Abel Rocha will never forget attending his first concerts as a child. The music gave him a new perspective of the world. Now, as a musician himself, he hopes to inspire people in the same way.
Rocha sings and plays the harp, guitar and cuatro in Correo Aereo, a Seattle-based Latin/world band, that blends a cultural and musical experience. The duo will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, at the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, 565 Camano Ave, Langley.
“We always try to expand that possibility of inspiring people and letting people see the other styles of music,” he said.
The multi-instrumental and vocal duo performs traditional music of Latin America, with sounds from Venezuela, Argentina and Mexico, along with their own original music. The band performs as part of the center’s family series and aims to celebrate cultural connections with people of all ages.
For Rocha, he always has a good experience performing for children.
“Many times they are more sensitive than adults, I guess that’s human nature,” he said. “Their senses are more awakened.”
Madeleine Sosin, who sings and plays violin, maracas, bombo and jarana in Correo Aereo, said music is a powerful way to connect with other people.
“Music penetrates you with every molecule in your body,” she said.
Sound is delivered through the air not just into your ears, she said, which is a thought that resonates with their name, Correo Aereo, Spanish for air mail.
The duo also works with schools to perform in interactive assemblies. Through music and storytelling, the band helps students learn skills such as language, geography, history and culture.
“It’s our job to help each other unlock the genius within,” she said. “It involves all kinds of art, culture, expression and ways of learning, but they all are connected,” she said.
She said she hopes to share meaning and give depth to people through her music.
“You don’t have to speak Spanish to resonate with the music and understand,” she said. “People are going to resonate with it in some amazing, creative way.”
Tickets for the evening performance cost $15 for adults and $12 for youths.
