Venezuelan singer Nella kicks off Center Stage Series on September 27

Nella performs in the 2024-25 Center Stage Series on Sept. 27. 

Nella, 2019 winner of the Latin Grammy for Best New Artist, will be the first act in Luther College’s 2024-25 Center Stage Series, performing at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, in the Center for Faith and Life Main Hall. 

Born in Venezuela, Nella is a graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston. Nella’s music is a warm, rich blend of her native country’s folklore, the sounds of her generation, and influences from Spain’s Andalusia region. Nella’s songs are deeply personal, carrying elements of her homeland’s musical tradition while connecting across cultures and borders. 

“I’m really excited to start the Center Stage Season with Nella. Her vocal quality and musicianship are mesmerizing,” said Kristen Underwood, director of campus programming.  “She’s touring with Gilad Barakan on guitar and the two of them will spend some time with Luther students in the afternoon as part of our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. I love it  when artists are enthusiastic about connecting with our community; Nella has been wonderful.”

In May 2019, Nella released her debut album, Voy, with its title track earning a spot on the New York Times’ list of the best songs of 2019, coming in at #14. She followed this success with the release of Doce Margaritas in 2021, her first album with Sony Music, featuring 12 songs written by Javier Limón and collaborations with Latin Grammy-winning Venezuelan guitarist Cheo Pardo. 

Before her debut album, Nella appeared in the Spanish feature film Everybody Knows, starring Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem, performing songs written by Latin Grammy winner Javier Limón. Shortly after, she launched her tour dubbed Me Llaman Nella (They Call Me Nella), which featured songs from the film, other Limón-penned tunes, and Venezuelan folk songs. This two-year tour took her to the USA, UK, Spain, Venezuela, Panama, and Mexico.

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