Music of the Americas: Southern Cone

Tuesday, October 29, 10 am

Emilia Díaz is a composer and performer of music with Latin American roots living in Puerto Montt, in the Chilean Patagonia. She has recorded three musical albums: Semilla y girasol (2009), Vuela pajarito (2013), and Ser austral (2023). Her group currently includes saxophonist Caco Ralil, percussionist Patricio Cano, and accordionist Blaz Argel. Díaz has performed extensively in Chile and abroad, and currently teaches Latin American music and guitar at Universidad de Los Lagos. 

"Cumbia del bosque" is the first single from Ser austral. Using the popular Colombian rhythm, the song tells the story of an encounter between different Chilean birds. 

Wednesday, October 30, 10 am

Malena Azul and Matías Arriazu are artists of different musical styles who join forces for a project based on Argentine and Latin American rhythms that also leaves space for new forms of expression, encourages improvisation, and integrates tradition and innovation. The repertoire consists of original compositions and classics, fusing jazz and contemporary music. 

They sent us their version of Aníbal Troilo's classic "La trampera," based on the composer's 1963 version with guitarist Roberto Grela. The instruments alternate melodic and accompaniment roles, enriching the piece through dynamic interaction and respecting the spirit of tango while exploring new expressive possibilities.

Thursday, October 31, 10 am 

Juan Pablo Gascón is an Argentine guitarist, composer, and singer who has been exploring the popular musical genres of the region since 1995. He is a teacher and researcher in the Popular Music program at the Facultad de Artes de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata. 

He sent us his piece "No estoy solo," composed in 2020. It is a solo work for seven-string guitar that combines baroque techniques with a rhythm similar to the Argentine chacarera. It is part of his 2022 EP No estoy solo, which contains six instrumental songs for the seven-string guitar. 

In May 2024, pianists Pablo Ziegler and Masae Shiwa were on our stage with their Suite Buenos Aires program, dedicated to the music of Ástor Piazzolla and Ziegler. 

Watch here

The MetLife Foundation Music of the Americas concert series is made possible by the generous support of Presenting Sponsor MetLife Foundation.

The Fall 2024 Music program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, by the Howard Gilman Foundation, by the Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, by the Alice M. Ditson Fund of Columbia University, and by the Mex-Am Cultural Foundation.