By Felecia Ford
Born in Mexico City and currently based out of New York City, Magos Herrera is a dazzling jazz singer-songwriter, producer, and educator.
I was lucky enough to have seen Magos perform in San Miguel de Allende at the beautiful Teatro Angela Peralta, to an enthusiastic and very packed house. Earlier, the year before, my hubby and I attended an eclectic multimedia production produced by Magos that featured her one-of-a-kind vocal stylings throughout - a choir of angelic measures along with her very talented orchestra. That concert was for a fortunate 350 people on private land in the city. I was in awe of what they all had created together, collectively. Magos has also performed a free concert for the city in front of the Parroquia at the JardÃn… a very prestigious invitation. This town knows how to show up for its musical events and Magos Herrera was welcomed with open arms.
I was very happy to connect with Magos Herrera for this special Insider’s News Music Spotlight interview. While she is touring a lot in support of her new album release ‘Aire’, she is also busy writing an opera with Paola Prestini, both being commissioned by the NY MET to write and then perform it in 2025 Metropolitan Opera season. I had to reach out to Magos before her San Miguel show in August.
FF: Magos, what are you working on next in San Miguel de Allende?
MH: During the month of July 2024 the whole crew for the MET project will be rehearsing together for the first time in San Miguel. This will give them a feel for the beauty and sights and sounds of Mexico as inspiration for the production’s rehearsals and for when they perform together at the MET in 2025. I will play the role of Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz in the piece, ‘Primero Sueño’. Currently, in August 24, I will have a concert in San Miguel de Allende at the World Music Festival in Teatro Angela Peralta. I will be part of a duo concert with Femeninas pianist Ed Simon. Femeninas celebrates singers and writers from Latin America.
FF:Â It will be a beautiful night, not to be missed. When did you first start singing professionally?
MH: I started performing professionally almost 3 decades ago. It’s been almost 25 years since my first album release.
FF:Â I loved reading your bio on your website and learned so much about you and all you have managed to do in those 30 years. In fact, I learned that you are an experienced teacher as well as vocalist. Can you share some vocal wisdom with other musicians and vocalists who are just starting out?
MH:Â All vocalists are unique. We all have different natures, bodies and different chemistries and needs but something I know that works for everyone is technique. Technique is everything. Preparation is also very important. If you know your parts, it takes the stress out of your mind and body.
FF: What do you love about singing in San Miguel?
MH: I love San Miguel! It is a home away from home. It’s a place where I have spent many of my summers; since I was a child I would go to San Miguel with my parents. I love singing there because it gets me close to my friends there, to nature…it’s very healing for me. So every time I sing in San Miguel, it’s my way to give back for the well-being I feel when I’m there.
In May 2023 Magos Herrera released her eleventh album ‘Aire’ (Sunnyside Records) a celebration of our humanity and the healing power of music, featuring The Knights orchestra, her trio with Vinicius Gomes, Sam Minaie, Alex Kautz and guests Ingrid Jensen and Dori Caymmi with Magos original music and jewels from the Great Latin American Songbook with arrangements by Gonzalo Grau, Diego Schissi and Jaques Morelenbaum.
For more on Magos Herrera and her upcoming events please visitÂ
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