Founded as a creative expression/experiment by trombonist Viva Msimang, COLECTIVA makes space for female and non-binary identifying musicians to come together and collaborate in a new dynamic, free from traditional hierarchical structures, and free from the Male Gaze.
Exploring notions of sisterhood through their shared creative practice, the collective empower themselves and their audiences alike.
Under The features Sarah Wackett (flute), Poppy Daniels (trumpet), Deanna Wilhelm (trumpet), Viva Msimang (trombone), Luisa Santiago (keys), Maria Grapsa (original composition, keys), Alley Lloyd (bass), Lilli Elina (congas, percussion), Lya Guerrero (drums).
This formidable lineup met organically playing together in bands, sessions and jams, and collectively have played and collaborated with the likes of Los Van Van, Dayramir Gonzales, Brenda Navarrete, Sampa The Great, Anjelique Kidjo, Laura Misch, Little Simz, Camilo Azuquita, Dengue Dengue Dengue, Scrimshire, Yazmin Lacey, The Cure.
Biography:
COLECTIVA explore the spaces between Afro-Latin music and Jazz while reflecting on themes of sisterhood and female empowerment.
Blending wild horn lines with Afro-Latin groove and experimental textures, COLECTIVA’s thoughtful arrangements are rooted in the sounds of Africa, Latin America and the diaspora, creating a genre the group have affectionately dubbed jazz tropicaliente (hot-tropical-jazz).
Their debut single, “Under The“, written in collaboration with jazz pianist Maria Grapsa and released in April 2021, received huge global radio plays and DJ support from the likes of Huey Morgan and Jamz Supernova on 6 Music, Jazz FM’s Chris Philips and Tim Garcia, and Toshiro Matsuura and Papaoul on Worldwide FM, amongst many others.
Premiering on Sounds and Colours magazine, the track was supported by Women in Jazz, and was playlisted on Spotify playlists including Music is My Sanctuary’s Jazz – Future Classics, and Colectivo Futuro’s Music Worth Sharing.
2022 is set to be a pivotal year for the project, as they gear up for 2 more single releases with visuals, infusing feminist activism in their campaigns.
Winners of the Latin UK Awards, ‘Best Alternative Act 2019 and Yolanda Drake Award 2021.
