Estrella Acosta

Cuban vocalist Estrella Acosta is one of the most versatile Latin American singers living in Europe. Though Estrella has never stopped singing the folk songs of her motherland, she is equally at home embracing various Brazilian and jazz styles. With her relaxed phrasing and warm, earthy voice she brings a fresh, innovative approach to Cuban music.

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 and studying vocal technique, 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 has recorded five albums and a single for the label eStar which have won international acclaim. Her debut album of original music was 'Navegando de la Habana a Rio' (1996), followed by 'Alma Guajira - Cuban Country Songs' (2003), nominated for an Edison (Dutch Grammy). Her third and fourth albums featuring her Latin jazz quintet were 'Esquina 25' (2013) and 'Mujeres de Luna - Songs by Cuban Women Composers' (2017), with special guests Orlando 'Maraca' Valle and Horacio 'El Negro' Hernández. In August 2020 she released 'Noche Cubana', a return to her traditional Cuban roots featuring Carlitos Irarragorri on tres.

Estrella has been a featured artists on several more albums. She was invited to bandoneon-player Carel Kraayenhof's project 'Memorias de Cuba', which included a CD recording (Universal Records) and live concerts at a.o. Amsterdam's Concertgebouw with the Metropole Orchestra. In 2015 she sang with an all star cast in a bilingual children's recording produced by Ben Gundersheimer (a.k.a. Mister G) called 'Los Animales'. This album won a Latin GRAMMY.

Her festival appearances include the North Sea Jazz Festival, Curaçao Jazz Festival, the Heineken Jazz Festival, Madison World Music Festival, World Music Chicago, Sunfest and Small Music Festival in Canada, and the Jazz Plaza Festival in Havana.

Estrella has performed with many great musicians, including Toninho Horta, Craig Handy, Edy Martinez, Leo Amuedo, Claudio Roditi and Jovino Santos Neto. In the Netherlands, she fronts a band of top international musicians who have participated throughout the years in her various projects.