Results for "Brazilian Jazz"

Bruno Elisabetsky

Born: October 3, 1984

Born in São Paulo (Brazil) and based in New Orleans (USA), the composer, guitarist (6 and 7 string guitar) and singer explores the dialogues between the Brazilian musical tradition in conjunction with jazz and classical music, as recorded in his three works as a composer and performer released so far: Quarteto Quadrantes: Passos Largos (2013) and Sinuosa (2016) with Quarteto Quadrantes. These first two works feature participation from renowned figures in Brazilian music such as Joyce Moreno, Naylor Proveta, Toninho Ferraguti, Teco Cardoso, among others.: “traditional tales of music dominate this recording, but these musicians live for the love and danger of modern art. The passions of the underbelly of Brasilian culture inflame their work. Bruno Elisabetsky, the quartet’s composer fashions these narratives from silken melodies about the pleasures and realities of urban life. But the dusty shuffle of traditional (rural) rhythms is never far away. The gripping forms of the idiomatic tradition of Brazil run parallel to the contemporary, abstract impressionistic art” . The artist’s most recent release as a composer/guitarist is entitled "Xadrez", from 2019, recorded on a guitar trio instrumentation. “Bruno Elisabetsky is part of a Brazilian Guitar legacy of which I also belong to. He is one of the heirs of the fusion that took place within the last decades between the universe of Guinga and the Minas school of Toninho Horta, the rhythmic guitar of Baden Powell and the subtlety of João Gilberto. Bruno etches his own voice in beautiful and mature compositions, securing a place among the outstanding figures of Brazil’s contemporary guitar scene.” – guitarist and music producer Daniel Santiago on the album “Xadrez”.

Jenny Hill

Born: March 7

Jenny Hill is a versatile jazz saxophonist, flautist, composer, and arranger based in New York City. She leads the jazz sextet Liquid Horn, known for blending jazz with South American and Caribbean rhythms, and has released multiple albums, including "Floating," "Groove Garden," "The Chill Factor," "Planet Sax," and "Liquid Horn." She was a winner of the Chamber Music America Performance Plus grant in 2023, and also the ArtsWestchester Arts Alive grant.

Jenny Hill Jazz

Ester Andújar Rico

Born: June 29, 1976

singer, composer, arranger, teacher Ester holds a Master in Music Performance and Research by the VIU (International University of Valencia) and a Degree in Jazz Performance from the Conservatory of Navarra. Courses of different vocal techniques (Estil Voice Training, The complete vocal technique).Jazz singing lessons with Sheila Jordan, Miles Griffith (Manhattan School of Music), Bob Stoloff, Carme Canela, among others. In December 1995 she began singing in Valencian clubs, that same year she won the award for “Best Vocalist” in the Valencia Jazz Club contest “Black Note '95”. She has attended seminars and master-classes with Mike Mossman, Astrid Krone, Carme Canela, Mario Rossi, Kurt Rossenwinkwel, etc? In 1996 she decided to dedicate herself professionally to music, performing all over Spain with her own group “Ester Andujar Group” or with outstanding groups and soloists such as: Dr. Lonnie Smith, Idris Muhamad, Jorge Pardo, Ximo Tebar, Sam Yahel, Carles Benavent, Dennis Rowland, Ramón Cardo, Sedaví Big Band, etc. In 1998 he began to work with Ximo Tebar's band, performing in the most important jazz clubs and festivals in the country, such as the Barcelona Jazz Festival, Madrid Jazz Festival, Valencia July Fair, Seville Jazz Festival, Jamboree Jazz Club, Clamores, etc. In 1999 he toured Spain as a quartet with New York organist Sam Yahel, and also collaborated in the recording of the new albums of the Nova Dixieland Band and the Sedajazz Latin Jazz Big Band. In 2000 she toured Latin America performing at the International Festivals of Havana (Cuba) and La Plata (Argentina). Also in 2000 she was elected President of the Valencian Association of Jazz Musicians (PROMUSICS). In 2001 she returned to the city of Buenos Aires for a concert tour and to give a series of intensive courses in interpretative singing at the UEM school in La Plata. He won the “Best Voice 2001” award from the Valencian Association of Jazz and Creative Music (PROMÚSICS). In November 2001, Branford Marsallis invited her to sing on his tour in Spain while she was working as his tour manager. In 2002, she attended the International Jazz Seminar in Zarautz where she studied vocal improvisation techniques with Bob Stoloff (Berkley School of Music) and participated in Benny Golson's Master Class, performing in the closing concert with Albert Bover and Iñaki Salvador. In November 2002 she released her first album as a leader entitled “Tristeza de Amar” (Omix Records). In this recording she is accompanied by Albert Sanz, Pere Loewe and Esteve Pi and counts with the collaborations as soloists of Joan Soler, Carlos Martín and Ximo Tebar. Tristeza de Amar has been highlighted by the magazine Todas las Novedades as one of the five best Spanish jazz albums of 2002, nominated for “Best Album” in the II Edition of the Valencian Jazz Awards Promusics 2002 and highlighted in the magazine “Cuadernos de Jazz” with a rating of four stars. In this edition of the Promusics Awards he has received the BEST VOICE Award 2002. He has participated in records of “La Nova Dixieland”. In 2003 she teaches in several Valencian schools and records an album with the group “Dona'm Jazz”. In 2005 he released his second solo album, “Celebrating Cole Porter”, recorded in NY with musicians such as Ben Street, Helen Sung, Rob Bargad, Peter Bernstein, J.D. Walter, Adam Cruz and Ximo Tébar and arrangers such as Jorge Pardo, Polo Ortí and Ricardo Belda. That same year she was a finalist in the 7th International Soloist Competition in Monaco, organized by the “Academie de Musique Fondation Prince Rainier III”, being also the first singer in the history of the competition. Participates in the “Shure Montreux Jazz Voice Competition”, within the framework of the Montreux Jazz Festival, where she was FINALIST AND SPECIAL PRIZE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE JURY (President of the Jury: BARBARA HENDRICKS, Member of Honor: RANDY CRAWFORD) (07/05). She participated in the annual conference of the IAJE (International Association of Jazz Educators) in New York, in January 2006, presenting in concert her new album, “Celebrating Cole Porter”, accompanied by Ricardo Belda, César Giner and Donald Edwards. Also this year, she has presented her album in Argentina, starting her tour in Buenos Aires, within the Jazzology Cycle (Centro Cultural General San Martín) and continuing in La Plata and Mar del Plata Jazz Festival. She has filled the Teatro “El Musical” in Valencia with the presentation of her album and received numerous applause from critics and audiences with her album and live performance. She has been selected semi-finalist for the second consecutive year in the “Montreux Jazz Voice Competition” and chosen as representative of her generation by the magazine “Interviú” for the celebration of her 30th birthday in the article “Triunfadores a los 30”. In 2007, she has collaborated in the albums of Ricardo Belda (El Principio) and Jerez Texas (Patchwork), and has been invited by the Europa Jazz Festival, in Bucharest, where she toured presenting Celebrating Cole Porter. In May 2007, she attended the Europa Jazz Festival in Bucharest, where she was invited for the second consecutive year, this year to play with her trio format, “Tres por el Jazz”. In December 2008 she released her third album, ¨Páginas Preciosas¨, based on her own compositions sung in Spanish and Valencian, where all her musical influences converge, from Brazilian music to jazz, soul or funk, together with Donald Edwards (drums), César Giner (bass), Ximo Tébar (guitars), Edmundo Carneiro (percussion) and Stephan Braun (cello). She studied for a semester at the Berklee School of Music in Boston between 2009-2010, with a scholarship from this institution and the SGAE. She has presented her latest album in Spain, Lebanon, Jordan, Morocco and other parts of the world, invited by the Cervantes Institute to present ¨Páginas Preciosas¨.

Josh Couts

Born: September 9, 1987

Josh Couts is a versatile jazz guitarist and educator with a strong foundation in the essential sub genres of bebop and hard bop.  That foundation combined with his unique composition style and ever broadening approach to improvisation makes Josh’s music seem familiar yet new. 

Josh’s latest album The General Dance was released February 7, 2025. It features 11 original compositions in varying styles that highlight Josh’s broad musical influences from classic and modern jazz to Brazilian music.

Josh's other releases as a leader include All Things Green (2022) and Time Marching On (2018).  The 2022 release All Things Green features bassist Curtis Lundy, pianist Louis Heriveaux, and drummer Terreon Gully.

Rosinha de Valença

Born: July 30, 1941

Rosinha de Valença was an influential Brazilian guitarist who made significant contributions to bossa nova and samba music. Born Rosa Maria de Souza in Valença, Rio de Janeiro in 1941, she rose to prominence in the 1960s during the bossa nova movement in Brazil.

She was known for her exceptional technical skill and unique fingerstyle guitar playing. Unlike many female musicians of her era who were primarily vocalists, Rosinha established herself as an instrumentalist in a male-dominated field. Her playing style combined traditional Brazilian rhythms with jazz influences.

Akemi Yamada

Born: September 18

Akemi Yamada, a native of Tokyo, has been captivating audiences with her unique "Dreamy Jazz" style in New York City since 2008. She graduated with a BFA in Jazz Vocal Performance from City College of New York in 2007, studying under jazz luminaries including Sheila Jordan, Mike Holober, Ray Santos, and John Patitucci. Her musical education was further enriched by mentorship from Grammy-winning Brazilian jazz singer Luciana Souza.

Akemi's discography includes her debut jazz album "With A Song In My Heart" (2007), showcasing her interpretation of jazz standards, and "Ta Bi Ji -My Journey-" (2015), introducing her original compositions. Additionally, she recorded for renowned flautist Ronald Lashley’s compilation album “Christmas Jingles” in 2014. Her "Dreamy Jazz" style uniquely blends contemporary jazz harmonies with elements of pop, Brazilian music, classical, gospel, and Japanese traditional music, exploring a connection between sophistication and deep emotion. Musical influences include Pat Metheny, Toninho Horta, Carmen McRae, Billie Holiday, Stevie Wonder, Yumi Arai (Matsutoya), and Monday Michiru.

Cassio Vianna

Born: July 30, 1976

Cassio Vianna is a pianist, arranger, music educator, clinician, and an award-winning composer whose work reflects a broad range of musical and cultural influences. Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Vianna started his music studies in classical music, while developing his skills as a composer and interpreter of popular music and Brazilian jazz. Between 1993 and 1995, Vianna studied under Hungarian teacher Ian Guest, who had a great impact on Vianna's decision to pursue a career as a composer.

​From 1996 to 2009, Vianna engaged in recording and performing projects in the vibrant Rio de Janeiro music scene, including a successful career with the Brazilian jazz trio Dialeto Brasileiro

Larry Williams

Born: February 7, 1955

I think most people live more than one life  (sometimes many lives) in a single lifetime.

For example, I was born into a family where trumpet was the "family instrument" and went on to a long running career as a pro trumpet player however, the developing artist/composer side of me had always chose guitar over the horn. 

The heart wants what the heart wants.

Early in my trumpet practice years (when I was 15) I would secretly steal time away from the horn on a guitar I borrowed from a friend, and though I progressed quickly on both instruments, the horn got me into "the biz" first, so I followed that path with guitar becoming the primary composing/songwriting tool.

Mariah Parker

Born: January 20

Mariah Parker has been playing music from the time she could reach the keys on the grand piano in her family home. As a composer, pianist and bandleader her work crosses cultural boundaries with an exuberant quest for defying musical labels or categorization. Her academic tenure at UC Santa Cruz was distinguished by her involvement with ethnomusicologist Fred Lieberman and the iconic drummer Mickey Hart on the “Planet Drum” project, marking her early foray into the fusion of musical traditions. Parker’s prowess as a composer and bandleader was further cemented through her vibrant performances in festivals in the U.S

Dave Salvator

Dave is a multi-instrumentalist (reeds, keys) who has been making music for over 40 years who makes his home in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Today, Dave’s musical endeavors are focused on two groups. The Grease Traps is a hard-groovin’ funk band based in Oakland. And his own new Brazilian jazz quartet, Saravá, which combines the Brazilian songbook with an American jazz sensibility. This group visits different corners of Brazilian music, including bossa nova and samba, as well as styles from the Brazilian Northeast.