Biography

Alba Santos is a Spanish singer, composer, and band leader whose artistic identity has been deeply shaped by her immersion in Latin American music—especially the rich musical traditions of Brazil. Her artistic journey took root at EMESP Tom Jobim, one of Brazil’s most respected schools of popular music, where she studied and refined her craft, specializing in bossa nova, samba, and Música Popular Brasileira (MPB). This deep engagement with the Brazilian soundscape became the foundation for a unique musical voice that bridges continents and cultures.

Alba’s debut solo album, Improvisación, is the culmination of ten years of musical research and personal evolution across Brazil and Latin America. Produced by Cuban bassist Aniel Someillan, the album was recorded in São Paulo at Arsis Studio and released in May 2020. With eight original tracks out of ten, it moves elegantly between jazz, Brazilian and Cuban rhythms, while carrying the melodic sensibilities of Spanish music. Celebrated for its depth and authenticity, Improvisación was nominated for Best Jazz Album by audience vote at Spain’s MIN Awards in 2021.

Just before the world came to a halt in early 2020, Alba took part in a powerful creative retreat that birthed another groundbreaking project. Alongside three other artists from India, Brazil, and Cuba, she co-created the collaborative album Odyssey during a seven-day artistic immersion—writing, arranging, and recording music that became a true convergence of four musical cultures. The album’s first single, Afrofrenia, was released in February 2021 and was met with enthusiastic reception from audiences and featured on Spotify’s editorial playlist “New Jazz.” The track blends Afrobeat, jazz, and Afro-Cuban rhythms, creating a vibrant and complex tapestry of sound that mirrors the restless intensity of a frenzied mind. The full Odyssey album is slated for release this year.