Juliana Aquino

Juliana Aquino is a Brazilian vocalist and performer whose career bridges the gap between traditional MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) and contemporary lounge-jazz. Emerging from the vibrant music scene of Salvador, Bahia, she initially gained experience as a backing vocalist for major Axé artists like Netinho and Ivete Sangalo.

Her move to New York in the 1990s was a pivotal turning point, where she refined her solo identity and gained critical acclaim from outlets like the New York Times for her ability to translate Brazilian sensibilities for an international audience. Her most significant contribution to the genre is the 'DiscoBossa' project, which reimagines classic disco and pop hits through a bossa nova framework. This approach places her alongside contemporaries like Marcela Mangabeira and Bebel Gilberto. Critically, she is noted for her technical precision and the 'cool' emotional distance typical of the bossa nova style, which allows her to reinterpret high-energy dance tracks as intimate, sophisticated jazz pieces. Her work is a staple in the 'femmes bossa' and nu-jazz scenes, valued by collectors of high-fidelity lounge and tropical-influenced downtempo.