“A commanding female upright bassist and vocalist whose music blends jazz virtuosity with Latin rhythm and emotional depth.”
— Independent listener

Sofia Villarreal is an upright bassist, vocalist, and composer whose genre-blending sound weaves jazz with Latin American folk traditions. Drawing from boleros, cumbias, and jazz, her music is raw, rhythmic, and deeply human. A graduate of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute led by Danilo Pérez, Sofia brings a rare perspective as a female bandleader on upright bass—delivering music that is both groove-driven and emotionally grounded.

Trained by mentors including Victor Wooten and Terri Lyne Carrington, Sofia has performed on stages around the world, including the Panama Jazz Festival, Cambridge Jazz Festival, Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, Conservatorium van Amsterdam, and venues across the U.S. She recently completed a Northeast tour with Billy Wylder. At the heart of her work is the belief that music can be a catalyst for transformation—both personal and collective—and her songs explore empathy, resilience, and collective healing.