Magda Sanchez: She grew up listening to Guns N’ Roses, naturally
PUEDES LEER ESTE POST EN ESPAÑOL.
My editor had a last-minute request. She wanted a feature on Magda Sanchez, a Latin artist in Louisville, Kentucky. I take months or years to develop many of my stories so for this one to pop up only two weeks before the deadline was stressful.
When I asked for the story scope, the editor responded: “Each of the features we’re doing should give us some background about the artist and talk about the work they do and want to do. We’re trying to highlight a few local artists that are a bit under the radar.”
I wasn’t sure I could do Magda justice with that kind of turnaround time. What’s crazy is that the article that resulted is easily in my top five favorites of all time. Magda’s story is so different from most of the artists and musicians I’ve spoken with. Her background stands out as unique.
Imagine you live in Holguín, Cuba. You’re a child. You’re at the dinner table rice, beans, and roast pork are served. You’re surrounded by your extended family and someone turns on the music. It’s Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses.
Wait, what?
Yeah, that was the case for Magda. Her father’s incredible CD selection included a deep catalog of American favorites, and knowing those songs would come in handy.
Magda, all lit up as a child, and surrounded by family.
At the age of 20, she and her band, which came to be known as Vista Cuba, were scouted and offered a year-long contract to perform 6 days a week at a posh hotel in Wuhan, China. Along with Zolgema, Alberto, and Patricia, she left everything she knew and started a new life.
“We played a lot of English songs, you know, like classics. Pop songs and rock songs. Time After Time by Cindy Lauper. We’re Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister. Fields of Gold by Sting. Patience by Guns N’ Roses.”
The management team that brought Magda & Co. to China wanted songs in English to dominate their sets, which might have been problematic for some artists, but not for her.
With songs like these being part of her childhood repertoire, Magda settled in quickly.
“I just chose the songs that I like and that I knew that the people were gonna like,” she said.
She had to be on her game. Four 45-minute sets per night, with the first one starting at 7:15 pm and the last one ending at 11:15 pm – that was the deal and Magda dug deep to fulfill.
There’s nothing like performing for a live audience frequently to up your game. You get good fast, and no, “good” is not subjective. It is not reliant on the audience, yet it is attentive to the audience.
It’s demanding work, with little wiggle room for distractions or escape. If you are weighed down by persistent problems, there might be trouble. If you don’t love performing more than anything, you won’t last long. This is a total commitment.
Magda has not only lasted, she has grown.
Her Louisville producer Fred Bogert saw Magda perform last year and was taken aback: “She was dressed in white and she just took off. She directed the audience’s attention to Teddy on the piano and Tito on the trombone for a solo and this and that. She just drove the bus, in terms of leadership, and knowledge of how to handle an audience. She has that intuitive sense that you can’t teach. She’s a true performer.”
I would liken her to Taylor Swift, whose stellar touring musicians have noted her exemplary musicality and leadership on stage. Like her or not, her ability to create a deeply felt concert experience is undeniable. She sheds any armor and exists purely in the music, for the sake of the music.
Magda does this, too. Every performance is more attuned, more robust in one way or another.
Are you wondering how, after growing up in Cuba and a year-long stint in China, Magda landed in Louisville, Kentucky? You’ll find the story here in English. My one regret was that the story wasn’t translated by the publication into Spanish, Thanks to Magda, who sent me a translation this week, now it can be read in Spanish here.
“I am very excited to know that the Latino community will be able to read these stories that are full of interesting adventures. It is an excellent opportunity to connect with the Hispanic public and for them to have easy access to what is happening in the city,” said Magda.
For the past few decades, a steadily growing stream of immigrants have moved from Holguín province to Louisville. Why? Louisville’s government has exerted efforts to attract immigrants, making the city welcoming with free ESL classes and immigrant outreach programs. Plus, there’s work. Large companies needing workers have opened their doors.
The most significant factor might be relationships. Cubans who have moved to Louisville tell their friends and family back home that it’s a good place to be.
After spending years in Louisville, Magda is about to embark on a new journey. She is moving to Orlando, Florida, in January of 2023. Why?
“I’m looking for new opportunities, new audiences, new experiences,” she said.
