John Zorn, Marc Ribot, Bobby McFerrin, John Medeski, Susana Baca, and Pedrito Martinez.
She joins us in Florence with a new quartet ensemble including frequent collaborator JC Maillard (bass) , the virtuosic Jorge Glem (cuatro), and fellow Argentine Leo Genovese (piano). They will be presenting music from her new future-folk project Umbral (“threshold”). The project was recently featured on Tiny Desk and it is A-MAZING.
“…a latin folkloric encyclopedia right in the heart of New York City.” -VICE
ABOUT THIS GATHERING:
The backyard of the Florence Congregational Church is centrally located and provides us with generous and ample space to enjoy music, enjoy each other’s company, and also continue following state guidelines regarding social distancing. Guests are asked to wear masks. Due to limited capacity, we regrettably have to charge a youth ticket for kids ($10).
5PM picnic. Music at 7PM. Food pop-up TBA.
ABOUT UMBRAL:
In her most recent project, an exhaustive exploration of the voice as an instrument of texture and expression, Sofía Rei breaks away from the established continuity of her work, creating a daring new soundscape that blends South American folk with pop, electronic music and improvisation.
A soul-searching trip to the Elqui Valley in Chile Sofía, armed with only two back packs of recording equipment and her charango, she created the core of her newest musical venture: “Umbral” (Threshold). Her unorthodox compositions are built almost exclusively from vocal loops and incorporate the series “Cinco poemas cínicos” (Five Cynical Poems), in which the songwriter displays her natural inclination towards lyricism. Incisive and imaginative, Sofia’s poetry responds to heartbreak, deception and disappointment with unrestrained candor, elegant humor and a heavy dose of sarcasm.