Claudia Acuña is considered the most successful Chilean jazz singer of all time. She is a true force of nature who connects Chile and New York City in the most beautiful way.
Claudia Acuña in New York City
Claudia Acuña, the great Chilean jazz and folk singer, sings Latin American standards her way, including songs from Nat King Cole’s Spanish-language albums; in Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall in Midtown, Manhattan; on Friday, February 7, 2025 at 9pm. From $55. carnegiehall.org 🇨🇱
New York City Venues
- Carnegie Hall
- Lincoln Center
- Small’s
- Zinc Bar
Claudia Acuña
Claudia Acuña is known as a dazzling interpreter of jazz standards and Latin American romantic ballads, but never lets go of her rich Chilean folkloric heritage. Born in the capital Santiago, Chile and raised in Concepcion on the Pacific coast, Acuña started out singing Chilean folk music, but when she sang jazz, people said she had a natural talent for it.
A classic New York success story, Claudia moved to The City in the 1990s, to take her music career more seriously. She worked the usual odd jobs, hung out at Small’s jazz club and the Argentine-owned Zinc Bar, and sat in with everyone who would let her. She became known as a brilliant interpreter of both straight-ahead jazz and Latin American standards; and worked with a Who’s Who of great New York jazz artists. A demo with bassist Avishai Cohen led to a record contract. Acuña released five albums as a leader, and then took a break to become a mom.
Her 2019 return to music, “Turning Pages,” was nominated for the “Best Latin Jazz/Jazz Album” Latin Grammy. The Covid Pandemic of 2020 made many people reevaluate their lives and place in the world. From New York, Acuña looked back to her roots with “DUO,” an album of Chilean folk songs sung in duet with famous jazz musicians like Fred Hersch, Christian McBride, and Kenny Barron.
If you truly follow your heart, you never know where you might end up. In 2025, Claudia Acuña makes her Carnegie Hall debut in concert for “Nuestros Sonidos” (Our Songs), Carnegie Hall’s season-long festival of Latin culture.
At some level, Claudia Acuña follows in the footsteps of folk legend Violeta Parra whose Nueva Canción Chilena (New Chilean Song) made Chilean folk music cool. Claudia’s voice and phrasing also recalls another great Latin American folk singer, Mercedes Sosa, the Indigenous Argentine whose version of Parra’s “Gracias a la vida” moves South Americans to tears. Sosa was of Diaguita descent. The Diaguita still live in Chile and Argentina.
Claudia Acuña has one foot in Chile and another in New York. She brings the two cultures together in the most beautiful way. When Claudia sings a Chilean folk song with her jazz voice over the Indigenous bombo criollo drum, your hair will stand on end.
Go see her. You’ll never forget Claudia’s voice and presence.
Albums
- “Duo” (2022)
- “Turning Pages” (2019) was nominated for the “Best Latin Jazz/Jazz Album” Latin Grammy.
- “En Este Momento” (2010)
- “Luna” (2004)
- “Rhythm of Life” (2002)
- “The Wind From the South” (2000) features bassist Avishai Cohen who has a sweet singing bass and natural affinity for Latin music.
Information
Social Media
Instagram @claudiaacunamusica
Facebook @Claudiaacunamusic
YouTube @claudiaacunaoficial7313