Magos Herrera
Encyclopedia
Magos Herrera is a Mexican jazz
singer who sings in English, Spanish, and Portuguese and has an international following, especially in Latin America, the USA, Japan, and beyond. She has recorded with saxophonist Tim Ries for “The Rolling Stones
Jazz
Project
II” and for contemporary composer Paola Prestini for Traveling songs “VIA project”. She is a singer, songwriter, musician, actress, vocal teacher, and recording artist who performs with her groups in clubs, on TV shows, in concert halls, and at music festivals around the world.
, deep and captivating performer Magos Herrera is considered one of the most beautiful voices and one of the most active vocalists on the contemporary Latin American jazz scene.
Immensely popular throughout Mexico
and Latin America
, a dazzlingly accomplished singer-songwriter known for her beguiling rhythmic scatting, inflected with soulful Latin-Andalusian phrasings, Grammy nominee, Magos Herrera owns a uniquely poignant vocal signature that elegantly blends her classic jazz
styling with Latin-American 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.
in 1988 where she decided to become professionally involved with music, and then graduated from the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles
, California
.
Back in Mexico City in 1998, Magos started performing as a solo artist in festivals around Mexico with a duet piano and voice project recording her first album Cajuina. In 2000, Magos released her second album Whispering Orchids (Opcion Sonica) in Mexico and in the USA. This album became the “CD of the week” of vanguardist radio station 90.5 FM and Horizonte Radio 107.9 FM.
In 2002, Magos Herrera started a tour in US and Mexico promoting the “Mexican Divas Project”, that culminated in the Lincoln Center concert in New York City.
In 2003, Magos toured in Mexico, Japan
and Spain
presenting her third album “Pais Maravilla”/ Suave records. This album became the “Top Ten” of Jazz sales in Mexico along with Nora Jones.
In 2005 Magos released her fourth album Todo puede inspirar (EMI
) music touring around Mexico and Brazil
, leading the “top ten” jazz
sales in the country
for six months. Circulo Mix Magazine wrote the following about this release: ”Todo puede inspirar reveals a new time for one of the most important artists in our country
but a new era for jazz in Mexico.”
In 2006 JM Distribuidores released the acclaimed jazz CD Soliluna, featuring the two most outstanding vocalists in Mexico, Magos Herrera and Iraida Noriega.
In 2007, Magos moved to United States
where she became part of the New York
scene promptly with her successful debut in January 2008 at The Winter Jazz Festival. She participated in recordings such as The Rolling Stones Project II by Tim Ries and Travelling Songs "VIA project" for contemporary composer Paola Prestini.
In spring 2009 Magos released her newest CD Distancia (Sunnyside Records), 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. This CD has received rave reviews.
For over 12 years Magos has performed in international performing arts centers, festivals, concert halls such as Lincoln Center, Knitting Factory and Jazz Standard in New York, Millennium Park in Chicago
, Jazz Festival in Montreal
, International Jazz Festival at the Ribiera Maya, Teatro de la Ciudad de México 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 six CD recordings including Cajuina, Orquídeas Susurrantes, Pais Maravilla, Todo Puede Inspirar, Soliluna and Distancia; plus two international compilations for Brazil and Japan, and is part of the acclaimed “Mexican Divas” cd series. Over the past four years, through her pro-active love for music, she produced and hosted two TV show that promoted music for Mexico’s TV, channel 22, and featured guest stars like Ute Lemper, Jerry González, Diego el Cigala, Francisco Céspedes
, 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 Saxophonist Tim Ries for The Rolling Stones Jazz Project II and for contemporary composer Paola Prestini for Traveling Songs “VIA project”. The CD Distancia features Lionel Loueke on guitar, Aaron Goldberg on piano, Ricky Rodriguez on bass and Alex Kautz drums.
schools such as Fermatta (Berklee associated school in Mexico City
), DIM music school in Mexico City
.
for Mexico’s TV, channel 22: Acustico and Jazz desde el Bajo Centro and featured guest stars like Ute Lemper, Jerry González, Diego el Cigala, Francisco Céspedes
, among many others.
/ 2005
2004-05-06-07-08
02-04-06-09
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
singer who sings in English, Spanish, and Portuguese and has an international following, especially in Latin America, the USA, Japan, and beyond. She has recorded with saxophonist Tim Ries for “The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
Jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
Project
Project
A project in business and science is typically defined as a collaborative enterprise, frequently involving research or design, that is carefully planned to achieve a particular aim. Projects can be further defined as temporary rather than permanent social systems that are constituted by teams...
II” and for contemporary composer Paola Prestini for Traveling songs “VIA project”. She is a singer, songwriter, musician, actress, vocal teacher, and recording artist who performs with her groups in clubs, on TV shows, in concert halls, and at music festivals around the world.
Early life
Born in Mexico CityMexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
, deep and captivating performer Magos Herrera is considered one of the most beautiful voices and one of the most active vocalists on the contemporary Latin American jazz scene.
Immensely popular throughout Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
, a dazzlingly accomplished singer-songwriter known for her beguiling rhythmic scatting, inflected with soulful Latin-Andalusian phrasings, Grammy nominee, Magos Herrera owns a uniquely poignant vocal signature that elegantly blends her classic jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
styling with Latin-American melodies. Fluent in Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
, Portuguese
Portuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
and English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, her repertoire is filled with the yearning romance, intimacy and enchantment of Mexican and Cuban sones and boleros, and sultry, languid Brazilian beats.
Music career
Her career started in ItalyItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
in 1988 where she decided to become professionally involved with music, and then graduated from the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Back in Mexico City in 1998, Magos started performing as a solo artist in festivals around Mexico with a duet piano and voice project recording her first album Cajuina. In 2000, Magos released her second album Whispering Orchids (Opcion Sonica) in Mexico and in the USA. This album became the “CD of the week” of vanguardist radio station 90.5 FM and Horizonte Radio 107.9 FM.
In 2002, Magos Herrera started a tour in US and Mexico promoting the “Mexican Divas Project”, that culminated in the Lincoln Center concert in New York City.
In 2003, Magos toured in Mexico, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
presenting her third album “Pais Maravilla”/ Suave records. This album became the “Top Ten” of Jazz sales in Mexico along with Nora Jones.
In 2005 Magos released her fourth album Todo puede inspirar (EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
) music touring around Mexico and Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, leading the “top ten” jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
sales in the country
Country
A country is a region legally identified as a distinct entity in political geography. A country may be an independent sovereign state or one that is occupied by another state, as a non-sovereign or formerly sovereign political division, or a geographic region associated with a previously...
for six months. Circulo Mix Magazine wrote the following about this release: ”Todo puede inspirar reveals a new time for one of the most important artists in our country
Country
A country is a region legally identified as a distinct entity in political geography. A country may be an independent sovereign state or one that is occupied by another state, as a non-sovereign or formerly sovereign political division, or a geographic region associated with a previously...
but a new era for jazz in Mexico.”
In 2006 JM Distribuidores released the acclaimed jazz CD Soliluna, featuring the two most outstanding vocalists in Mexico, Magos Herrera and Iraida Noriega.
In 2007, Magos moved to United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
where she became part of the New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
scene promptly with her successful debut in January 2008 at The Winter Jazz Festival. She participated in recordings such as The Rolling Stones Project II by Tim Ries and Travelling Songs "VIA project" for contemporary composer Paola Prestini.
In spring 2009 Magos released her newest CD Distancia (Sunnyside Records), 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. This CD has received rave reviews.
For over 12 years Magos has performed in international performing arts centers, festivals, concert halls such as Lincoln Center, Knitting Factory and Jazz Standard in New York, Millennium Park in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Jazz Festival in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, International Jazz Festival at the Ribiera Maya, Teatro de la Ciudad de México and Sala Galileo Galilei in Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
, 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 six CD recordings including Cajuina, Orquídeas Susurrantes, Pais Maravilla, Todo Puede Inspirar, Soliluna and Distancia; plus two international compilations for Brazil and Japan, and is part of the acclaimed “Mexican Divas” cd series. Over the past four years, through her pro-active love for music, she produced and hosted two TV show that promoted music for Mexico’s TV, channel 22, and featured guest stars like Ute Lemper, Jerry González, Diego el Cigala, Francisco Céspedes
Francisco Céspedes
Francisco Fabián Céspedes Rodríguez, also known as Pancho Céspedes, is a Latin American singer, musician, and songwriter born in Santa Clara, Cuba. Céspedes is currently a naturalized Mexican...
, among many others.
Based in New York since 2007, Magos Herrera promptly became part of the scene since her successful concert at New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
Winter Jazz Festival in 2008. Has recorded with Saxophonist Tim Ries for The Rolling Stones Jazz Project II and for contemporary composer Paola Prestini for Traveling Songs “VIA project”. The CD Distancia features Lionel Loueke on guitar, Aaron Goldberg on piano, Ricky Rodriguez on bass and Alex Kautz drums.
Teaching
Since 2000 Magos teaches vocal technique and vocal improvisation privately and at musicMusic
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
schools such as Fermatta (Berklee associated school in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
), DIM music school in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
.
TV shows
Over the past 4 years, through her pro-active love for music, Magos produced and hosted two TV shows that promoted musicMusic
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
for Mexico’s TV, channel 22: Acustico and Jazz desde el Bajo Centro and featured guest stars like Ute Lemper, Jerry González, Diego el Cigala, Francisco Céspedes
Francisco Céspedes
Francisco Fabián Céspedes Rodríguez, also known as Pancho Céspedes, is a Latin American singer, musician, and songwriter born in Santa Clara, Cuba. Céspedes is currently a naturalized Mexican...
, among many others.
Theater
Magos performed in the play Modelo para armar by director; Pablo Mandoki. Centro Cultural Universitario Mexico CityMexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
/ 2005
Studio albums
- 1997: Cajuina
- 2000: Orquideas SusurrantesOrquideas Susurrantes"Orquideas Susurrantes" , is the Second Studio album by the Latin Jazz Mexican Singer Magos Herrera.-Background and Theme:...
- 2002: Pais MaravillaPais MaravillaPais Maravilla , is the third studio album by the Latin jazz Mexican singer Magos Herrera.-Background and theme:Three of the nine tracks inspired by Magos Herrera and the reminiscence of a classic Cuban lullaby "Drume Negrita" by Eliseo Grenet...
- 2005: Todo Puede InspirarTodo Puede Inspirar"Todo Puede Inspirar" , is the Fourth Studio album by the Latin Jazz Mexican Singer Magos Herrera.-Background and Theme:...
- 2006: SolilunaSoliluna"Soliluna", is a Duet Studio album by the Latin Jazz Mexican Singers Magos Herrera and Iraida Noriega.-Tracklisting:# "Soliluna"# "Estrellita" # "New Song "# "Y Entonces" # "Modhina"# "Lonely Woman "...
- 2009: DistanciaDistancia"Distancia" , is the Fifth Studio album by the Latin Jazz Mexican Singer Magos Herrera. Released on May 5, 2009. Tim Ries produced the album along with Magos Herrera.-Background and Theme:...
- 2010: Mexico AzulMexico AzulMexico Azul , is the sixth studio album by the Latin jazz Mexican singer Magos Herrera. Released on Aug 27, 2010 and digital release on Sep 7...
Other albums
- 2004: Magos HerreraMagos Herrera (album)"Magos Herrera" is a Japanese Compilation album by the Latin Jazz Mexican Singer Magos Herrera. Released on April 21, 2004 in Japan. The compilation album includes song from her previous albums Orquideas Susurrantes and Pais Maravilla.-Background and Theme:...
(JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese Compilation albumCompilation albumA compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
) - 2007: Minha HistoriaMinha Historia"Minha Historia" , it's a Brazilian Compilation album by the Latin Jazz Mexican Singer Magos Herrera. Released on March 25, 2008 in United States and July 18, 2007 in Brazil...
(BrazilBrazilBrazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian Compilation albumCompilation albumA compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
)
Main venues
- Montreal Jazz Festival / 2009
- Winter Jazz Festival / New York / 2008
- Shanghai International Arts Festival / 2008
- Millennium Park / Chicago / 2007
- Sor Juana Festival / Miller Outdoor Theatre Houston / 2007
- Jazz Standard / New York / 2008-09
- Lunario del Auditorio Nacional / Mexico City /
2004-05-06-07-08
- Teatro de la Ciudad de México / 2003/05/07/09
- Zocalo, Mexico City, FCH / 2005
- Espacio Santander / Porto Alegre, Brazil / 2007
- SESC / São Paulo, Brazil / 2005, 2007
- Museo Tamayo / 2006, 2007
- Museo de la Ciudad de Mexico / 2005/06/07
- Snugs Harbour Jazz Club / New Orleans / 2005
- Sky Building / Osaka Japan / 2004.
- Dazzles Jazz Club / Denver Colorado / 2004
- Sala Galileo Galilei / Madrid, Spain / 2003
- Anson Amphitheatre / LA, Cal / 2003
- Mexican Festival in New Delhi / India / 2003
- Lincoln Center / New York City / 2002
- Mayan Amphitheatre / LA, Cal / 2002
- Queens Festival / New York / 2002
- Makor / NYC / 2002
- Ryles Jazz Club / Boston, Mass / 2001, 2002
- FNAC Callao / Madrid, Spain / 2003
- Suristan / Madrid, Spain / 2003
- Berklee College of Music / 2002
- Festival Cervantino / Guanajuato, Mexico / 2001
- Centro Nacional de las Artes / Mexico / 2001-
02-04-06-09
- Festival Internacional de Jazz / Ribiera Maya
- Among many other hundreds of festivals and venues in Mexico and abroad.