Meet Ángela Varo Moreno

We recently connected with Ángela Varo Moreno and have shared our conversation below.

Ángela, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

For me, creativity is just another part of daily life. Growing up in a culture as full of life and expression as the Andalusian one, creativity is found precisely on routine. Is how we speak, is the way our Andalusian language and its characteristic metaphors are built, our character, is Flamenco, and also our life experiences and values. It is when you see that creativity is as divine as it is human that you begin to make it and see it as an everyday thing. It is then that creativity becomes just a matter of time, action, and love.
I think that our role as artists, in order to ultimately respect culture, art, music, and their stories, is to detach ourselves from the “ownership” of said art and music. We are simply messengers of something much bigger than us. When judgment and ego are out of the picture, it is then, in my opinion, that creativity, at its purest form, appears

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

My name is Ángela Varo Moreno, and I am a violinist and composer from Baena, a town in Andalusia. I am based in Boston, where I work as a performer, composer, and educator. I grew up in a musical family, surrounded by opera and flamenco, so music and the expression of my heritage have always been my main way of expression. My music is a fusion of jazz, Romani, and flamenco violin.

I moved from my small town to the States in 2019, where I had the privilege to study at Berklee College of Music thanks to full scholarships from Berklee and the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation. They made my dream a reality. In 2022, I graduated with a double degree in contemporary writing and production, and jazz performance, along with a minor in jazz composition. I also completed in 2023 the master’s degree from the Global Jazz Institute Program, directed by my dear mentor, Panamanian pianist and composer, Danilo Pérez.

I continue working with many people that I deeply admire, including the Grammy-nominated band Danilo Perez’s Global Jazz Messengers and the Andalusian electronic-flamenco fusion group, Califato 3/4. One of my main goals is to explore and interconnect traditional music from my heritage and background (Romani, Andalusian, Mediterranean) with the world and heritage of Jazz or Global Jazz – as a way to explore the interconnections between those worlds and create a bridge between traditional and contemporary experiences.

One of the projects I am the most excited about is debut album, “Dançâ del Aire” (Dances of the Air), coming out in October 2024 under the label Habitable Records. The intention of this project is to guide the listener through an immersive journey, complemented by an international ensemble of musicians, global jazz and flamenco influences, and captivating stories. It also aims to bring attention to the importance of preserving Andalusian culture. This auditory experience weaves together the threads of Andalusian identity and experiences, and the universal journey of migration.

At the heart of “Dançâ del Aire” lies a profound mission—to unfurl the vibrant tapestry of Andalusian stories and culture to this world. This musical journey transcends boundaries, interweaving flamenco, global jazz, and Mediterranean music.
“Dançâ del Aire” is a celebration of cultural unity and emigration, and a testament to the power of music to bridge worlds and share the stories that connect us all.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are deeply influenced by my family and surroundings. My grandfathers became emigrants during the Spanish postwar period, my mother later emigrated back to Andalusia, and I too had to become an emigrant. These experiences have shaped my values profoundly.

Firstly, a strong sense of pride in my identity, combined with genuine curiosity and respect for other experiences, has been vital and has help me foster exploration.
Then , kindness, politeness, and empathy are essential traits that I strive to embody daily—whether as a woman, musician, or older sister. Lastly, continue falling in love with the process everyday and try to understand the world I live in.
As a jazz musician, playing with people I admire and I love is a true blessing. The fun of it all, combined with the joy of learning and being creative, is what makes this journey so rewarding. It is important to cultivate a strong work ethic and embrace discipline, as it reflects respect for oneself, one’s culture and ancestors, and others.

For those starting out, my advice is to fall in love with the process. Enjoy every moment of learning and growing, and let that passion drive you. If you truly enjoy the journey, everything will fall into place. The opportunity to do what I love every day is something I cherish deeply, and I encourage everyone to trust in their path, work hard, and embrace the fun of it all. Being kind to yourself and those around you will make the journey happen.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

Definitely my mother, Kiki. She is an incredibly intelligent, strong, and creative woman. In the large family that she was born on, my mother was the first in our entire bloodline to attend school and earn a university degree. Imagine this from the perspective of a daughter of Andalusian emigrants during Fascist Spain. My grandma, for example, happen to be extremely intelligent women – but sadly illiterate due to the circumstances she grow up in. So my mother’s achievements were a source of immense pride for my grandparents, and she has instilled that same belief in my two younger brothers and me.

From a day-to-day perspective, my mother has taught me invaluable lessons that have shaped and continuing shaping who I am. She has educated me about feminism, equality, history, politics, our culture, language, and art and beliefs in my home kitchen. As well of how to love food, cooking, pure form of “acts of servings” as a love language – which is a huge part of our Andalusian identity, all of this while sharing the stories of those who came before us. Her example inspires me to strive to be a better women, and she embodies what one of my dear mentors and musicians that admire the most, Terri Lyne Carrington, describes as a “Shy Warrior.”

My mother demonstrates that hard work’s reward isn’t always tangible but is found in the joy of the process itself and – sometimes also in enjoying a meal made with the best olive oil in the world. (Proudly made in my town)

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Image Credits

David Perez Pictures
Ken Jin

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