The Jazz Philanthropists Union presents…

Kat Parra, vocal;
Mas Koga, saxophone;
Murray Low, piano;
Aaron Germain, bass

In addition to singing fluently in English, Spanish and Portuguese, Kat Parra sings also in the dying language of Ladino, or Judeo-Espanyol, which enables her to interpret Sephardic music (Music of the Spanish Jews) faithfully. “This is the language of the Spanish Jews, an antiquated form of Castilian that also includes words from Hebrew, Arabic, Turkish and many other languages. It is an amalgamation of the Sephardic Diaspora, and it is my small way of helping to preserve this language. It is still spoken, but in very few places and mainly by the older generations in Turkey, Israel and in homes across the globe.”

http://katparra.com/musica/

Masaru Koga is a young Japanese-American saxophonist of extraordinary sensitivity and power; pianist Murray Low has been a key player in Latin and jazz music in this region for decades; Aaron Germain travels the world and its musics as one born to the task.

Parra has leapt beyond the boundaries of the typical Latin jazz singer. With her thirst for the exploration of myriad world rhythms and tonalities, she has developed a style of music that encompasses sounds that transcend and bend the stereotypical definition of Latin jazz. She has incorporated not only Afro-Cuban music, but also Afro-Peruvian, Middle Eastern, South American folklore, and Nueva Trova. With this multi-lingual and multi-musical approach, Parra is able to captivate her audiences with exciting and vibrant World and Latin music.