The Athenaeum Art Center and Bread & Salt co-present a special concert on Saturday, August 17, at 1955 Julian Avenue in Logan Heights. Brazilian singer, composer, pianist and percussionist Claudia Villela, a longtime friend of the Athenaeum’s jazz program, will be joined by Romero Lubambo on guitar for a program celebrating her latest CD release, Cartas ao Vento, a collection of original compositions listed as one of DownBeat’s Best Albums of 2023.
Villela sings primarily in Portuguese and interprets lyrics with keen emotional sensitivity and smooth rhythmic control. DownBeat noted her “unwavering commitment to improvisation at the highest level,” adding, “All discussions of Villela’s singing and songwriting inevitably begin with a reference to the dizzying range and depth of her improvisational art. She moves through multiple registers in a single tune, changes vocal qualities, alludes to familiar riffs and keeps the beat unwavering. Oh, and she improvises an entire lyric in Portuguese. It must be said that few can do that.” The New York Times praised her “remarkable, beautiful, towering voice,” and banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck commented, “She is pure music!”
Lubambo is familiar to Athenaeum audiences through performances with Chico Pinheiro, Luciana Souza and the Trio Da Paz. He has performed and recorded with many of the preeminent artists of our time, from Dianne Reeves, Michael Brecker, Wynton Marsalis and Gal Costa to Yo-Yo Ma, Kathleen Battle and Billie Eilish.
Jazziz wrote, “Guitarist Romero Lubambo may be the best in the world today… (his) skill, creativity and energy are in a class of their own.” DownBeat commented, “Lubambo alone is the equivalent of an entire samba band… He throws melodies, bass lines and rhythms in the air like juggling clubs.”
For more information visit: ljathenaeum.org
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Event supported by
Athenaeum Music and Art Library
