Vero Soffia is a passionate songwriter deeply influenced by Latin American folklore. She also brings the learning of a master’s degree in Cultural-Biology to the understanding of how humans function and navigate the world. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to exploring cultural transformation and the change of perspective: a goal that led to the core tool of improvisation.
Folklore has always held a special place in Vero’s heart as it provides insights into our origins, while creativity shows us the possibilities of where we can go. She believes that music improvisation connects us with our true selves and allows us to tap into our collective potential. Over the past four years, she has been actively involved in group improvisation and collective creations. Initially, Vero offered freelance workshops, but she now serves as an invited teacher at the prestigious arts school of Teatro del Lago, the leading theater in the southern regions of Chile.
Two years ago, Vero decided to relocate to Chile’s countryside in search of a connection with the country’s traditions, forests, and their inherent wisdom. Inspired by her new surroundings, she formed a band of exceptional improvisational musicians who share her passion for teaching. Together, they offer a unique blend of improvisation techniques and Chilean folklore. Join Vero Soffia and her talented band on a mesmerising musical journey that fuses Latin American folklore with a contemporary pop sensibility. Through their enchanting performances, they invite listeners to explore their own cultural heritage, embrace creativity, and embark on a shared voyage of self-discovery.
Take an alphorn: a traditional instrument with severely limited melodic possibilities. Add a didgeridoo and shells and trombones. Add even more alphorns. Observe how the harmonic possibilities grow when various horns are played simultaneously. The Alphorn comes alive, blending seamlessly with the other original instruments, creating new modes of expression.
Zürihorn was founded in 1999 by three professionally educated musicians. They bring influences from jazz and African and European music, giving the alphorn a new spirit beyond traditional folk music. They play original pieces with an improvised character, enabling them to communicate, interact, and include the audience on their way to unknown places.
They have released 2 CDs on a major swiss label, with “Wanderlust” being a top-ten-of-the-year pick by the New York City Jazz Record. WMDF’s location on the foothills of Mount Hakodate will be a spectacular place to witness this project to renew the alpine music of the mountains of Switzerland.
The ensemble ‘Sazgen Sazy’ was founded in 1981 under the Republican Museum of Kazakh national folk instruments. With the goal of promoting the sense of richness and flavour of the folk music of the steppe, its members are constantly seeking new approaches and re-imaginings of ancient musical instruments.
The range of Kazakh national instruments is wide (the sybyzghy, zhetyghen, sherter, and saz syrnai; the ancient and almost forgotten adyrna, sazghen, and narkobyz), so each ensemble member is adept at multiple traditions. The ensemble has performed worldwide, showcasing their graceful artistic skills in embroidered and tailored costumes drawing on the rich history of a long national heritage.
