In traditional forms of music such as classical, jazz, Latinand baroque, musicians are often encouraged to learn the standards in order toemulate past greats, rather than venture off immediately to write new material.Modern composers rarely achieve success on the level of past legends. Moreoften than not, audiences would rather hear the standards than be challenged bynew music incorporating those influences. Despite this reality, Venezuelan bornand Toronto-based songwriter Eliana Cuevas writes original music and hasengendered a fervent national fanbase through two critically acclaimed albums.Yet, her music, a traditional blend of Venezuelan and Peruvian melodies mixedwith Cuban percussion and North American jazz, would not sound out of placenext to the music of Tito Puente or any other Latin-jazz great.

“The songs we play are mostly my original compositions,”says Cuevas. “I prefer to sing my own lyrics, because it's a way of expressingmy own thoughts and ideas, [but] there are a couple of classics that I perform,ones I really identify with. Traditional music has evolved by having artistswith a vision bring their own ideas to the table, like me, but there is valuein tradition. It's part of our history.

“In the future there will always be change. That’s awonderful thing. Different musicians are born every day and with their uniquecreativity that will, in addition to being influenced by the past, create a newsound.”

This delicate balance between tradition and creativity isevident on Cuevas’s sophomore album, a collection of 10 originals and twocovers entitled Vidas. It was recorded and mixed at CBC Studios in Toronto and is comprised ofsongs road-tested by months of touring. The entire album was recorded live offthe floor, creating a sound as lively as a speakeasy in 1920s Caracas.

“I had the music ready to go, as I had just finished a tourwith my band,” Cuevas explains. “Each song is somehow related to differenttimes, places and lives. So, like people, they have totally differentpersonalities. To me it is the production, the band and our interpretations,which links them together.”

The acclaim Cuevas has seen since the album was released 10months ago has been overwhelming. She has played virtually every jazz festivalin Canada, jumped from smoky cafés to small theatres, and done a jaunt aroundEurope, prompting talks of a licensing deal that will see Vidas released overseas.

Until then, Cuevas will continue to perform throughoutCanada, as her fanbase continues to grow with every performance. Thosestaunchly indebted to traditional Latin and Venezuelan jazz have finally foundsomeone new to love, while those unfamiliar with the genre can discover abridge to a rich history of melody, rhythm and poetry.