Photos: Ximena Sariñana @ the 9:30 Club

Ximena Sariñana—a jazz-pop sensation in her native Mexico—performed a soulful set at the 9:30 club earlier this week. She sang exclusively in Spanish, but charmed the crowd between songs, speaking in English and explaining what each upcoming song was about and what it meant to her.

Although the 23-year-old Sariñana has performed in D.C. before-she appeared at a private event in Washington last year-she seemed slightly bashful in front of the 9:30 crowd. She often closed her eyes while performing hits such as “Mediocre,” “La Tina,” and “Normal,” and played the ukulele, kazoo, and tambourine.

Her voice was impressive and wowed the crowd, which was made up of many young fans, many from Latin America, and a few gray-haired folks who seemed to appreciate the new rock music twist on jazz. Xime closed her set with the smash hit “Vidas Paralelas,” which is about two ex-lovers who often think of each other, wondering what the other is up to, while they live separate, yet parallel, lives.

Tags: Ximena Sarinana