A sophisticated jazz and contemporary world singer from Peru? Yes, Peru. In the last 100 years jazz has spread to every section of the globe bringing forth fine Latin jazz musicians from New York, Cuba and Brazil and now, Peru.
Corina was the first vocalist to blend Afro Peruvian music & Jazz here in New York, in Peru, Europe and elsewhere. She also pioneered subtle and exciting instrumental textures in her compositions and her arrangements. She writes extensive intros, interludes, and solos filled with inventive rhythms and beautiful harmonies. She also guided her arrangers to do so. With this approach, she adds an instrumental section to her unique & historic projects. Corina has an amazing versatility and flexibility in her singing approach. What is significant about Corina is that she is an original and a unique artist, who passionately opened boundaries.
Corina Bartra has degrees in jazz percussion from Mannes College of Music & L.I. University. She also has a Master’s in vocal performance from Queens College. Like so many jazz masters before her, Corina Bartra resides in the New York area (when she is not in Peru) where she not only plays but also can study the works of all those artists who came before her, building the international sound of jazz to what it is today. In one of her pioneering CD’s “Bambu Sun,” she dives into Afro Peruvian sonorities and other Latin undercurrents. It stands apart from the crowds. Corina is a recipient of the prestigious Queens Council of the Arts award. Her music has frequent airplay nationwide, as well as in Europe, and Peru. It has also topped the charts in Canada.
Another pioneering ground-breaking fusion of jazz and afro Latin music she started with CORINA BARTRA QUARTET, Son Zumbon,Travelog,Afro Peruvian Jazz Celebration,and Cielo Sandunguero when for the first time one could hear the incorporation of the cajon (Peruvian percussive box) and the festejo groove blended with jazz. Her most recent CD: “Afro Peruvian Jazz Celebration,” crowns her achievements as an Afro Peruvian Jazz pioneer. Her new CD “Tribute to Chabuca Granda,” is receiving raving reviews. Her wide versatility has allowed her to create various projects that rank from Latin-Jazz fusion, Afro Peruvian-Jazz Fusion, Andean-pop and world fusion. A recent project of hers is: Afro Peruvian New Trends Orchestra with its challenging production “ Uniting Beats,” an instrumental mini big band featuring her compositions, covers and arrangements has recently performed at the International festival of the Arts & Ideas in Connecticut June 19 2017. It also gather raving reviews from Scott Yanow at L.A.news. Her septet and sextets have appeared at many international festivals/venues such as Capitol Jazz Festival, Festival of the Arts& Ideas, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council woman’s festival, Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., ICPNA festival in Peru. Also appeared at Kunstfabrique in Berlin, Goldbeck House in Hamburg, and St Germain de Press in Paris. She will be performing tunes from her new release “Takunde,”coming out this Augost 2017.
