With her Verve debut, Wind From the South, vocalist Claudia Acuña ignited a bold new spark in the worldwide jazz community. The critically-acclaimed album was the culmination of early years singing in her native Chile, where she was first introduced to jazz, followed by several years of tirelessly sitting in on jam sessions and performing at various clubs in New York City. She also gained invaluable experience through mentorships with such luminaries as Abbey Lincoln, Chick Corea, and Dianne Reeves. Two years later, she returns with her second breathtakingly beautiful musical odyssey, Rhythm of Life.

On this aptly-titled album, Acuña continues to explore the unique bilingual territory she has made her own with innovative reinventions of American and Spanish language standards, creating a compelling fusion of Latin rhythms and jazz sensibilities. "Life has different rhythms and everything changes every day. Music represents my life and this album represents a lot of my feelings and experiences." In the time since her debut, Acuña has been touring extensively, appearing in major music venues and festivals in the U.S. and abroad. Acuña's touring has brought her artistry to a new level: her sensuous alto has become richer, more nuanced, abandoned and assured, as have her interpretive powers.

Her passionate and uninhibited delivery has garnered high praise and accolades both from fans and the press. Don Heckman of the Los Angeles Times raves, " . . . she has mastered the essential elements of jazz with startling effectiveness," while the New York Times writes, ". . . her voice has a strong, unglossy musicality." The Washington Post declares that her voice is one of "considerable power, agility, and poise," and New York Newsday describes her sound as "the voice of an angel." Billboard Magazine applauded her powerful individuality stating that "Acuña makes a statement of universality that is uniquely her own."

Acuña's artistry and that of the musicians with whom she collaborated create an evocative and captivating album. At times the album feels as though one is peering into the pages of Acuña's personal diary. "I wanted to extend the possibility of documenting part of my life with the people that are part of my life. This is how I tell my story, even the songs I didn't write. That's how I want people to get to know me, through my music." Acuña co-produced the album with pianist/arranger Billy Childs who is known for his work with Dianne Reeves. It was in fact Reeves, a mentor and a friend, who introduced the two. Considered a "musician's vocalist," Claudia surrounds herself with highly skilled artists, thriving on a creatively charged atmosphere and the refreshingly original arrangements that result. Her honey-rich voice weaves through the pulsating energy of the ensemble.