THE MUSIC OF LUCIANA SOUZA, a program filled with many of her original compositions as well as other songs from composers whose music she has recorded. Ensemble and solo performances feature arrangements by “Moss” and Luciana Souza, Lee Abe and Antonio Carlos Jobim. You’ll also hear the sweet, sweet music of The Beach Boys, Ella Fitzgerald and Jacob do Bandolim.
Vocal Jazz Ensemble, directed by Liz Tobias presents:
“Shadows and Light Part I” Words by Joni Mitchell, Arranged by Luciana Souza (Ensemble)
“Back File” by Luciana Souza - Tahlia Khan
“Triste” by Antonio Carlos Jobim – Amalia Lee
“Nica’s Dream” by Horace Silver – Babatunde Ogunlade
“Fotographia” by Antonio Carlos Jobim, arranged by Lee Abe – Ensemble
“Doce de Coco” by Jacob do Bandolim – Briana Chavez
“Waters of March” by Antonio Carlos Jobim – Neil Aggarwal
“The Very Thought of You” by Ray Noble – Sarah Aladetan
“Shadows and Light Part II” Words by Joni Mitchell, Arranged by Luciana Souza (Ensemble)
“Blanket of Blue” by Jerry Livingston, words by A.J. Neiburg & Marty Symes, arranged by Dominique Eade (Ensemble)
“Aparecida” by Ivan Lins – Scott Viteri
“No Wonder” by Luciana Souza – Tahlia Khan
“I get along without you very well” by Hoagy Carmichael - Amalia Lee
“Lullaby of Birdland” by George Shearing and lyrics by George David Weiss - Babatunde Ogunlade
“God Only Knows” by Brian Wilson and Tony Asher - Sarah Aladetan
“Home” by Luciana Souza – Briana Chavez (with ensemble as backing)
“Object Devotion” by Luciana Souza, Lauren Kinhan, Peter Eldridge (Ensemble)
About Luciana Souza
Grammy winner Luciana Souza is one of Jazz’s leading singers and interpreters. Born in São Paulo, Brazil, in the late sixties, she grew up in a family of Bossa Nova innovators - her father, a singer and songwriter, her mother, a poet and lyricist. Luciana’s work as a performer transcends traditional boundaries around musical styles, offering solid roots in jazz, sophisticated lineage in world music, and an enlightened approach to new music.
As a leader, Luciana Souza has been releasing acclaimed recordings since 2002 - including her six Grammy-nominated records Brazilian Duos, North and South, Duos II, Tide, Duos III, and The Book of Chet. Her debut recording for Universal, The New Bossa Nova, was produced by her husband, Larry Klein, and was met with widespread critical acclaim. Luciana’s recordings also include two works based on poetry - The Poems of Elizabeth Bishop And Other Songs, and Neruda.
Luciana’s latest offering is the brilliant Speaking in Tongues, a collaboration with Lionel Loueke, Gregoire Maret, Massimo Biolcati and Kendrick Scott, also produced by Larry Klein. The recording is comprised of all original music and features Luciana’s musical setting of two poems by Leonard Cohen.
Ms. Souza has performed and recorded with greats including Herbie Hancock (on his Grammy winning record, River – The Joni Letters), Paul Simon, James Taylor, Bobby McFerrin, Maria Schneider, Danilo Perez and many others. Her longstanding duo work with Brazilian guitarist Romero Lubambo has earned her accolades across the globe, and her complete discography contains more than 50 records as a side singer. Luciana Souza’s singing has been called "transcendental, "perfect, " and of "unparalleled beauty. " Entertainment Weekly writes, "Her voice traces a landscape of emotion that knows no boundaries. "
Luciana Souza has been a prominent soloist in two important works by composer Osvaldo Golijov – La Pasion According to St. Mark, and Oceana. She has performed with the Bach Akademie Stuttgart, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Brooklyn Philharmonic. Other orchestral appearances include performances with the New York Philharmonic, the Atlanta Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and the American Composers Orchestra. Her work in chamber music includes a fruitful collaboration with the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet and with composers Derek Bermel and Patrick Zimmerli.
Ms. Souza began her recording career at age three with a radio commercial, and recorded more than 200 jingles and soundtracks, becoming a first-call studio veteran at age sixteen. She spent four years on faculty at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she received a Bachelor’s in Jazz Composition. Ms. Souza earned a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from New England Conservatory of Music and taught for four years at Manhattan School of Music, in New York City. From 2005 to 2010, Luciana was the Jazz Artist in Residence with the prestigious San Francisco Performances. In 2005 and 2013 Luciana was awarded Best Female Jazz Singer by the Jazz Journalists Association.
Billboard magazine has said of Luciana: "she continues her captivating journey as a uniquely talented vocalist who organically crosses genre borders. Her music soulfully reflects, wistfully regrets, romantically woos, joyfully celebrates..."
