July/August 1999

Corina Bartra
Son Zumbon
Blue Spiral

By Marcela Breton

Bartra is a Peruvian-born vocalist whose singing is influenced by Afro-Peruvian music, American jazz, and the scatting of Brazilian singer Tania Maria. Backed by a sextet that includes the passionate tenor of Peter Brainin, Bartra interprets eight Latin numbers and the standard "On Green Dolphin Street." She sings in Spanish and English and does lots of vocalese too. "Balan Todas las Razas" features Perico Diaz on the traditional Peruvian cajon.