Meet Iraida Noriega | Musician, Singer, composer, producer and educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Iraida Noriega and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Iraida, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
Being a jazz singer, improvisation has become a philosophical idea and basis for me.Nothing to me is ever a given as is in improv. Therefore to me it´s always about the present moment. What do I have right now. What can I create with what I have, and what do I have to give. Improv implies being less scared to make mistakes, and having more wit to make the best connections possible. And it also implies trying out possibilities regardless of the outcome. Based on this idea, there´s always a gain in every step of the way.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Wow…. well… i guess what sets me apart is that i have sort defined myself in undefinition.. jojojo…. I just create the music and other expressions, whethere it´s books or videos or whatever from whatever i feel i am needing to say in the moment, and use whatever is available to me to be able to do it…… i have also kind of defined myself by being an independent artist…. i have never really wanted to sacrifice any of my work because someone else put money in and therefore has an idea of who i should be. I have never really been a designer of strategies… i have done whatever felt right regardless of sucess (whatever that means) or not.. in other words, i´ve done what felt right at the moment, and some works have had more echo than others but that hasn´t really defined anything for me. I guess that is what i am most proud of… that and my son!!! he is a lovely young man, and a lovely musician and singer as wel.. and i am truly happy that today we are sharing music on and off stage. Lessons i´ve learned…. ufff…… i guess what i said earlier, nothing should be taken for granted….. and there are no real plans… life is always changing and i guess our capacity to change and adapt is what makes life lighter and more enjoyable. I have no brand… i am just me doing what i feel i have to do…. story….. will sound like a huge cliché… but really listen to your heart, follow that and worry less about pleasing outer standards… set your own standards. Look for circumstances and people who enjoy sharing flourishment. Whatever environment feels unhealthy walk away.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I guess some time to chat and drink tea and eat home made food…and then probably to Jazzatlan Capital, a jazz club here in mexico city….. probably go out walking in my neighborhood, colonia roma….. depending on this friends interests… maybe downtown… maybe out in nature…. maybe go and eat in some of my friends lovely restaurants… i dont know…..

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Of course…. as i was reading i would say my Mom, Esperanza Rodriguez Lazaga de Noriega and my Dad Freddy Noriega and my son Nicolas Maroto…… well there´s so many people to thank and give recognition to…. Enrique Nery, Sheila Jordan, Theo Bleckmann, Goussy Celestin, Leika Mochàn, Aaron Cruz… unending list… but i guess if we need one name, today, present day, i would have to say my mom.

Website: iraidanoriega.com

Instagram: iraidanoriega1 instagram

Twitter: iraida noriega

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iraida.noriega/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnhHlHCkAP2opH3yAr7llsA