A Mi Manera

It’s a very personal album. I don’t know how else to begin describing it. The name speaks for itself; it is a reflection of my growth both as an individual and an artist. I have been on a journey of owning myself and my decisions. For far too long I didn’t trust in my instincts even though I knew I had to, and I won’t say that it led me to mistakes, because I learned from every situation. I will say however that it led me to understand my value, my needs, my wants, and the basic concept that I can do as I please – always with love, but never at the detriment of myself. 

Funny enough, in 2023 I was convinced that I would slowly remove myself from the music scene. I had accepted that it was hard, difficult, and perhaps I was better off just leaving. The universe had other plans. I was invited to a show at the Upstairs Jazz Club, and I met someone. His name is Diango, Cuban Trumpet player, a gem of human being. We clicked right away in discussions about music and discovered a common field. From there, we decided to work on something together, and so it began, again. 

Through Diango, I met Willy, Cuban Piano player, extremely talented and disciplined. We also worked on something together. Both of them have proved to be very good friends and we believe in each other.  They also happen to be part of my new band, ‘Claudia Lenti y Dulce Vita’ 🙂

Music took me back on a ride, one of diving into my creative process and expressing who Claudia Lenti really is – many things. I have never liked the status quo, the mindset that everything needs to be a certain way. As scary as it is, even for me, to try new things, it also builds my character and allows me to discover parts of me I didn’t know existed, or that did, but that I never banked on. 

It is why my album is called, ‘A Mi Manera’, because it is different, unique, comprised of different genres, yet a compilation of what represents me and my passions. 

You know it’s funny. All my life I never really felt I fit in anywhere. I got along with many people yet never really belonged anywhere, but more like I belonged everywhere. There are pieces of me that exist because of my experiences, hobbies, passions, etc. I find it a waste to think that we should only stick to one genre of music, or one culture, or anything really. 

After all, we live in such a diverse city where the only way to truly understand each other is to try and understand thy neighbor. It’s just like music. I have seen such wonderful collaborations between musicians who come from completely different musical training and genres. Yet together they come, time and time again to create the most beautiful music I hear when I see them live. This is what excites me. Music. It always has and it always will because nothing can take away the artist that lives within me. 

I have my first ever Salsa on this album, produced by Ricky Campanelli, called ‘No Quiero Mas’. I have been sitting on this song for the last two years and it will finally see the light of day (track #5). 

Dios nos quita la gente que no sirven de nuestra vida, y le doy la gracias. He has protected me time and time again and he is with me in this beautiful year of 2024 – the year that I did it all my way.