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Claudia Acuna

Reflection and re-dedication are steady themes in the life and work of Claudia Acuña. Following her dynamic debut on the NY scene in the 1990's she released five albums as a leader before slowing down to adjust to motherhood and restore her power. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, she returned refreshed and reborn 2019 and in 2019, delivered the Latin Grammy nominated album Turning Pages, representing reclamation, recovery, survivor and documenting a major creative leap.

As 2020 rocked the world we all experienced our own version of such a journey, asking ourselves important questions of intent and purpose. Claudia returned to a long time desire - to record a duets album of songs from her homeland, Chile. As the world slowed to a crawl, Acuna took this time to remember the past, to find the core of her dedication and the power of music. The result is DUO, 9 songs recorded with some of the finest musicians in the world. Entering the studio with the likes of Fred Hersch, Christian Mcbride, and Kenny Barron for an intimate recording put her in a vulnerable spot, but the ease and comfort of the experience set the tone. The simplicity of just two, feeling the music and letting it flow through them, brought her to a new place as a singer.

Seven of the songs on DUO come from composers hailing from Chile, Cuba, Argentina, and Mexico, and one from the great Chick Corea. The final track is Acuña's sole original composition, and speaks of her relationship with Mother Earth. '...at the end of the day we all walk alone, and we can discover our beauty when we see Earth and us as one'

Born July 3, 1971 in Santiago and raised in Concepcion, Acuña established herself on the Chilean jazz scene in her early 20s. When she arrived in New York City in 1995, Acuña quickly gained recognition as a leading voice on a scene rapidly being transformed by a wave of brilliant Latin American musicians. Part of the roiling scene centered on Small's, she plunged into collaborations with masters such as Jason Lindner, Harry Whitaker, Arturo O'Farrill, Guillermo Klein, Avishai Cohen, Branford Marsalis, George Benson, Louie Vega, Danilo Perez, and Tom Harrill.

Her five albums as a leader established Acuña as a creative force, from 2002's Rhythm of Life (Verve) and 2004's Luna (MaxJazz) though 2008's In These Shoes (Zoho Music) and 2009's strikingly beautiful En Este Momento (Marsalis Music). Whether putting her stamp on popular Latin American ballads, reimagining jazz standards from a South American perspective, or bringing infusing Afro-Caribbean material with a wide rhythmic sensibility, Acuña stands out as a passionate and emotionally incisive singer with a gleaming, burnished bronze tone.

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Album Review

Claudia Acuna: Duo

Read "Duo" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi


Alcuni classici della canzone popolare latina costituiscono il nucleo del sesto disco da leader di Claudia Acuña. In questa celebrazione la cantante cilena ha coinvolto sette protagonisti del jazz contemporaneo in altrettante esecuzioni in duo caratterizzate da palpitante relazione con la loro identità tradizionale. I due brani conclusivi sono cantati in inglese e la vedono piena protagonista: “Cristal Silence" di Chick Corea è cantato a cappella; “YO" è una sua composizione originale eseguita con un sottofondo percussivo. ...

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Radio & Podcasts

New Releases Plus Part 2 Of Selections From Terri Lyne Carrington's Book New Standards Vol. 1 Highlighting Women Composers

Read "New Releases Plus Part 2 Of Selections From Terri Lyne Carrington's Book New Standards Vol. 1 Highlighting Women Composers" reviewed by Mary Foster Conklin


This broadcast presents new releases from vocalists Tia Brazda, Aimée Allen, The Manhattan Transfer, Kristan Berardi, Claudia Acuna and pianist Amina Figarova, with birthday shoutouts to Emma Larsson, Tania Grubbs and Amy Cervini, among others. Also Part 2 of selections from Terri Lyne Carrington's latest New Standards Vol. 1 project featuring 101 Lead Sheets composed by women. Thanks for listening and please support the artists you hear by purchasing their music during this time of pandemic so they can continue ...

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Album Review

Thana Alexa: ONA

Read "ONA" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi


Ci giunge con un po' di ritardo questo secondo disco della talentuosa vocalist e compositrice Thana Alexa, ma va assolutamente considerato. Anche questo, come già il debutto Ode to Heroes, è un tributo: dalle figure musicali che l'hanno influenzata siamo passati a una celebrazione del genere femminile e al ruolo—spesso sottovalutato—che svolgono nel mondo. Nata a New York da famiglia croata, Thana è tornata nell'infanzia in Croazia dov'è rimasta per completare i suoi studi. Successivamente si è ...

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Album Review

Thana Alexa: ONA

Read "ONA" reviewed by Doug Collette


A departure from Thana Alexa's first album Ode to Heroes (Harmonia Mundi/Jazz Village, 2015), ONA is also rooted in jazz, but it showcases Alexa's use of her voice as both a lyrical and experimental instrument. Commencing immediately on the title tune, this mostly original material features arrangements in various combinations of atmospheric, electronic soundscapes and exotic instrumental textures, complementing a voice which enchants as often through its feather-light air as its full-throated tones. Co-produced with master drummer Antonio Sanchez--with whom ...

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Album Review

Thana Alexa: ONA

Read "ONA" reviewed by Geno Thackara


Thana Alexa's voice contains a world of sound, and that is without even mentioning the globe-spanning musical trappings which surround it. Hearing her is like watching a thunderstorm or maybe a wild hawk in flight. She doesn't just sing but uses her voice as an expressive precision instrument, in much the same way all the tones and electronics here are sculpted into an unclassifiably genre-defying whole. Her rich contralto can also be honey-smooth and soothing in the (relatively) rare calm ...

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Live Review

Claudia Acuna Casts Her Flamenco Jazz Spell in Amsterdam

Read "Claudia Acuna Casts Her Flamenco Jazz Spell in Amsterdam" reviewed by Guy Zinger


Claudia AcunaBimhuisAmsterdam, NetherlandsApril 3, 2010 Much like a modern-day matador, Claudia Acuna took the stage of the Bimhuis, dressed for the occasion. A performer filled with passionate dramatic tension on the one hand and tender jazz intimacy on the other--strength and grace, intertwined. Singer-songwriter Claudia Acuna, born in Santiago, Chile, Acuna began singing music native to her country. At the age of 15 she became acquainted with her musical models--Frank Sinatra, Erroll Garner and Sarah ...

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Album Review

Claudia Acuna: En Este Momento

Read "En Este Momento" reviewed by David Adler


It's been roughly five years since Chilean vocalist Claudia Acuña released Luna (MAXJAZZ, 2004), a brilliantly conceived meeting of minds with pianist/co-producer/co-composer Jason Lindner, her strong ally coming up in the New York Smalls scene of the '90s. In the interim, Acuña made In These Shoes (ZOHO, 2008), an overtly Latin-pop collaboration with pianist Arturo O'Farrill, plus inspired guest appearances on David Gilmore's Unified Presence (RKM, 2006) and Joey Calderazzo's Amanecer (Marsalis Music, 2007). En Este Momento represents a long-awaited ...

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Event

Benefit for Chile March 20

Benefit for Chile March 20

Source: Kim Smith Public Relations

Claudia Acuna & (le) Poisson Rouge presents MUSIC FOR CHILE: A Benefit Concert Hosted by Ambassador Heraldo Muoz

CLAUDIA ACUNA BAND featuring JON COWHERD, piano; MARK KELLEY, bass; YAYO SERKA, drums; JUANCHO HERRERA, guitar; plus special guest MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO

Also featuring EVA AYLLON, DAVID GILMORE, JASON LINDNER, and PABLO VERGARA QUARTET

SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2010: 7pm doors open; 7:30pm 9:30pm performances; $20 suggested donation/tickets; 100% of proceeds will go to Chilean Relief!

Chilean vocalist and composer Claudia Acuna, together with ...

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Recording

Claudia Acuna Releases En Este Momento on April 7

Claudia Acuna Releases En Este Momento on April 7

Source: Special Ops Media

Decca Label Group and Marsalis Music present Claudia Acuña and her Marsalis Music debut CD En Este Momento on April 7th!

Chilean born songstress Claudia Acuña has delved deep into her soul and brought forth her most personal and creative album to date with En Este Momento (At This Moment) on Marsalis Music.

This inspired 10 song collection, produced by acclaimed saxophonist and label head Branford Marsalis, showcases Acuña’s unparalleled talent.

Fusing maximum emotion into both Spanish and English lyrics ...

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Performance / Tour

The Claudia Acuna Quartet Celebrates "En Este Momento" at Dizzy's

The Claudia Acuna Quartet Celebrates "En Este Momento" at Dizzy's

Source: Kim Smith Public Relations

In Celebration of her latest Marsalis Music release En Este Momento, Jazz at Lincoln Center's Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola Presents

THE CLAUDIA ACUNA QUARTET featuring Claudia Acuna (voice), Jason Lindner (piano), Juancho Herrera (guitar), Carlos Henderson (bass), Mark Kelley (bass 4/18), Yayo Serka (drums), Adam Cruz (drums 4/18).

Wed Sun, April 15-19, 2009 - 7:30pm and 9:30pm only

Chilean born songstress Claudia Acuna has delved deep into her soul and brought forth her most personal and creative album to date with ...

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Recording

Arturo O'Farrill and Claudia Acuna - A Musical Match Made in Heaven!

Arturo O'Farrill and Claudia Acuna - A Musical Match Made in Heaven!

Source: All About Jazz

Brooklyn, NY - Latin Jazz virtuoso Arturo O’Farrill and South American Jazz vocalist Claudia Acuna are pleased to announce the release of their first album together. Arturo O’Farrill who is most known as the leader of the Chico O’Farrill Orchestra, The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra and former Director of Latin Jazz at Lincoln Center has paired with South American vocalist and instrumentalist Claudia Acuna on an album that is sure to strike a chord at the very musical foundations of ...

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Performance / Tour

The Claudia Acuna Quartet @ The Jazz Gallery, March 5-6

The Claudia Acuna Quartet @ The Jazz Gallery, March 5-6

Source: All About Jazz


Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Duo

Ropeadope
2022

buy

ONA

Self Produced
2020

buy

En Este Momento

Marsalis Music
2009

buy

Luna

MAXJAZZ
2004

buy

Wind from the South

Verve Music Group
2003

buy

Rhythm of Life

Verve Music Group
2002

buy

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