Tamborilero Expertly Mixes Uruguayan Tradition and Innovation

Valeria Matzner – Tamborilero (Lulaworld Records, 2023)

Valeria Matzner’s latest musical venture, Tamborilero (drummer in Spanish) intertwines her Uruguayan roots with a splash of contemporary jazz vibes. Picture this: measured and matured songwriting skills teamed up with a newfound perspective on her heritage as a Montevideo native who’s now making waves in Canada.

So, let’s dive into Tamborilero. Valeria Matzner, the Uruguayan-born singer-songwriter now calling Toronto home, takes us on a musical escapade that elegantly fuses Uruguayan candombe with the cool vibes of contemporary jazz. It’s like she’s painting a vibrant musical canvas that’s both nostalgic and refreshingly new.

Now, if you’re wondering about the artist behind this fusion, let me give you a sneak peek into Valeria Matzner. From the excitement of candombe and samba to the passion of tango, the grungy pop appeal of rock, and the improvisational heights of jazz; she’s like a musical chameleon, effortlessly combining genres with her own unique style.

Since making Canada her musical playground, Valeria Matzner has shared the stage with some heavy-hitters in the industry, Hilario Durán, Darren Sigesmund, Aleksandar Gajic, and more. Oh, and she’s not just a local sensation; she’s graced festivals from Vancouver to Tokyo and performed in cities like Buenos Aires, Montreal, and New York.

Before Tamborilero, Matzner’s debut solo album, Anima, won a Global Music Award.

Musicians: Valeria Matzner on vocals, compositions, lyrics; Scott Metcalfe on piano, keyboards, compositions, arrangements; Max Senitt on drums; Andrew Stewart on bass; Juan Carlos Medrano on percussion; Alexis Baro on trumpet; Aleksandar Gajic on violin; Rob Christian on flute; Christian Overton on trombone; Joseph Phillips on guitar; Andrés Magno on percussion: tambor piano; Daniel Magno on percussion: tambor chico; Gerardo Magno on percussion: tambor repique. Backing vocals: Eliana Cuevas, Jeremy Ledbetter.

Buy Tamborilero.