KeniaFestival appearances

Kenia Acioly is an internationally acclaimed Brazilian jazz vocalist born in Nova Iguacu, a suburb of Rio de Janeiro. Arriving in the U.S. in 1980, she quickly established herself on the NYC jazz scene, recording with trumpeter Claudio Roditi before launching a solo career with four critically acclaimed albums for MCA and Denon between 1987 and 1991. Known for her intimate, amber-toned vocals and finesse with both American standards and Brazilian material, she single-handedly defined pop-accented Brazilian jazz in the 1980s and 90s. Based in Pittsburgh, she returned in 2008 with Simply Kenia, winning the Brazilian International Press Award for Best CD of the Year, followed by Kenia Celebrates Dorival Caymmi in 2010. Her music blends bossa nova, samba, choro, and MPB with American jazz influences.