Esteemed Mexican jazz vocalist Magos Herrera is set to grace the stage at SPACE this Thursday, November 7th. Credit: Shervin Lainez
Continuing her highly anticipated tour across the U.S. and Mexico this month, Magos Herrera will perform for the very first time in Evanston at SPACE, a venue celebrated for its intimate atmosphere. This space is incredibly well-suited for a vocalist of Herrera’s phenomenal talent, as she captivates audiences with her dynamic performances in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, echoing the fervor of jazz legends.
As she travels through the U.S., Herrera is particularly thrilled about connecting with an entirely new audience in Evanston.
“I’ve performed in Chicago before, but this will be my first time in Evanston, and I’m genuinely excited,” she remarked. “It’s always a joy to engage new audiences and share my music after such an extensive tour that has taken me to numerous places across the United States and Mexico. The narrative we present is always relevant, and I believe it’s never too late to share meaningful stories. What I cherish most about touring is the opportunity to discover new listeners, and I know that SPACE is a beautiful venue, which makes this performance even more special,” she added, her enthusiasm palpable.
The overarching theme of her recent album, Aire, emerged during the pandemic, a period when millions were forced to reevaluate their lives and contemplate the concept of a “new normal.” This reflection was a significant inspiration for Herrera and her band while recording the album.
“Most of the songs were penned during the pandemic, amidst lockdown,” she reflected. “With this album, my goal was to encapsulate all that we contemplated during those difficult times, acknowledging everything we took for granted before the onset of the pandemic.”
The concepts of gratitude and togetherness form the emotional core of the album, resonating with many people’s sentiments as they emerged from the pandemic experience. However, Herrera emphasized that true gratitude requires an understanding of the impermanence of life.
“During lockdown, we felt the reality of impermanence in a very profound way,” she shared thoughtfully.
This acknowledgment of change led to her inclusion of two beloved songs from the Latin American songbook in the album: Alfonsina y el Mar and Gracias a la Vida. The haunting Alfonsina y el Mar, which translates to Alfonsina and the Sea, recounts the tragic story of Argentinian poet Alfonsina Storni, who took her own life by walking into the Mar Del Plata Sea in 1938. Written in 1969 by Felix Luna, the song paints a lyrical picture of Alfonsina’s final journey into the sea, evoking a sense of transformation.
This idea of metamorphosis deeply resonates with Herrera, who interprets the song as a metaphorical transition following the pandemic. “It signifies not an end, but a transformation into something new. It carries a message of renewal and does not bear the weight of finality,” she explained. “My hope is that we can take these experiences from the pandemic and transform them into something better.”
Aire, alongside her earlier album Con Alma, represents two distinct perspectives on the pandemic. While Aire embodies a spirit of celebration, Con Alma reflects a period of deep introspection as we all grappled with an unprecedented historical moment. “Con Alma truly embodies the essence of lockdown,” she commented. “It captures the energy of contemplation and the quest to understand the chaos of that time.”
From this deep contemplation arose a message of optimism. “This latest album radiates luminosity. It’s about reconnection, celebrating each other, and embracing our shared humanity, which gives it a different kind of resonance,” she emphasized.
The journey of recording these deeply personal albums presented numerous hurdles, as Herrera described the logistical and conceptual challenges heightened by the pandemic.
“It was a daunting task because I wanted this album to exude celebration; I envisioned a grand sound. This led me to include my jazz quartet along with an orchestra, which turned out to be quite a considerable production. Additionally, we began recording at the end of 2021, a time when COVID outbreaks were rampant, and team members were consistently getting sick and testing positive,” she disclosed.
Despite these interruptions and trials, she proudly commended the resilience of her team and the impactful album that emerged from it.
Alongside her performance schedule, Herrera dedicates a significant amount of time to teaching, a passion she has nurtured for 25 years at Mannes School of Music in New York and various institutions around the globe. She loves sharing her expertise in vocal technique and songwriting with both vocalists and instrumentalists, drawing immense inspiration from the vibrant energy of the next generation of musicians.
“It’s incredibly inspiring, as young musicians reawaken your memories of your initial fascination with music and that raw desire for discovery that sometimes diminishes over time,” she shared enthusiastically.
Through her teaching experiences, Herrera has come to realize that music serves as a universal language, transcending the cultural barriers that divide us.
“I’ve had the privilege of teaching in many diverse locations—ranging from India to Mexico to the United States and Singapore. To me, the most remarkable aspect of this experience is that, despite our varied cultural backgrounds, the curiosity inherent in young musicians remains consistent,” she noted.
For Herrera, teaching is not just about instruction; it is an opportunity for a mutual exchange of energy and ideas, allowing her students to enlighten her on fresh approaches to music, something she finds immensely rewarding.
Looking ahead to January 2025, Herrera is gearing up for an exciting new venture: a role in an opera at the Met Cloisters in New York titled Primero Sueño. It’s a collaboration with director Louisa Proske and composer Paola Prestini, inspired by the renowned 17th-century Spanish poem by Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz. This ambitious project, commissioned by the Met, aims to visually interpret one of the most significant literary masterpieces of the Hispanic Baroque.
Herrera expressed her excitement to bring this remarkable work to life, recognizing it as a vital piece of Spanish and feminist literature.
“It’s an incredible adventure, distinctly different from anything I’ve done before,” she expressed with enthusiasm. “Presenting this at The Cloisters at the Met is truly extraordinary. I feel fortunate to represent the genius and spirit behind Sor Juana, who is not very widely recognized in the United States. This opportunity positions me as an ambassador for one of the most innovative feminists of the Baroque era, whose impact resonates universally through her remarkable contributions.”
Primero Sueño is scheduled for performances at the Met in late January and will subsequently travel to several other cities across the United States, Mexico, and beyond.
As an artist engaged in numerous endeavors alongside her teaching commitments, Herrera emphasizes the importance of maintaining balance and being authentic about her own limits, particularly as the years pass.
“The foundation of consistency in one’s work and life lies in your habits,” she explained thoughtfully. “What you cultivate in your daily routine becomes crucial, especially while navigating the challenges associated with being on the road, which often disrupts your established patterns.”
Habits such as eating healthily, ensuring adequate sleep, practicing meditation, and yoga allow Herrera to return to her center when she’s home in New York.
“It’s a continual struggle for me, as my mind is often racing with thoughts and things to do,” she acknowledged. “Therefore, I must remind myself that it’s perfectly acceptable to embrace the flow of life as it comes.”
Herrera considers it a continual journey of self-discovery. “What brings you balance today may differ in a month or even ten years. It’s essential to regularly check in with yourself regarding what fosters harmony within your body, mind, and spirit.”
Magos Herrera is set to perform this Thursday, November 7th, at Evanston SPACE, located at 1245 Chicago Ave. Doors will open at 6:30 PM. Tickets are priced between $20 and $30 and can be purchased at evanstonspacemusic.com.
Is still felt today. I hope that this performance will inspire greater awareness of her work and the significance of her narratives.”
**Interview with Magos Herrera**
**Editor:** Magos, it’s a pleasure to have you here! You’re gearing up for your first performance in Evanston this Thursday. What are your expectations for this show?
**Magos Herrera:** Thank you! I’m genuinely excited about this performance. Engaging with a new audience is always a joy, and I’ve heard wonderful things about SPACE. The intimate setting will allow me to connect deeply with the crowd, which I truly cherish.
**Editor:** Your latest album, *Aire*, is full of timeless themes. Can you share how the pandemic influenced its creation?
**Magos Herrera:** The pandemic was a time of deep reflection for many of us. Most of the songs on *Aire* were written during that period, encapsulating the emotions of gratitude, togetherness, and the realization of life’s impermanence. It’s about transforming our experiences into something hopeful and radiant.
**Editor:** Is there a particular song from the album that resonates most with you?
**Magos Herrera:** Yes! The inclusion of “Alfonsina y el Mar” holds a special place in my heart. It represents not just an ending but a transformation—a poignant reminder that even after loss, we can emerge into something new.
**Editor:** You also teach music at Mannes and other institutions. How does this experience enrich your own artistry?
**Magos Herrera:** Teaching young musicians reawakens my own passion and curiosity for music. Their fresh perspectives and energy inspire me immensely and create a beautiful exchange where we learn from each other.
**Editor:** Looking towards the future, you have an opera in the works titled *Primero Sueño* at the Met Cloisters. What can you tell us about that project?
**Magos Herrera:** It’s an exhilarating venture! It’s a collaboration that draws from the profound work of Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz. Presenting her story in such a prestigious venue is an honor, and I hope it opens avenues for greater appreciation of her contributions to literature and feminism.
**Editor:** Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us, Magos. We look forward to an incredible performance in Evanston!
**Magos Herrera:** Thank you for having me! I can’t wait to share my music and connect with everyone.
