Sonya Vallet and Profugos Galacticos

Sonya Vallet and Los Prófugos GalácticosThe best kept secret in town…that's what friends call her. When Baltimore native Sonya Vallet improvises in any style people wonder who she gets if from. The cross-cultured quadrilingual eldest of a musical family, she debuted at 16 in her father's quartet opening for jazz master Oscar Peterson as the only woman at the 1st Jazz Festival of Madrid. It was followed by an offer to teach vocals at The Taller de Músicos at 19 and an honorable letter of recommendation from The Spanish Ministry of Culture at 22.Decades of experience show when you hear her speak. She worked and studied with the likes of gospel legend Donna Hightower, Brazilian genius Fernando Girão, Japanese diva Monday Michiru, world beat virtuoso Danny Heines, and jazz bass masters Ron Carter and Jimmy Haslip. Sonya is a tireless student: Music Certificate from Naropa Institute, Music Major credits from The City College of New York, and continued studies in Business Management at The University of Maryland. She translates for The Office of Veterans Affairs and interprets for The Department of Labor on the side.Sonya has mused with her original poems and compositions to sculpt a unique repertoire for Los Prófugos Galácticos, her new collaboration with pianist Erik Deutsch. Featuring Bill Kopper on guitar, the ensemble explores world beat jazz with pop and electronic undertones (think Bebel Gilberto meets Portishead and Joni Mitchell.) The group has begun work on their first record and continues to impress audiences that experience the live show."My main drive comes from vocal improvisation, but I dabble on piano, percussion, guitar, paint or draw in phases, and I still want to dance!" she says. She won the Vincent Herbert Award by envisioning a school of arts "for all ages and levels of talent". Convinced it will take a few scientists to fully discover the true medicine of sound, ("Ellington said it was God's language!") this playful professional knows music is the best healing for everyone. Her joy for music will touch your soul. She's the best kept secret in town.