Cecilia Villar Eljuri

Ecuador-born and New York City–bred Cecilia Villar Eljuri is an award-winning Latina singer-songwriter and virtuoso guitarist whose original music fuses rock, reggae, and world rhythms with soaring guitar and socially relevant, impactful lyrics. One of the bravest and most outspoken Latin immigrant voices in the U.S. today, the self-described “artivist” blends musical artistry with a deep commitment to social justice and activism for human rights and the environment.

Over the course of her career, Eljuri has refined a distinctive sound—melodic, guitar-driven anthems and rebel cries that call for social change in both Spanish and English. Her musical influences include traditional Ecuadorian pasillos and boleros written by her mother, an accomplished pianist and composer; the cha-cha and Afro-Cuban music played and danced to by her Spanish father; the punk and rock she absorbed while sneaking into NYC clubs with her siblings; and the reggae she learned from artists passing through the city’s legendary music halls.

“My greatest passion is songwriting. I feel empowered to testify about life today in our world, and I consider myself a conduit to the voices of those I encounter when I travel and tour internationally. My music mirrors the things that resonate in my soul.” –CVE

The power Eljuri generates onstage is undeniable, answering a growing need for strong female role models. Recognized as one of the top Latin guitarists in the world, she has received Billboard, John Lennon, UK, and International Songwriting Awards, has been a Music to Life juried artist, and serves as a mentor for SoundThinking—a program for urban high school students in partnership with the New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment and CUNY. She was also one of the original organizers of the historic NYC Women’s Marches.

Her sixth studio album, Asi es el Mundo (This Is the Way of the World), was released in August 2025 on Manovill Records with Six Degrees Music distribution. Within its first month, the bold bilingual release reached #1 on both the World Music and Latin Music North American College and Community Radio Charts, #10 on the World Music Charts Europe, and #25 on the Transglobal Music Chart.

Eljuri’s critically acclaimed albums consistently appear in the top ten on indie, college, worldbeat, and Latin radio worldwide. She has been featured on NPR, PRI, Pacifica Radio, PBS, Voice of America, NBC Latino, La Jornada, Revista Kuadro, and the Women in Rock documentary.

A longtime musical ambassador for civil rights and the environment, Eljuri launched Concerts for Democracy to inspire social activism among young audiences in partnership with national voting organization HeadCount. (Register or check your registration here now!). Currently touring with her NYC-based power trio, she introduces her new music while registering voters across major markets ahead of the 2026 U.S. midterm elections.

Eljuri proudly endorses Gibson Guitars, D’Angelico Guitars, JH Audio Custom In-Ear Monitors, Mono Cases, Moody Guitar Straps and S.I.T. Strings.

“The indefatigable guitar genius and powerhouse singer has released her best album yet with ‘Así es el Mundo’.” –Indie Pulse Magazine

"She writes tight, concise songs, sings them distinctively… and plays a razor-sharp guitar… the energy she generates can be positively breathtaking. Cecilia Villar Eljuri is not an artist to be ignored.” –Songlines, UK

“Cecilia Villar Eljuri is a triple threat: She's an accomplished songwriter, a great vocalist, and one hell of a guitar player.” –NPR MUSIC

ELJURI LIVE Festival Highlights:

> Folk Alliance International 2026 Official Showcase (US)
> Concert of Colors 2025 (US)
> Hillside Festival 2025 (CA)
> LadyBug Music Festival 2025/2022 (headliner) / 2020 (US)
> Women’s Rebel Voices 2025 (US/CA)
> 2024 Eljuri Concerts for Democracy Tour (US)
> LatinX Festival 2024 (headliner) (US)
> Levitt VIBE: Chicago Belmont Cragin Music Series 2024 (headliner) (US)
> Lancaster Music Festival 2023 (headliner) (UK)
> Conincx Pop Festival 2023 (NL)
> Sanctuary for Independent Media 2023 (US)
> Musikfest 2022-19 (US)
> Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks Summer Concert Series 2022 (headliner)/2020 (US)
> LadyBug Music Festival 2022 (headliner)/2020 (US)
> River & Blues Festival 2022 (US)
> Mamapalooza 2022 (headliner) (US)
> Interludes at IHM, Battery Park City Authority 2020 (US)
> Spirit of the Suffragettes Concert Series 2019 (US)
> Festival Internacional Quimera 2019 (MX)
> Canadian Music Week 2018 (CA)
> Women’s March on NYC 2018-17 (US)
> Kultrún World Music Festival 2017 (CA)
> Summer on the Hudson 2017/2016 (US)
> Día Internacional de la Mujer 2017 (MX)