Corina Bartra stands as a vibrant musical force, known for her ability to navigate and blend vastly different soundscapes. From the complex rhythms of her Afro-Peruvian New Jazz Quartet to the spiritual resonance of indigenous music and the iconic energy of her Carlos Santana tribute, her work is a testament to a boundless creative spirit. Each project is ambitious, not only in its artistic vision but also in its collaborative scale, often involving large, diverse ensembles of talented musicians.
This unique position as a leader of multiple, distinct musical families raises a compelling question: How does one artist successfully manage the creative vision, logistics, and interpersonal dynamics of three concurrent and complex projects? It requires a blend of artistic direction, cultural sensitivity, and masterful coordination. We spoke with Corina Bartra to explore her approach to juggling these incredible musical endeavors and fostering harmony across genres and personalities.
Q: Your three main projects are incredibly distinct. How do you maintain a clear and separate artistic vision for the Santana tribute, your Afro-Peruvian jazz work, and your indigenous music project?
Corina Bartra: Believe me, it is not easy at all. Not only with setting out various music charts for so many musicians. Also, different arrangements for three distinct music projects. The other challenging issue is trying to deal with different venues. The fact is that marketing oneself as a multi-project artist is far more challenging. Sometimes I ask myself, why did I get into all this? I would have a much simpler life if I just stuck with one. It all comes of being true to myself by expressing my different creative aspects. The rewarding experience in all this complexity is the musical product that flows in the recordings and the appreciative audiences I find.
Q: All of your projects involve collaborating with a wide range of musicians. What is your philosophy on leading these large ensembles and ensuring everyone is aligned with the music’s goal?
Corina Bartra: Yes, the right question for the right time. I am in Berlin now and will present two of my musical projects, Afro-Peruvian New Trends Orchestra and Corina Bartra Sextet, in two different venues. I got musicians who worked with me before in Berlin who were inspired to work with me by the proposal of venturing into different grooves and rhythms. Furthermore, I have been coming to Berlin and sometimes to Hamburg since the year 2015. There are also new players who are inspired to participate after hearing my music. This is also inspiring to me as well. If I can show them a different world of sound than they are used to, it nurtures me as well.
Q: What are the biggest logistical or creative challenges you face when managing so many musicians, especially when you are fusing different cultural and musical traditions together?
Corina Bartra: Besides the financial challenge, it is helping them to give the right feel to the music. I understand for them playing a lando, festejo, or marinera with the right feel and swing is a challenge for them. The cajon player is very important in my band since he gives them the support to tune in to the right tempo and groove. Also my singing when I do so in my sextets or septets. I also play bongos and timbales. I can play the drum set too, but I’d rather play percussion, which I do more in the Afro-Peruvian New Trends Orchestra. My tunes or arrangements have sophisticated intros, interludes, and codas. Hence the musicians who play with me also have a sophisticated music perspective and resources. They not only have to be very good players but also good readers. I have also worked with other arrangers who have been inspired by my own arrangements to do theirs. They have also done a great job delving into tricky rhythms and melodies that dance with good heels.
Q: Leading three ambitious projects must require an immense amount of creative energy. How do you personally manage your focus and passion across these different musical worlds without feeling creatively drained?
Corina Bartra: It is funny you ask me that question. I live a life where I also have fun and enjoy trips to nature and the company of nice friends and hobbies.
I try to balance as best I can the challenge of leading three music projects, which are quite demanding, with living a life that is full and nurturing. Now when I am in Europe, for example, I also go to films, museums, and dinners. I also like to walk places I’ve never been before. Like many of us, I am on a quest to balance my life and tune in to my essence behind the complexities of my personality. In my house, my parents never supported me going into music. This caused a lot of problems for me in starting my singing, playing, and recording. I had to leave my country in a way to be far from a house that was not nurturing my musical life and causing so much psychological hardship. When I came to New York, I had to learn the hard way to free myself from all the insecurities I went through by living so many years in an unsupportive environment. I just wanted to express who I am through music and rhythm and here I am.
The work of Corina Bartra demonstrates that a musician’s role can extend far beyond performance and composition. To bring these large-scale, cross-cultural projects to life requires the skills of a conductor, a producer, and a cultural diplomat. It is a balancing act that involves honoring tradition while pushing creative boundaries, and managing individual talents to serve a collective vision. This approach transforms a musical group into a true collaborative community.
Ultimately, Bartra’s ability to seamlessly move between these different worlds showcases a profound understanding of music as a universal language. Her projects serve as powerful examples of how disparate sounds and traditions can be brought into dialogue, creating something new and resonant. She is not just a performer but a facilitator of musical conversations, building bridges between genres and inviting both musicians and audiences to explore the rich space where they connect.
For more information, visit: https://coribartra.com/