Band leader, Alma Villegas started her professional music career in 2001 when she was asked to perform with two of Seattle’s most popular Latin salsa music ensembles. Her experiences in these two ensembles reconnected her to her youth in Mexico and led her to create a band that offered a more diverse selection including the traditional bolero (Latin ballad), cha-chas, mid-tempo Latin jazz standards, a variety of Cuban rhythms, salsa and bossa novas.
Alma Villegas recorded her first CD sending audiences on an excursion of Latin soul and tradition. The CD entitled simply Alma Villegas highlights the beauty that exists within each country’s interpretation of their Latino culture and sabor through the magic of music. In June of 2010, Alma released her second CD Alma y Azúcar continuing to share with audiences the wide range of Latin music beyond the traditional salsa. This new compilation features additional instrumentation including violin, trumpet and tres (Cuban guitar).
Alma Villegas y Azúcar have performed at top Seattle venues including: Dulces Latin Bistro, Egan’s Jamhouse, Serafina, St. Clouds, Tractor Tavern, The Triple Door’s Musicquarium and Jazz Alley. In addition, the band performs annually in festivals across Washington State including the Northwest Folklife Festival, Jazz in the Valley in Central Washington, Allied Arts at the Blue Heron on Vashon Island, Edmonds Arts Festival, Pike Street Music Festival, the Spokane Opera Music Series at Lincoln Center and Summer Concerts at the Clearwater Casino to name a few. The band has also traveled and performed in California, Oregon, Idaho, Montana & New York.
