Nilza Costa: Ancestral Sounds of Afro-Jazz and Afro-Brazilian Spirituality

Brazilian singer and songwriter Nilza Costa is blending ancestral African rhythms with contemporary jazz and world music, focusing on the spiritual heritage of her roots. Her work serves as a bridge between the cultural traditions of Salvador, Bahia, and the European jazz scene, utilizing music as a vehicle for emancipation and spiritual exploration.

Costa’s artistic identity is deeply rooted in her Afro-indigenous heritage. She was introduced to Yoruba culture and Candomblé religious services by her grandmother, which fostered a lifelong passion for the rhythms that define her current sound.

Musical Foundations and Early Career

The singer’s professional journey began in Salvador, Bahia, where she performed as a solo voice within the choir of the Church of San Lazzaro. She further developed her craft as a member of the Olodum scenic choir and served as a backing vocalist for the reggae ensemble Ujhama.

Her compositions reinterpret a wide array of traditional Brazilian and spiritual forms, including:

• Candomblé and Capoeira
• Samba Duro and Maculelê
• Cantigas de Roda

By integrating the Yoruba language and Afro-jazz arrangements, Costa aims to evoke the spiritual power of these ancestral sounds.

Transition to Europe and Artistic Evolution

In 2006, Costa relocated to Italy. Upon arriving in Bologna, she established the all-female group Mariadomar. Following the conclusion of that project, she continued to collaborate with various instrumentalists within the Italian jazz scene, eventually forming the ensemble that has supported her recording of four albums.

Her discography reflects a journey through diverse cultural and spiritual themes. Her debut album, Revolution, Rivoluzione, Revolução, released in 2014, blended Afro-jazz with Samba, Blues, and voodoo-inspired atmospheres.

In 2021, she released her third album, Le notti di San Patrizio. This project features eight original tracks that highlight her deep and dark vocal range.

Recent Developments and Collaborations

Costa’s most recent project, Cantigas, was released on February 6, 2026, through the label Brutture Moderne. The album is available in both digital and CD formats and is categorized under World Music and Afro-Jazz.

Throughout her career, she has collaborated with several notable artists to enrich her sound, including:

• Roy Paci
• Etnia Supersantos
• Senegalese musician Elhadj Demba S. Gueye

Based now between Salvador de Bahia and Ferrara, Italy, Costa continues to position herself as a spokeswoman for her people’s revolution, using her music to explore the intersection of ancestral rhythms and modern jazz.