"A Brazilian-born genius with a blistering voice" (JazzTimes), Rio-born Villela has developed a reputation as a singularly unique singer, pianist and composer, lending her five-octave voice to work with jazz luminaries including Kenny Werner, Michael Brecker and Toots Thielemans.
Inspired to sing from hearing the intoxicating sounds emanating from the samba school behind her grndmother's house, Villela began singing professionally as a teen and eventually moved to the Bay Area. A scholarship to New York's Manhattan School of Music and studies with the legendary Sheila Jordan cemented Villela's jazz credentials, and she returned to California as an artist on a mission to create fresh, original music born of her Brazilian upbringing and passion for jazz. She blends the ever-present samba of her native Brazil with jazz, blues, and songs from around the globe, inspiring the iconic San Francisco Chronicle critic Phil Elwood to enthuse, "Villela doesn't just sing - she actually dances with her voice on top of Brazilian beats." She has released three scintillating albums before taking a hiatus from performing, and has been busier than ever over the last few years, making a welcome return.
~~~~~~~~~
Claudia Villela's haunting improvisations, and her surprising five-octave range, have earned her an enthusiastic and devoted following, drawn to the magical dimensions of her singing. Villela's independent spirit and her gift for evoking her rich musical heritage have made her develop into one of the most astonishing vocalists in jazz. As San Francisco Examiner critic Phil Elwood put it, Villela actually dances with her voice on top of Brazililan beats. In 1997, she was nominated for Jazz Singer of the Year by the National Association of Independent Record Distributors (NAIRD). Mark Holston of Jazziz described Villela as intelligent and seductive. And according to Helcio Milito, one of the fathers of the Bossa Nova, Claudia is the biggest expression of Brazilian music in the U.S. today.
show less
Inspired to sing from hearing the intoxicating sounds emanating from the samba school behind her grndmother's house, Villela began singing professionally as a teen and eventually moved to the Bay Area. A scholarship to New York's Manhattan School of Music and studies with the legendary Sheila Jordan cemented Villela's jazz credentials, and she returned to California as an artist on a mission to create fresh, original music born of her Brazilian upbringing and passion for jazz. She blends the ever-present samba of her native Brazil with jazz, blues, and songs from around the globe, inspiring the iconic San Francisco Chronicle critic Phil Elwood to enthuse, "Villela doesn't just sing - she actually dances with her voice on top of Brazilian beats." She has released three scintillating albums before taking a hiatus from performing, and has been busier than ever over the last few years, making a welcome return.
~~~~~~~~~
Claudia Villela's haunting improvisations, and her surprising five-octave range, have earned her an enthusiastic and devoted following, drawn to the magical dimensions of her singing. Villela's independent spirit and her gift for evoking her rich musical heritage have made her develop into one of the most astonishing vocalists in jazz. As San Francisco Examiner critic Phil Elwood put it, Villela actually dances with her voice on top of Brazililan beats. In 1997, she was nominated for Jazz Singer of the Year by the National Association of Independent Record Distributors (NAIRD). Mark Holston of Jazziz described Villela as intelligent and seductive. And according to Helcio Milito, one of the fathers of the Bossa Nova, Claudia is the biggest expression of Brazilian music in the U.S. today.
"A Brazilian-born genius with a blistering voice" (JazzTimes), Rio-born Villela has developed a reputation as a singularly unique singer, pianist and composer, lending her five-octave voice to work with jazz luminaries including Kenny Werner, Michael Brecker and Toots Thielemans.
Inspired to sing from hearing the intoxicating sounds emanating from the samba school behind her grndmother's house, Villela began singing professionally as a teen and eventually moved to the Bay Area. A scholarship to New York's Manhattan School of Music and studies with the legendary Sheila Jordan cemented Villela's jazz credentials, and she returned to California as an artist on a mission to create fresh, original music born of her Brazilian upbringing and passion for jazz. She blends the ever-present samba of her native Brazil with jazz, blues, and songs from around the globe, inspiring the iconic San Francisco Chronicle critic Phil Elwood to enthuse, "Villela doesn't just sing - she actually dances with her voice on top of Brazilian beats." She has released three scintillating albums before taking a hiatus from performing, and has been busier than ever over the last few years, making a welcome return.
~~~~~~~~~
Claudia Villela's haunting improvisations, and her surprising five-octave range, have earned her an enthusiastic and devoted following, drawn to the magical dimensions of her singing. Villela's independent spirit and her gift for evoking her rich musical heritage have made her develop into one of the most astonishing vocalists in jazz. As San Francisco Examiner critic Phil Elwood put it, Villela actually dances with her voice on top of Brazililan beats. In 1997, she was nominated for Jazz Singer of the Year by the National Association of Independent Record Distributors (NAIRD). Mark Holston of Jazziz described Villela as intelligent and seductive. And according to Helcio Milito, one of the fathers of the Bossa Nova, Claudia is the biggest expression of Brazilian music in the U.S. today.
read more
Inspired to sing from hearing the intoxicating sounds emanating from the samba school behind her grndmother's house, Villela began singing professionally as a teen and eventually moved to the Bay Area. A scholarship to New York's Manhattan School of Music and studies with the legendary Sheila Jordan cemented Villela's jazz credentials, and she returned to California as an artist on a mission to create fresh, original music born of her Brazilian upbringing and passion for jazz. She blends the ever-present samba of her native Brazil with jazz, blues, and songs from around the globe, inspiring the iconic San Francisco Chronicle critic Phil Elwood to enthuse, "Villela doesn't just sing - she actually dances with her voice on top of Brazilian beats." She has released three scintillating albums before taking a hiatus from performing, and has been busier than ever over the last few years, making a welcome return.
~~~~~~~~~
Claudia Villela's haunting improvisations, and her surprising five-octave range, have earned her an enthusiastic and devoted following, drawn to the magical dimensions of her singing. Villela's independent spirit and her gift for evoking her rich musical heritage have made her develop into one of the most astonishing vocalists in jazz. As San Francisco Examiner critic Phil Elwood put it, Villela actually dances with her voice on top of Brazililan beats. In 1997, she was nominated for Jazz Singer of the Year by the National Association of Independent Record Distributors (NAIRD). Mark Holston of Jazziz described Villela as intelligent and seductive. And according to Helcio Milito, one of the fathers of the Bossa Nova, Claudia is the biggest expression of Brazilian music in the U.S. today.
show less
Date/Times:
SFJAZZ Center - SF Jazz
25 Upcoming Events
201 Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
The Best Events
Every Week in Your Inbox
From Our Sponsors
UPCOMING EVENTS
Great suggestion! We'll be in touch.
Event reviewed successfully.