This week‘s Mothers in Jazz (*) features Brazilian vocalist Claudia Villela, who grew up surrounded by music in her grandmother’s home, beginning to make music herself when she was only a year old. After relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area, she studied with NEA Jazz Master Sheila Jordan and the Met Opera’s John Robert Dunlap before making her recording debut with 1994’s Grammy-nominated “Asa Verde”. She has since performed and recorded with musicians including Michael Brecker, Toots Thielemans, Toninho Horta, and Kenny Werner. Claudia splits her time between Rio de Janeiro and California, and her children are 33 and 35 years old.

London Jazz News: What is the best advice you received about balancing/juggling motherhood and career?

Claudia Villela: I heard some saying that “there goes a career “! I never received any good advice that I can remember.

LJN: What information or advice do you wish you’d received but didn’t (and had to learn through trial and error or on the go)?

CV: Raising kids is difficult, and even more so being alone in another country, without family support, plus trying to be a musician. At the same time, drawing, playing music with them, reading to them, making plays with them, cooking healthy and taking them to ballet, music, drawing and swimming classes, going on hikes, taking them to Rio. Well, I think I did the best I could. I wish I had more time for everything! But I learned to be flexible and include them in my work-my youngest sold CDs at some of my concerts ( at age 7) and couldn’t help herself going onto the stage and playing with me too. They were very little, about 3 and 4 years old.The other one did posters.

I believe each artist mom will find a way to do what she can to be herself and still be a mom that is present and nurturing.

LJN: Your top tip(s) for other mothers in jazz:

CV: Sing to them, and tell your truth. It’s ok to have other missions besides being a mommy.

LJN: Baby/child gear tips for travel/touring/gigging:

CV: I breastfed sitting in a toilet on the road. It’s ok but I don’t recommend it! I always had crayons, snacks and extra sweaters.

LJN: Best general travel/gigging/tour-with-child advice:

CV: I would imagine it is to make them feel important and participating somehow.

LJN: What has surprised you about becoming a parent and remaining engaged with your professional activities and ambitions?

CV: I never had any plans. Life just happened and I went with the flow. But I did turn down lots of opportunities, which I don’t regret. Kids grow up too fast. I’m surprised we turned out ok. I made peace with what I chose to do and they respect me for it.

LJN: What boundaries have you set for yourself as a mother in jazz (could be related to travel/touring, riders, personal parameters, child care decisions, etc.)?

CV: I didn’t want to be away from them too long. I wanted to be present for them as much as I could but still do some work. Now I’m a grandma and I’m busy again with my little darling – still juggling “my lives”. 

Claudia’s new album “Cartas ao Vento” (Taina Music) was released on 8 September 2023. She recently performed at SFJazz in duos with Ricardo Peixoto, Gary Meek and Vitor Gonçalves.

(*“Mothers In Jazz” is a new series, started by vocalist Nicky Schrire. The initiative aims to create an online resource for working jazz musicians with children, those contemplating parenthood, and jazz industry figures who work with and hire musicians who are parents. The insight of the musicians interviewed for this series provides valuable emotional, philosophical and logistical information and support that is easily accessible to all. “Mothers In Jazz” shines a light on the very specific role of being both a mother and a performing jazz musician.

LINKS: Artist websiteThe complete archive of Nicky Schrire’s Mothers in Jazz series

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