FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2008

Contact: Ian Martínez
Director of Communications
(773) 834-7965
imartinez@uchicago.edu

Tickets: (773) 702-8068

BRAZILIAN JAZZ VOCALIST LUCIANA SOUZA BRINGS “THE NEW BOSSA NOVA” TO MANDEL HALL, APRIL 25

CHICAGO – Three-time Grammy-nominated vocalist and composer Luciana Souza will bring her unique mix of jazz, classical and Brazilian music to Mandel Hall on Friday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m., as part of the University of Chicago Presents’ series. Performing works from her latest album, The New Bossa Nova, Souza will appear on stage with guitarist Keith Ganz, bassist Matt Aronoff and drummer Dan Rieser. Marking one of the final stops on her tour, Souza will soon go on maternity leave, as she prepares for the birth of her child in August.

Called “a prime advocate for reinventing the poetic tradition within jazz” by the Chicago Tribune, Souza’s performances have earned her considerable accolades, including the Jazz Journalists Association’s 2005 “Jazz Singer of the Year” Award. Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, Souza was raised in a household of Bossa Nova composers and musicians, where she quickly developed the family trade. By the age of 16, she had already become a studio veteran with more than 200 commercials and recording projects under her belt. Since then, Souza has been an active performer and recording artist, adding her vocals to more than 50 albums by such musicians as Herbie Hancock, Kenny Wheeler, Maria Schneider, Danilo Perez and John Patitucci. She is currently appearing in Paul Simon’s acclaimed sold-out shows at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Of Souza’s seven releases under her name, three—Brazilian Duos, North and South and Duos II—have earned Grammy nominations. Her most recent recording, last year’s The New Bossa Nova, features fresh interpretations of songs by such artists as Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen and Steely Dan, as well as a new duet with singer/songwriter James Taylor, each in Souza’s distinctive style.

TICKETS for this performance are $30 for general public or $5 for students with a valid ID and can be purchased by calling the University of Chicago Presents Concert Office at (773) 702-8068, or visiting 5720 S. Woodlawn Avenue on the University of Chicago campus.

Click here to read Luciana Souza's bio.

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Friday, April 25 at 7:30 pm
Luciana Souza: The New Bossa Nova
Mandel Hall
Luciana Souza, vocals
Keith Ganz, guitar
Matt Aronoff, bass
Dan Rieser, drums

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The University of Chicago Presents is one of the city’s landmark classical music presenters on the campus of the University of Chicago in the heart of the city’s South Side. Among the musical legends who made their debuts at Mandel Hall are violinist Isaac Stern, guitarist Andres Segovia, soprano Cecilia Bartoli and The Juilliard String Quartet.

UCP offers five concert series—Classic Concert, the Howard Mayer Brown International Early Music, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Artists-in-Residence Series featuring the Pacifica String Quartet, and the Contempo series.

TICKETS:
– By phone with credit card at (773) 702-8068; minimum $10 charge
– In person with cash, check or credit card, weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
– Office of Professional Concerts, 5720 S. Woodlawn Ave.
– At Mandel Box Office after 6:30 p.m. on concert day
– By email at concert-office@uchicago.edu

LOCATION: Mandel Hall is located at 1131 E. 57th Street.

PARKING: Street or free in lot at 55th Street and Ellis Avenue

DISABILITIES: Persons with disabilities or who otherwise need assistance may call the Office of  Professional Concerts at (773) 702-8068 prior to the concert, but no later than 3 p.m. on concert day.

PHOTOS: Photos of the artists may be obtained upon request to the University of Chicago Presents at (773) 834-7965, or by fax at (773) 834-5888. To download pictures directly from the web site, visit chicagopresents.uchicago.edu/news/photos.

ONLINE: chicagopresents.uchicago.edu

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