Archetypes are the Universal Language

In this episode of Migration Music, Han Chen speaks with composer, pianist, and vocalist Clarice Assad about her Archetypes project, which illustrates types of characters that pop up in cultures all around the world.

In addition to Assad’s music, the two discuss Assad’s musical upbringing as the daughter of guitarist Sérgio Assad. She remembers her family members would each practice music 24 hours per day, and she’d absorb it all and write her own works. She’d travel to Europe with her musician father, eventually moving to the United States, where she’s lived here ever since.

The two also discuss her life and musical influences from Brazil as well as some of the digital performances she’s been putting together throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Performance of The Hero from Archetypes was recorded on Sep 25, 2021, in New York by Simon Kanzler.