Piano is in Helio Alves’s DNA. Playing since age 6, the Jazz and Bossa Nova veteran will treat New York City audiences Aug. 11 at the Zinc Bar.

Alves was born in Sao Paulo in 1966 and gravitated to jazz in his teens. He moved to Boston to study at the Berklee College of Music and received his degree in 1990. In Boston he would meet trumpeter Claudio Roditi, who advised the 24-year old pianist to move to New York – which he did in 1993.

Since then, the pianist and composer has been praised as a sideman with Joe Henderson, Yo-Yo Ma, Paquito D’Rivera, Gato Barbieri, Dave Samuels, Airto Moreira and Flora Purim, Oscar Castro-Neves, and more. He has also recorded two albums with Roditi, ‘Samba Manhattan Style’ (1995) and ‘Double Standards’ (1997).

From 1995-97, Alves toured with Joe Henderson’s DoubleRainbow Quartet, celebrating the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim, and was featured in the Grammy-winning release, ‘Joe Henderson’s Big Band’ (Verve, 1996). Alves was the pianist on Grammy-winning releases by Yo-Yo Ma (‘Obrigado Brazil,’ 2003) and Paquito D’Rivera (‘Brazilian Dreams,’ 2002), and on the Grammy-nominated ‘Samba Jazz Fantasia’ (Malandro Records, 2002), by Duduka Da Fonseca, and ‘Forests’ (Zoho Music 2008) by the Brazilian Trio, his band with Da Fonseca and bassist Nilson Matta. His playing has also appeared on albums by Rosa Passos, Joyce, Herbie Mann, Gal Costa, and many others.

Alves will be playing three shows at The Zinc Bar, located at 
82 West Third Street. For tickets or more information, click here.

By Sean Chaffin, Editor/Senior Writer

Last Updated: July 30, 2010, 2010; 7:10 pm CT

Madison Square Garden, here she comes.

Ivete Snagalo, one of Brazil’s best-selling Brazilian female singers is bringing her powerful and sultry voice to the U.S. for three shows kick-started in Miami and capped off in New York City. The New York show will also be recorded for the DVD Multishow Live – Ivete Sangalo at Madison Square Garden.

Sangalo is a phenomenon in her native country as a singer and songwriter of Brazilian Popular Music, and a Latin Grammy award winner. She also occasionally lends her talents as an actress and television show host in Brazil. Her albums have sold millions of copies, and she has toured throughout the country.

Born in Bahia in 1972, Sangalo began singing at an early age at school and bars, her success eventually leading to a recording contract in 1993 with Sony to become the lead singer of the Axé group Banda Eva. Axé is a type of music from Bahia derived from blending several Afro-Brazilian styles of music including Reggae and Calypso. Her career thrived with Banda Eva, and the band’s live album, Banda Eva Ao Vivo, sold more than a million copies. In 1997, Sangalo made the decision to go solo and released a self-titled album in 1999, which went platinum. The album Beat Beleza followed and also garnered platinum status. In 2002, she released Se Eu Não te Amasse Tanto Assim (If I Didn’t Love You So Much), with the album-titled track reaching No. 1 on the singles charts. The album also contained a duet with American R&B artist Brian McKnight. Sangalo’s career would continue to climb in the coming years.

In 2004, MTV Live: Ivete Sangalo was released and continued the sales success for the artist. The album was a hit, with live versions of her mostr popular songs and some Banda Eva hits as well. The album was the second best-selling album of the year in Brazil. A hit DVD was next as well as the album, As Supernovas, a triple-platinum hit. More albums and hits have followed as well as sold-out shows at some of the biggest stadiums in South America. During her two decades in music, she has also recorded with some of the biggest names in Brazilian sounds including Gilberto Gil, Robert Carlos, Jorge Ben Jor, and many more. Her success has made her one of the best-paid acts in Brazil.

In New York, Sangalo will take the stage with guests Nelly Furtado, James Morrison, Seu Jorge, and more. The Brazilian diva will also be making a stop in Massachusetts as part of her three-show American concert series. Here is a list of concert dates and information.

• Aug. 28 – Miami, Fla., American Airlines Arena.

• Sept. 1 – Worcester, Mass., DCU Center.

• Sept. 4 – New York City, Madison Square Garden.

For those who can’t make one of thes shows, Sangalo will be broadcasting her rehearsals for the shows live on the Internet on Monday, Aug. 2. Click here for more information on watching the event.

Updating our earlier post on Kenia’s show in New York and her new album, Mosaic Brazil has learned the Brazilian artist will be performing several shows in Pennsylvania in the next few months.

Kenia’s blend of Brazilian sounds and jazz helped define the smooth jazz “Wave” sound over the last few decades, and her new album, Kenia Celebrates Dorival Caymmi, was released in April. Here is a full list of her upcoming shows.

• Aug. 3 – Pittsburgh, JazzLive at Katz Plaza.

• Aug 17 – Pittsburgh, Riverview Park/Observatory Hill.

• Aug. 15 – Pittsburgh, The Reservoir Of Jazz, Highland Park.

• Aug. 20 – Zelienople, Penn., JazZee at The Strand Theatre.

• Aug. 21 – Eagles Mere, Penn., Performing with Salsamba.

• Sept. 2 – Pittsburgh, Duo in the Park.

• Sept. 6 – Lancasster, Penn., Mark’s Place,

• Oct. 2 – Pittsburgh, Little E’s.

• Nov. 16 – Pittsburgh, Backstage Bar.

The artist’s reps say she will also be in Brazil in November. We will let you know if she adds shows outside Pennsylvania. For more information on her tours, visit Kenia’s official site. For more on Kenia or to purchase her albums, visit Connect Brazil.

Famed Brazilian guitarist, singer, and composer Oscar Castro-Neves has several upcoming concert appearances.

Castro-Neves is known for his unique guitar playing and has worked with some of the biggest names in Brazilian music. While most are outside the United States, he will be making one stateside appearance in November that includes a music class as part of the appearance.

• July 10 – Belgium, Ghent Jazz Festival (with Toots Thielemans and Kenny Werner)

• July 21 – Turin, Italy (with Toots Thielemans and Kenny Werner)

• Aug. 14 – Marina del Rey, Calif., Burton Chase Park (with entire band)

• Nov. 5-7 – Nashville, concert and Master Class

If you make to one of the shows, let us know what you think!

A kind of “Brazilapalooza” is coming to London. Festival Brazil is coming this summer, and what a great time it would be to be in the UK. Event organizers have detailed more events and this celebration will feature music, art, sports, and Brazilian culture.

“Bringing the vibrant, dynamic culture of contemporary Brazil to the heart of London, Festival Brazil celebrates the country’s rich cultural heritage – including music, visual arts, dance, literature, debates and food,” event organizers say.

The musical lineup at Festival Brazil is unmatched with performances at London’s finest performance halls as well at smaller locations within the city. Organizers have also promised free performances by Brazilian artists through London. Here are a few of the performers and their performance dates:

• In July, Royal Festival Hall hosts some of the biggest names in Brazilian sound with Gilberto Gil (July 21), Maria Bethania (July 17), and Os Mutantes and Tom Ze & Band (July 18).

• Queen Elizabeth Hall will host the Bahia Youth Orchestra on July 7.

• Mart’nália, one of Rio’s new artists on the samba scene, brings her sound to the hall on July 10.

• Arnaldo Antunes and Porcas Borboletas perform at Queen Elizabeth Hall on July 16. Antunes has been one of the biggest names in Brazilian music since the 1970s, mixing rock with traditional Brazilian sounds.

• Dan Danford and Fusion Percussion will bring their Brazilian sound from Rio de Janeiro on June 25 at the Foyer Bar.

This festival is more than music and caters to every aspect of Brazilian culture. From comic book artists to futebol, this “Brazilapalooza” will offer something for everyone interested in the land of samba and sun. Here are some of the other Brazil-focused activities planned:

• The Hayward Gallery will host an exhibition of renowned Brazilian artist Ernesto Neto‘s work, which runs alongside The New Décor, a survey of more than 30 contemporary artists with a focus on sculpture.

• “Brazilian Words” at the London Literature Festival will featuring Socrates, a doctor, social activist, philosopher, and soccer player.

• The E4 Udderbelly will host “Brazil! Brazil!” – a celebration of capoeira (a traditional Afro-Brazilian dance), acrobatics, soccer, dance, and music.

• Gringo Cardia, a designer, graphic artist and architect who has worked with Cirque du Soleil, will bring Brazilian street art to London’s Southbank. On the weekends of July 16-18 and Aug. 6-8, London may turn green, yellow, and blue with all the Brazil-centric events taking place. Various free events will take place including spoken word performances, poetry readings, family workshops, Brazilin cuisine and music, family workshops, artist-led talks, free guided tours, a huge Brazilian carnival, and more.

If you are planning attending, please let us know. We’d love to get some first-hand reports and photos on this fantastic festival. Let us know what you think of the events! For more information on events and locations, click here or visit here for a complete schedule of events.

No stranger to Brazil and Brazilian sounds, Dionne Warwick played San Francisco on Feb.6 at the historic Castro Theater.

The show was part of an 11-date string of concerts wrapping up in September. Warwick has been recording for more than four decades and has dabbled in Bossa Nova and Brazilian recordings throughout her award-winning career. On her 1994 Aquarela Do Brasil, she’s worked with a Who’s Who of Brazilian stars including Dori Caymmi, Ivan Lins, and Chico Buarque, to name just a few. Connect Brazil calls the album “the most unique chapter of pop star Dionne Warwick’s life.”

Apparently, Brazil had a major impact on her career and she opened up this week in an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle about her career and 18 years of actually living in Brazil:

Although she went on to work with such other noted songwriters and producers as Thom Bell, Jerry Ragovoy, Barry Manilow, Stevie Wonder and Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, she always comes back to Bacharach and David. She appears Saturday at the Castro Theatre in a concert produced by the Rrazz Room. She spoke by telephone from her New Jersey home, where she lives when she’s not at her other home in Brazil.

Q: When did you move to Brazil?

A: About 18 years ago. I’ve been living in Rio for the past 15 years. I’m moving to a wonderful place called Bahia. It’s in the northern region of Brazil, going up toward the Amazon. It is absolutely glorious. It’s on the ocean, of course. I think all of Brazil is on the ocean. It has part of the rain forest there. I call it my paradise. It’s where I need to be at this point in my life. I’m still looking. As soon as I find the place that says ‘This is it,’ I’m moving. I try to get down every two or three months. It hasn’t worked out so well this year so far.

Warwick’s Aquarela Do Brasil is available for purchase at Connect Brazil.

By Scott Adams, Publisher

Posted on: November 03, 2009

There’s no doubt that one of the hottest releases of the Brazilian spring: leaving her longtime label home at six degrees for Verve Music provided a change of scenery that may have provided the spark, but whatever the reason, her ‘All In One’ album (see below) is really beginning to push the Brazilian buzz this past week.

And part of it is news of her upcoming North American tour. No sooner did the virtual ink dry on our exclusive pre-tour announcement late last week, then we given the green light to announce the dates, along with the cities and venues.

The tour will kick off in Miami on November 18th and wrap up a month later in Vancouver BC:

11/18/09 – - Miami @ Fillmore          

11/20/09 – - Atlanta @ The Loft

11/22/09 – - Richmond @ The National

11/23/09 – - Washington DC @ 9:30 Club

11/25/09 – - New York, NY @ Hiro 

11/27/09 – - Boston @ Paradise Rock Club

11/28/09 – - Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont Theater

11/29/09 – - Montreal @ L’astral

11/30/09 – - Toronto @ Sound Academy   

12/02/09 – - Chicago @ Park West

12/03/09 – - Minneapolis @ The Dakota    

12/05/09 – - Denver @ Ogden                     

12/08/09 – - Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up Tavern

12/09/09 – - Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda

12/10/09 – - San Francisco, CA @ Bimbos

12/12/09 – - Portland @ Holocene

12/13/09 – - Seattle @ Showbox at the Market

12/14/09 – - Vancouver @ Commodore

Concert News!: Beginning next Wednesday, I’ll be giving away tickets for two to see Bebel Gilberto in concert, with winners in every US city on her tour. Here’s what you’ll need to do to win:

     Register to listen to our free 24/7 webcast channel, The Sounds of Brazil ‘EXTRA’ channel. Then stop by to listen every day and send us an email when you hear your name announced.

It’s that simple! Many will win and dozens more will win copies of Bebel Gilberto’s new ‘ All In One ’ CD. Sign up today and get ready to hear your name called beginning next Wednesday!

~ ~ ~

Listen for songs from her new album on all three of our webcast channels and on The Sounds of Brazil radio program. Grab a free download on her artist page at Connectbrazil.com, and be sure to mark your calendar for November 21st and our radio/webcast special, ‘Gilberto, Inc.’ featuring the music of Bebel, her father João Gilberto, her mother Miucha, and her ‘step-mom’ Astrud Gilberto!

Have you seen Bebel in concet before? What is your favorite song from her new ‘All In One ‘ album?

By Scott Adams, Publisher

Updated: November 7, 2009

 In Rio tonight with nothing to do? I have a suggestion:

Four of Brazil’s best saxophonists; Leo Gandelman, Paulo Moura, Nivaldo Ornelas and Mauro Senise (above, from left)  joined up to present an special show Tuesday 11/03 at SESC Ginástico in Rio de Janeiro. The one-night sax summit showcased their best songs, as each performed two songs and then joined together for a big jam session. 

The reed-masters were accompanied by David Feldman (piano), Andre Vasconcellos (bass), and drummer Allen Bridges. In addition to their own tunes, fans also heard songs from Radamés Gnatalli, Edu Lobo, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Gilson Peranzzetta.

Couldn’t make the show? Create one for yourself with this quartet of CDs featuring each of these in a starring or supporting roll:

Nivaldo Ornelas

with Mauro Senise

Leo Gandelman

Paulo Moura

By Sean Chaffin, Editor/Senior Writer

Last Updated: October 26, 2009; 8:15 pm CT

Gal Costa, one of Brazil’s most revered artists, continues a whirlwind series of shows this week with performances in Washington D.C. and Miami, after receiving accolades on the West Coast.

Costa, 64, was an influential member of Brazil’s Tropicalia movement, and began her recording career in 1965. Throughout her five decades in the music business, she has recorded songs by some of Brazil’s best-known songwriters including Antonio Carlos Jobim, and has sung in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Her albums have sold millions of copies, and her sound is influenced by jazz, bossa nova, and rock. In 1995, she even starred in the film O Mandarim as Brazilian singer Carmen Miranda.

And now she has made her way stateside for a few shows, including Sunday night’s appearance with Oscar Castro-Neves at the Herbst Theater as part of the San Francisco Jazz Festival. The show received nice reviews for the singers’ “breezy intimacy” and “vocal acrobatics” including a “best of Brazil” section of classic Brazilian songs that took concertgoers on a mental trip to Rio.

For Costa, the appearance followed two shows in Los Angeles at UCLA. Costa has two more shows this week as part the mini-tour, appearing Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, and Sunday, Nov. 1, at the Lisner Auditorium in Washington D.C. If you attend a show, let us know what you think.

To purchase Gal Costa CDs, visit Connect Brazil.

A bit of Cuba in Brazil? You bet. Two founding members of Cuba’s famed Buena Vista Social Club begin a three-city tour this week in the land of samba and sun.

Percussionist Amadito Valdes, 63, and Barbarito Torres, 53, rehearsed last week in Havana for the upcoming tour. Valdes is a percussionist and Torres plays the Cuban lute. Concerts are planned for Sao Paulo, Refife, and Olinda beginning Sept. 1.

“We are going to play all of our traditional songs: son, danzon, bolero, all those things identified with Buena Vista Social Club,” Valdes told the Associated Press.

Many members of the original Buena Vista group have passed away in recent years and Valdes and Torres are some of the last remaining original members since American guitarist/music producer Ry Cooder brought Cuban musicians together in the ‘90s. Their self-titled album became an international hit launching the musicians to international stardom, creating an increased interest in traditional Cuban music. Some of performers later released successful solo albums as well.

A dozen musicians will back up the duo on the Brazilian tour. Two featured artists in the band include Valdes’s daughter Idania, 28, a singer and solo recording artist, and Teresa Garcia Caturla, an occasional singer with the Afro-Cuban All-Stars, another successful Cuban group.

With Brazil’s rich musical heritage, the group should receive a warm reception. What do you think?

– SEAN CHAFFIN