Apr

En este momento: Latin jazz artist Claudia Acuña

The Smithsonian Latino Center and the National Museum of American History present Chilean singer, songwriter and arranger Claudia Acuña in a Latin jazz vocal workshop and evening concert Thursday, April 19. The workshop will take place from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the Warner Bros. Theater in the American History Museum. The workshop is free but participants are encouraged to RSVP by April 16 at (202) 633-3704 or by emailing mierima@si.edu. The concert is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Rasmuson Theater in the National Museum of the American Indian. The concert is free and will be followed by a Q-and-A session. The concert will also bewebcast live.

Acuña was born in Santiago, Chile, July 31, 1971, and was inspired as a child to perform a variety of music, including folk, pop and opera. As she grew older her attention turned to American popular music and jazz. Her early inspirations were Victor Jara, Violetta Parra, Frank Sinatra, Erroll Garner and Sarah Vaughan. In 1995 she moved to New York City and began performing at jam sessions and clubs, including the Zinc Bar and Smalls in Greenwich Village. She also performed with her own band at the famous Jazz Gallery.

Her debut album Wind from the South was released in 1999, followed by Rhythm of Life in 2001 and Luna in 2004. Acuña’s first recording on the Marsalis Music label, En Este Momento, was released in 2009. She has also been featured on recordings with Peck Almond, George Benson, Joey Calderazzo, Avaishai Cohen, Mark Elf and Guillermo Klein.

Acuña also is a spokesperson for World Vision Chile, an international Christian relief and development organization, delivering assistance and humanitarian aid during emergencies to areas where World Vision operates child-focused development programs.