Argentine Folk with
Sofía R. and Sofia T.
Meet the Artists
Sofía R.
Sofía Rei is an Argentine vocalist, composer, producer, and educator who combines South American folkloric styles, jazz, pop, new classical, and electronic sounds to create her own distinctive sound. Since moving to New York in 2005, she has released four critically acclaimed albums as a bandleader, including two that earned Independent Music Awards for Best Album. Her music has taken her around the world with performances at such venues as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, Wiener Konzerthaus, and Montreal’s International Jazz Festival.
Sofia T.
Originally from Córdoba, Argentina, Sofia Tosello is a vocalist, composer, and music educator. Sofia T. is regarded as a cherished voice in the vibrant scene of New York City artists who are redefining Latin American song. Jazz Times notes, “The next wave in Latin-American jazz may well begin with Tosello.” Sofia T. has worked with such artists as Grammy Award–winners Thalía, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, and the Pedro Giraudo Jazz Orchestra, and has performed throughout the United States, Asia, and Latin America.
Artist and Genre Overview
Sofía Rei grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital and cosmopolitan center; Sofia Tosello grew up on a farm in the Argentine countryside. They found each other in New York City, where each has honed her own singular musical style, growing from deep roots in Argentine traditions and encompassing a range of influences, including pop, classical, and particularly jazz.
Like the two performers, Argentina’s traditional music has parallel rural and urban strands. The music of the cities is characterized by tango, a musical style and dance born in Buenos Aires in the 19th century, blending European and African elements. A rural, folk counterpart to tango that developed at the same time is the chacarera—the song style and dance that the students will be learning.
Explore More
Lessons
Student Activities
Additional Resources for Teachers
Listening
- Visit sofiamusic.com to hear more music by Sofía R. and sofiatosello.com to hear more music by Sofia T.
- Mercedes Sosa, “La Flor Azul”
- Maria Elena Walsh, “Chacarera de los Gatos”
- Tomás Lipán, “El Humahuaqueño”
- Merceditas, “Los Chalchaleros”
- Suna Rocha, “Punai,” and “La Sachapera”
Readings
- Argentine Folk Songs, Octavio Corvalan
- “Chacarera” from The Dances of the World’s Peoples, Vol. 3: Caribbean and South America
- The Latin Tinge: The Impact of Latin American Music on the United States, John Storm Roberts
Literacy Extension
- Las Manchas Del Sapo: How the Toad Got His Spots, Majorie E. Herrmann