Only a few ensembles sum up the idea of a new Latin sound like La Brígida Orquesta. The Chilean big band (with a new EP, Antipoda, out via Aajabu!) which started to take shape in 2017 gathering musicians from (among the others) Conchalí Big Band, Mapocho Orchestra, Portavoz and Newen Afrobeat, reflects a wide range of influences, inspirations and trends inflaming the music scene of the South American country.

From jazz to hip-hop and afro-funk to contemporary classical music, La Brígida is a triumph of urban and popular sounds, with strong Latin accents. They were picked to perform at this year’s WOMEX in Lisbon, so to enjoy a sneak peek into their music and learn where it comes from, we reached out to them for the fourth episode of Musical Road to Womex.

Can you briefly introduce your music to someone who is going to listen to it for the first time at Womex?

We are a popular music orchestra, we use a traditional jazz orchestra formation but using a rapper as a frontman, we mix some jazz elements with the sounds of our place in the end of the world.

Who and what are your music influences and where does your sound come from? 

Chile is a country with a huge rap scene, hip hop culture has been part of the Chilean music scene since the late 80s, we mix that with the sound of old jazz greats such as Mingus, Miles or Thelonious with a modern twist. 

This Womex edition will happen in Lisbon. Have you ever been there and is there anything you are looking forward to doing/visiting/eating or drinking in the Portuguese capital?

We are an orchestra that has a certain love for good and abundant food, so we will be looking forward to trying some traditional Portuguese food, drinks and wines.

We are also looking forward to  going out to the beaches.

Womex is a unique opportunity to share and showcase your music with new people and let them know about your upcoming projects. Can you reveal to us some of your plans for the future?

In January we’re going to record our third studio album, an album that we are going to organise a local and an international tour for. We are eager to find new places to perform our music outside our country, expand our hearing territories and find more people  who are interested in being part of our universe of sound. 

Let’s say that you have to draft an invitation card for our readers to join you at Womex and enjoy your showcase. What would you write in it?

Be very welcome to the unique but not exclusive world of La Brígida Orquesta, the table is set and the show is about to begin.

- La Brígida Orquesta will be performing on the Coliseum Stage 
on Saturday 22nd from 00:00 till 00:45AM -

You can find all the previous episodes of Musical Road to Womex HERE