Clara Sanabras is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with roots described as Sioux and Gypsy, born in France and raised in Barcelona before becoming based in London. Her work draws on folk, blues and continental styles, and she writes and sings in English, Spanish, French and Catalan. She is known for a versatile voice and for accompanying herself on baroque guitar, charango, Indian harmonium, telecaster and mandolin.

Career

Sanabras emerges from the East London scene and builds a distinctive style from folk tradition, with melodies that move in unexpected directions. She begins attracting wider attention in 2006 with the album Clara & The Real Lowdown, produced by Harvey Brough. She later records Hopetown House with The Real Lowdown, a London collective of folk, jazz and world musicians, and The Emblem.

Collaborations and appearances

Her work includes collaborations with Natacha Atlas and Luke Concannon of Nizlopi. She appears in Mike Radford’s film The Merchant of Venice alongside Al Pacino, and on BBC Radio 3 in The Don with Bill Nighy. She also appears on stage with Nicholas Hytner at the National Theatre and performs under the direction of Karlheinz Stockhausen.

Festivals and other credits

Sanabras appears at Glastonbury, the London Jazz Festival and WOMAD. Her song “Nada Igual”, used in La Reina del Sur, reaches number one in the Mexico iTunes charts. She is also the featured singer in the film Cristiada, with music by James Horner.

Associated ensemble

She is also listed as working with London Voices.