Amparo Sánchez was the front woman of Amparanoia for over ten years and, due to her energy and borderless music mix, she became known as a female Manu Chao. But in 2008 she embarked on her solo career and since then she has shown that she can do more than just party. In 2010, she released her powerful, personal debut album, Tucson-Habana. That is the project she's bringing to the North Sea Jazz Festival. The mix of styles remains: it's a case of Cubana meets Americana. Solo is never truly solo with Amparo Sánchez. On the album, she plays with members of Calexico and she visited the famous studio of the Buena Vista Social Club. She doesn't shy away from the blues - as a singer her foremost idols are Billie Holiday and Nina Simone. Sánchez is bringing several extra wind instrument players to Rotterdam, so the performance could easily end up a party again.