CARNAVAL WITH BRASIL BRAZIL

Sonidos y Mas: Carnaval with Brasil Brazil

By Ernest Barteldes in Miles-tones, Sonidos y Mas
Houston Press

Tuesday, Feb. 24 2009 @ 11:52AM

www.brasilbrazilshow.com

Formed by veteran Brazilian singers Ana Gazzola and Sonia Santos, Los Angeles-based band Brasil Brazil celebrates the music of their native country with an elaborate show that includes several standards and original songs - a formula they devised when they first started the project over a decade ago as the U.S. hosted the 1994 soccer World Cup.

They have since been touring massively, appearing at various festivals around the globe with an upbeat, rhythm-filled show that narrates the history of Brazilian music through song. They have yet to make a stop in Houston, but told Rocks Off they would very much enjoy doing so.

The duo has recently released its third self-titled CD, which includes classics like "One Note Samba," and "A Felicidade" (from the soundtrack of Black Orpheus) alongside a bossa-nova take on Nirvana's "Come As You Are" and Nat King Cole's "L-O-V-E." As on previous discs, the tracks blend into each other without interruption - pretty much as they do live.

Rocks Off recently caught up with Ana Gazzola via e-mail...

READ ENTIRE INTERVIEW HERE:

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2009/02/sonidos_y_mas_carnaval_with_br.php

Grammy Jazz Winners- Don Heckman's Thoughts

Although you don't see the jazz awards given out on prime time TV, (don't get me started me on that), this year the pre-Grammy awards were presented online through the Grammy website. Hopefully this will be a way to get more attention to our jazz brothers and sisters and perhaps they might start playing the music on the show too.

I still would like to see them give at least one or more of these awards on the prime time show. Expose the public to some jazz music so that we can have a bigger audience. What a slight to the music that is inherently American from the roots up and has influenced all pop/rock styles in one way or another. The Grammy's need to embrace their heritage.

Again, it takes the people to make the changes happen. Join the Grammy's and become a voting member and make your voice heard.

For more about the winners please check out one of LA's great jazz journalists, Don Heckman, on his blog:
http://irom.wordpress.com

February 8, 2009
Here, There & Everywhere: The Jazz Grammy Awards
From the "International Review Of Music" blog

http://irom.wordpress.com/2009/02/08/here-there-everywhere-the-jazz-grammy-awards/

BRASIL BRAZIL 3 CD Release March 3rd

Brasil Brazil New CD Release!

"Brasil Brazil weave a brand of jazz that fits seamlessly into the fabric of world music. Their show is energetic and inspiring,
not to mention musically remarkable."
-Leta McLaughlin - OC Weekly/ Orange County

"With a lavish splash of color this happy ensemble educates and entertains with the best of Brazilian Jazz".
-Mark Bialczak - Herald American Post/ NY

Internationally renowned singers, Ana Gazzola & Sonia Santos, once again bring the liveliness and flavor of Brazilian music and culture to their new CD release, “Brasil Brazil 3.” This is the third CD under this name which includes, “Brasil Brazil 1” and “Brasil Brazil 2” and these native Brazilian song birds have recorded solo CDs (“Sorte” for Sonia Santos and “Brazilicious” for Ana Gazzola) along with two DVD’s, ”Brasil Brazil Live At The Syracuse Jazz Festival” and “Brasil Brazil LA Live.”

With their strong rhythmic African roots, these two experienced vocalists have put together a band of top quality musicians from the North and South of Brazil that includes an exciting and colorful stage show. The musical authenticity and versatility of the Brasil Brazil band is spiced with Latin and African drumming tinged with a hint of jazz, contemporary and original arrangements that present all the rhythms and faces of this colorful and tropical culture. The addition of a variety of unique percussion instruments played skillfully by these high energy ladies and their band members leaves audiences of all ages entertained and educated about the music of Brazil and the music of their souls.

Both Sonia and Ana had successful musical careers in Brazil before they decided to venture out into the international world music scene. After extensive touring, they met in Los Angeles, realized they had the same goals and formed their own successful company, Yellow Green Productions. Their current release, “Brasil Brazil 3”, is a joyful experience continuing to demonstrate the spiritual conviction of union, love and peace that is the trademark of their performances.

For more about Brasil Brazil go to: www.BrasilBrazilShow.com
Distributed by City Hall Records and available at iTunes and CDBaby.com

San Diego Pianist Danny Green Joins Pacific Coast Jazz

San Diego, CA – October 9, 2008 - San Diego-based independent record label, Pacific Coast Jazz (PCJ), announces the addition of San Diego-based Brazilian jazz pianist, Danny Green, to their roster of distinctive artists. Green’s own independent label, Alante Recordings, will now be an associate label under the Pacific Coast Jazz umbrella.
This affiliation anticipates the release of Green’s first solo release With You In Mind, slated for a street date of January 20, 2009. “The quality of Danny’s work is outstanding and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to high quality independent artists,” says Donna Nichols, founder and president of Pacific Coast Jazz. Nichols’ label has teamed up with publicist Joy Foster of SV Media Relations and radio promoter Neal Sapper at New World N’Jazz and will give Alante Records access to international media buying and retail distribution.

Clearly Danny Green has managed to carve out a place for himself in the lineup of young San Diego jazz artists who have a pulse on keeping the tradition of jazz piano alive while stepping boldly into the future through the use of cultural sounds and world music rhythms. With You In Mind is Danny’s debut solo outing and was co-produced with Allan Phillips and features Justin Grinnell (bass), Dylan Savage (drums), Allan Phillips (percussion) and Tripp Sprague (soprano saxophone). In With You In Mind Danny Green combines both Brazilian and Latin influences and cradles them in mainstream jazz and classical nuances. As a result of Danny’s musical influences his sound comes across to listeners as a pianistic mixture of Bill Evans, Brad Mehldau, Danilo Perez, and Ravel with original compositions emerging from the sincerity of his soul. “A beautiful addition to our artist roster,” added Nichols.

Pacific Coast Jazz, founded in 2003, is a boutique jazz label that also offers artist management services. All PCJ artists are distributed worldwide by MVD Audio/Big Daddy Music. For more information on Pacific Coast Jazz, please visit: www.pacificcoastjazz.com. For media information or interviews with Danny Green, please contact: Joy Foster at SV Media Relations at: SVMediaRelations@gmail.com. Visit Danny Green’s website at: www.dannygreen.net