Eleven years ago, Chilean-born jazz vocalist Claudia Acuna graced the stage of the Kimmel Center’s Perelman Theater to pay tribute to the great Billie Holiday. Four months ago, she came to the WRTI Performance Studio and took command of the room with her own music. This performance of "Futuro" is especially poignant, being that she wrote the tune while awaiting the birth of her son.
After a decade-long hiatus from recording to concentrate on being a mother, she now sings the song looking ahead to her renewed future as a vocalist, performer, and songwriter. Her new album, Turning Pages, is all about her life – from childhood memories, through her move to New York, and beyond.
“Claudia Acuna’s NPR Live Sessions appearance delivered a bit of extra excitement to the WRTI Performance Studio,” says WRTI Jazz Host and NPR Live Session Executive Producer J. Michael Harrison. “She performed with a wonderful ensemble and her visit corresponded with the release of her first recording in close to 10 years. Allocating time to perform a mini concert at our radio station meant a lot to us. An artist of her stature could have easily passed on our invitation. It’s truly a delight to share Claudia’s “Futuro” from a very special edition of NPR Live Sessions.”