Cuban vocalist Estrella Acosta never stopped singing the folk songs of her motherland, yet she is equally at home embracing various Brazilian and jazz styles. She has left a travel footprint that truly makes her a citizen of the world. After completing a degree in cultural anthropology from the University of Texas at Austin, she set out to pursue her musical dreams in a journey that took her to Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, New York City and, finally, Amsterdam, where she now resides.
Estrella leads several groups that range from traditional Cuban country music, 'Estrella's Guajira', to more contemporary Cuban sounds with 'Esquina 25', bringing together top international musicians from Cuba, Venezuela, Germany, the USA and the Netherlands. They create an original view of Cuban music in a wide variety of styles.
Estrella has recorded six albums for the label eStar, which have won international acclaim:
- ’Navegando de la Habana a Rio' (1996), her debut album of original music by Luizão Paiva, Leo Amuedo and herself,
- ‘Alma Guajira - Cuban Country Songs' (2003), nominated for a Dutch ‘Edison’ award,
- ‘Esquina 25' (2013), with her Latin jazz quintet and Leo Amuedo,
- ‘Mujeres de Luna - Songs by Cuban Women Composers’ (2017), with the Pavadita String Quartet
and guests Orlando 'Maraca' Valle and Horacio 'El Negro' Hernández.
- ’Noche Cubana’ (2020) with Cuban tres player Carlitos Irarragorri
- ‘Tierra’ (2023), her new album, featuring songs by female songwriters from the countryside of Cuba as well as her own compositions...
This album has been Nominated for a Latin GRAMMY® 2023.
Estrella has recorded as a guest for different labels including an album with the Metropole Orchestra for Universal Records and a children bilingual album, 'Los Animales', that won a Latin Grammy in 2015.
Her festival appearances include the North Sea Jazz Festival, Curaçao Jazz Festival, Madison World Music Festival, World Music Chicago and Sunfest in London, Canada.
'Tierra' - 'Music so memorable that you will want to return to it frequently, always to derive immense pleasure from the music and to elevate the spirits with every spin of the recording." - Raul da Gama, Latin Jazz Network, Canada
“Mujeres de Luna is an album of intense and ethereal beauty that travels the roads of jazz and 'filin' in complicity with the cadence of the 'trova'.” - Carlos Olivares Baro, Razón, Mexico
“Mujeres de Luna (Women of the Moon) is a beautifully conceived and executed collection of 11 selections, all composed by Cuban women … Acosta proves an exceptional interpreter of this music with her quartet supported by strings and a host of percussive delights ... Worry not if you can't understand the lyrics. The language is music and it speaks to everyone. That is how to best approach a wonderful recording one might otherwise not address.”
- C. Michael Bailey, All about Jazz, USA
“Estrella Acosta has pulled it all together on this very special recording: heartfelt and unique vocal interpretations, an incredible team of musicians, and stunning arrangements... She has brought new life to many of Cuba’s forgotten great women composers by uncovering many musical gems with a new and fresh approach. I love this CD because it is full of thought, heart and joy.”
- Jane Bunnett, Canadian saxophonist, flutist and bandleader, multiple Juno Award winner and Grammy nominee.
"I enjoyed every note of the cd... very fresh arrangements and your voice fits them perfectly. I loved the work of the tresero, as well as the bassist, the guitarist, the tenor player and the rhythm section, muy sabroso."
- Paquito D'Rivera
"One of the best recordings of Cuban music realized in Europe... Estrella Acosta is one of the most versatile caribbean singers of our times."
- Luis Tamargo, Contacto - USA
http://www.estrellaacosta.com