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Sofia Koutsovitis Group Performs At The Blue Note |
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Sofia Koutsovitis Group
September 3, 2007
8 pm and 10:30 pm
Tickets: Bar $5, Table $10
Blue Note Jazz Club
131 W. 3rd St
212-475-8592
bluenote.net
 Sofía Koutsoviti  Sofia Koutsovitis Group  Sofía Koutsovitis Group at Satalla Club in New York City
The music of the Sofia Koutsovitis Group is grounded in South American rhythms like chacarera and zamba from Argentina, Afro-Peruvian festejo and lando, and various Brazilian genres, which it unites witht he harmonic and melodic innovations of jazz in a pan-stylistic tapestry of sound. Singing in Spanish, Portuguese, or English, Sofia's voice simultaneously employs stylistic codes drawn from multiple sources. This cross pollination of musical traditions is reflected in her original compositions and arrangements of selections by eminent musical poets such as Silvio Rodriguez, Astor Piazolla, Paulinho da Viola, Chabuca Granda and Raul Carnota.
The ensemble produces a range of textures as diverse as the cultural roots of its members, an international cast that includes some of the most exciting young talent from North and South America. Supporting Sofia's beautiful vocals are Peruvian bassist Jorge Roeder, Peruvian percussionist Jorge Perez Albela, Argentine pianist Leo Genovese, young drumming phenomenon Richie Barshay, trumpeter Eric Bloom, tenor and soprano sax player Dan Blake, and Alto saxophonis Adam Schneit. Jorge Roeder has worked in a variety of settings ranging from Classical, as assistant principal bassist of the Lima Philharmonic at age 21, to folkloric music and jazz (with jazz legend Roy Haynes, among others). Jorge Perez Albela has a wide-ranging experience in jazz and folkloric traditions from his country, having worked with legendary vocalists Eva Ayllon, Tania Libertad and Fabiola De La Cuba.
Richie Barshay has been a member of Herbie Hancock's group since 2003. Rounding out the rhythm section is Leo Genovese, a Fresh Sound recording artist who tours Europe and South America regularly as part of several ensembles. The sounds of saxophonist Dan Blake, whom Dave Liebman has called "one of the most diverse and adventurous young players I have heard," sure-toned saxophonist and clarinetist Adam Scheit, and Jason Palmer on trumpet (a member of Blue Note artist Greg Osby's group), intermingle to create unexpected sonorities and flights of collective improvisation.
In truth, the only predictable feature in the playful music of the Sofia Koutsovitis Group may be its leader's search for change and surprise, a sonic discovery leading the listener to a very different place in each song.
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