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​​The Story Behind Mi Pequeña

An intimate celebration of Venezuelan song featuring Jorge Glem

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Some albums are born from the desire to create something new. Others begin with the desire to preserve something precious. For Venezuelan Canadian vocalist and composer Eliana Cuevas, Mi Pequeña grew from a lifelong love of the songs that shaped her childhood and a wish to share their extraordinary beauty with listeners everywhere. Released in November 2025 on Lulaworld Records, the album is an intimate celebration of Venezuelan song, created in collaboration with Latin Grammy-winning cuatro virtuoso Jorge Glem and produced by multiple Juno Award-winning pianist and producer Jeremy Ledbetter.

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Unlike her previous albums, which have primarily featured original compositions, Mi Pequeña turns its attention to some of Venezuela's most beloved songs of the last several decades. Together, Cuevas and Glem revisit this remarkable repertoire with warmth, sensitivity, and deep respect for the original works, allowing the voice and the cuatro to become equal partners in conversation.

At the heart of the album is the Venezuelan cuatro—an instrument whose expressive range, rhythmic vitality, and unmistakable sound have long been central to the country's musical identity. Through Jorge Glem's extraordinary artistry, the cuatro becomes both accompanist and storyteller, revealing new colours and emotional depth in songs that generations of Venezuelans have cherished. For Cuevas, the project was also deeply personal.

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"I've always wanted to create an album that celebrates the extraordinary beauty of Venezuelan songs. These are songs that have been part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I hope Mi Pequeña inspires listeners to discover them and return to them again and again."

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The album is also a heartfelt tribute to the late guitarist, composer, and beloved friend Aquiles Báez, whose generosity, artistry, and unwavering encouragement left a lasting imprint on Cuevas's musical life. His spirit quietly accompanies the project, reminding listeners that music is not only something we create, but something we inherit, share, and pass forward.

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Produced by Jeremy Ledbetter, Mi Pequeña embraces intimacy over grandeur. Every musical decision serves the songs themselves, creating space for their poetry, melodies, and emotional honesty to shine. The result is an album that feels timeless—rooted in tradition while speaking naturally to contemporary audiences.

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For listeners unfamiliar with Venezuelan music, Mi Pequeña offers a welcoming introduction to one of Latin America's richest and most diverse musical traditions. For those who already know these songs, it is an invitation to hear them with fresh ears and renewed appreciation.

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At a time when the country of Venezuela is facing immeasurable challenges. Mi Pequeña is an expression of love—for a musical heritage, for the artists who shaped it, and for the timeless beauty of Venezuelan song.

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