Cuban-born vocalist Estrella Acosta is an accomplished and versatile singer-songwriter. Although she has never stopped singing the folk songs of her motherland, she is equally at home embracing various Brazilian and jazz idioms. With her warm earthy voice, Acosta creates an energetic yet intimate and personal style, rooted in the sounds of her native Cuba.
She has left a travel footprint that truly makes her a citizen of the world. After completing a degree in Latin American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin, she set out to pursue her musical dreams on a journey that took her to Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, New York City, and, finally, Amsterdam, where she now resides.
Her new album, titled ‘Tierra – Songs by Cuban Women’, is one of six contenders for a Latin GRAMMY® 2023 in the category Best Traditional Tropical Album. This nomination places her amongst top colleagues in her field of music.
The vibrant and festive recording shines a spotlight on the female songwriters of the Cuban countryside, including Acosta’s captivating compositions. Drawing inspiration from the rich musical heritage of her motherland, ‘Tierra’ features songs that are deeply rooted in the music of the Cuban countryside. Estrella also provides her personal vision of this tradition, presenting three compositions that reflect her own experiences with music and poetry, including a poignant poem penned by her mother. The album showcases modern and adventurous arrangements, highlighting Estrella’s artistic versatility.
Through her exceptional talent and creative collaboration with the musicians of her band, Esquina 25, Estrella has crafted ‘Tierra’ into an album with a distinctive character. The album seamlessly blends elements of improvisation and jazzy solos with a deep respect for the Cuban rhythmic tradition. It also incorporates Latin American rhythms, resulting in a fusion that exudes the flavors of Caribbean and South American roots.
Reflecting on her Cuban upbringing, Estrella Acosta shares, “The smell of mangos and guavas brings back memories of my childhood and reminds me of the sound of Cuban country music playing on the radio. Now, I pay tribute to the rich musical heritage of Cuban country music, and especially to the talented women who have given us the gift of their songs.”
‘Tierra’ features an ensemble of accomplished musicians hailing from different countries, including Cuba, Venezuela, Uruguay, Germany, and The Netherlands. Together, they create a unique blend of creative voices that elevates the album to new heights.
The album showcases the remarkable talents of Marc Bischoff on piano, Efraim Trujillo on saxes/flute, Samuel Ruiz on double bass, Enrique Firpi on drums, and Estrella Acosta on vocals. Additionally, notable guest artists Gerardo Rosales on percussion and Alberto Caicedo on vocals contribute their exceptional artistry to the record.
The compositions by Celina González, Radeunda Lima, Sara González, Irina González, and Estrella Acosta are brought to life through brilliant arrangements by Marc Bischoff, Jesús Hernández, Carlitos Irarragorri, and Michael Simon.
For further information, visit www.estrellaacosta.com
Images/source provided by Chris DiGirolamo
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