Creative Spotlight | Luis Reys
Published on 19 July 2024
Tell us a bit about who you are and what kind of creative work you make.
I’m a musician and music teacher with over 20 years of experience. My creative work in the past few years revolves around my project called "Music es un Voyage”, which is a global musical exploration initiative I embarked on to connect with diverse musicians and understand their cultural soundscapes. Over the past 7 years, I have travelled to 31 countries, engaging with more than 200 local musicians through jams, interviews, and collaborative video performances. This project aims to document and celebrate the rich tapestry of global music, and it played a crucial role in the creation of my EP, “The Enjoyner”.
Whereabouts do you look for creative ideas? Who or what inspires you?
I draw creative ideas from my travels and interactions with musicians worldwide. Exploring diverse cultures and their unique musical expressions is a constant source of inspiration. The multicultural vibrancy of Sydney deeply inspired me and played a crucial role in sparking my curiosity about global music traditions. The city's rich musical diversity ignited a passion in me to explore how different cultures express themselves through music. “Music es un Voyage” became the perfect avenue to merge my love for travel and music. By immersing myself in various musical traditions, I aimed to broaden my perspective and bring those unique experiences into my own compositions. Influences from various genres and the profound experiences of making music with artists from different backgrounds fuel my creativity.
How does your personal history, culture, or experience inform your creative work?
My Brazilian heritage and extensive career as a guitarist and music teacher shape my musical identity. Growing up immersed in Brazilian music and later exploring global sounds through my travels has enriched my compositions. Living in Australia for nearly a decade, completing my master’s degree in music composition and teaching music in Sydney were pivotal experiences that diversified my musical influences. Each encounter through “Music es un Voyage” contributes to a fusion of traditional and contemporary styles in my work.
What is a creative project that you’ve worked on that you’re really proud of? Why?
I’m incredibly proud of the YouTube channel for my project “Music es un Voyage”. It documents amazing moments, such as meeting a band in Finland that translates Brazilian songs from the 70s into finish language, a 103-year-old musician in Mozambique who was the creator of one of their traditional rhythms, jamming with and interviewing a lead young female artist in Qatar and the voice of the 2022 Soccer World Cup, among many others that you can find in the channel. Each of these experiences not only enriched my musical perspective but also deepened my understanding of the power of music in connecting people across cultures. It also inspired the creation of my EP “The Enjoyner”. This instrumental album is a reflection of my encounters, blending influences from experimental jazz, Brazilian music, and rock.
What has been the highlight of your creative career so far?
As a musician, a highlight was performing a few songs of the Brazilian Bossa Nova master Antonio Carlos Jobim at Sydney’s iconic Opera House in 2017. This experience symbolised a bridge between my Brazilian roots and my journey in Australia, celebrating the fusion of my cultural heritage with the multicultural influences that have shaped my music. It was a moment that encapsulated my growth as an artist and my exploration of global music.
Where can we find out more about your work and get in touch?
Youtube: www.youtube.com/musicesunvoyage
Website: www.luisreys.com
Instagram: @music_es_un_voyage