The Sefira ensemble, comprised of vocalists Sofia Rei, Malika Zarra, Sachal Vasandani and percussionists Mathias Kunzli and Keita Ogawa, was created by three singers with entirely different backgrounds, and celebrates the human voice at its most naked and potentially influential -- improvised, original composition performed by only voices and percussion. The unique format draws upon the creative, improvisatory force of all participating musicians.

The songs that comprise the ensemble's repertoire center upon lyrics and sounds which are both original and synthesize the backgrounds of the members. Utilizing strong melodies, the songs showcase the vocalists' range, timbre and  musical heritage. Lyrically tending towards the word painting and wordless, these pieces serve as bookends and hems for the interplay between singers & percussionists, and are not confined to one topic or experience. With a significant focus on ensemble improvisation, the song nevertheless ties together with harmonic and rhythmic motifs stated and varied during several moments of the pieces. 

Each of the singers represents not simply traditions, be they jazz, North African, or Latin American, but a current flowing to the present, molding their sounds and improvisations to one another, within the context of each piece. The two percussionists provide a foil for the singers' timbre with rich texture and a strong rhythmic energy.

Scroll down for the members' bios and links.

 Sefira by lilihousemusic

 Booking enquiries: lilihouse@lilihouseagency.com

Malika Zarra:
French-Moroccan singer/composer/producer Malika Zarra is a multicultural shape-shifter, an enchantress who leaps effortlessly between seemingly unconnected languages and traditions, uniting them while utilizing each to further enrich the others. The exotically beautiful artist with the velvety, sinuous mezzo-soprano voice has demonstrated a rare ability to communicate both powerful and subtle ideas and feelings in Berber, Moroccan Arabic, French and English now a much-in-demand headliner at concert halls and festivals the world over. Her second album, Berber Taxi, was released on Motema Records in the US and Europe. Berber Taxi and Malika have been praised by John Zorn, CNN International, NPR Radio, Jazz Times, The Guardian UK and many more. Malika’s summer touring has taken her to festivals across Europe ending with the Chicago World Music Festival, and the Chicago Sun Times show. Read all about Malika on malikazarra.com
 
Sofia Rei: 
Sofia Rei is one of New York’s most passionate, charismatic and inventive vocalists. Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, her project is grounded in traditional South American rhythms such as chacarera, zamba and vidala from Argentina, Afro-Peruvian festejo and lando, Afro-Uruguayan candombe, Colombian cumbia and bullerengue and other genres that merge involving jazz harmonies, electronic sounds and rich improvisations. Singing in Spanish, Portuguese or English, Sofia's voice is so graceful as sophisticated, tying together diverse influences in a program full of rhythmic complexity, melody and romance. Sube Azul, her second album as a leader, released in the US and Europe early 2011 by the World Village (Harmonia Mundi) label, has received excellent reviews from The New York Times, Downbeat Magazine, The Latin Jazz Corner, who also granted her the Best Latin Jazz Vocalist of 2009 Award. Sube Azul also won theIndependent Music Award in the World Beat category. Full story on sofiamusic.com

Sachal Vasandani:
Sachal recently released his third album for the Mack Avenue label,  Hi-Fly, to great acclaim. It immediately climbed to #1 on the iTunes Jazz Chart, #1 on Jazz Radionationwide, and was a #1 Mover & Shaker item on Amazon.com.  Produced by John Clayton, Hi-Fly features Sachal and his core group,  plus guests John Ellis (sax), Ambrose Akinmusire (trumpet) and  the legendary vocal master Jon Hendricks on two tracks.JazzTimes'  review of the record lauds Sachal as "fully formed, among the foremost post-millenial male vocalists", and Downbeat Magazine's recent 3.5-star review described Sachal's voice as "Clean and clear, it glides with an accessible assurance". He has been profiled recently on National Public Radio (All Things Considered, Song of the Day), GQ, MTV and in print, radio & television in the US & around the world. Read more on sachalvasandani.com

Mathias Kunzli:

Hailing from Switzerland, multi-disciplined drummer/percussionist Mathias Kunzli has become ubiquitous in the New York City music scene. He can be found most every night of the week in some of Manhattan and Brooklyn’s finest concert venues, performing in a variety of styles, with artists and bands of many genres. Kunzli has appeared in some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls and festivals including Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Montreal Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival and many more. As a drummer and percussionist he has had the chance to collaborate with an impressive and varied list of virtuosic and renown artists including Moby, Lauryn Hill, Yo-Yo Ma Silk Road Project, Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, Vieux Farka Toure, Oscar Castro-Neves, Gary Brown, Randy Brecker, Bob Berg, Marc Ribot, John Zorn’s Electric Masada, Alessandra Belloni, Bobby Watson and many more. Full info on mathiaskunzli.com

Keita Ogawa:

Hailing from Nagasaki, Japan, Keita moved to the US and initially studied at the prestigious Berklee College of Music before immersing himself into Brazilian percussion for 3 months in Rio de Janeiro. Since his arrival in the US, Keita has performed with some of the biggest names in modern music including Danilo Perez, George Duke, Dominick Farinacci, Cyro Baptista, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Gretchen Parlato, Eric Harland, Tiger Okoshi, John Lockwood, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra and more. In spite of his youth, Keita has set an example for the next generation of world-class musicians. Keita's passion for crossing musical borders and uniting differences in cultures is a rare talent which he exhibits with a smile and an open heart. keitaogawa.com