Contact: Allison Griffin
Public Relations Associate
503-416-6347
January 29, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … Lush bossa novas. Celebratory sambas. The Oregon Symphony will be featuring an uncommon blend of cool syncopation and bittersweet melody with the jazz group Brasilia on Saturday, February 24 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, February 25 at 3 p.m. and Monday, February 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
Comprised of three Brazilians and three Americans, Brasilia includes some of the most acclaimed practitioners of this style of music anywhere. The members of Brasilia have performed with a virtual who's who list of artists in both the jazz and classical worlds, and have performed at clubs and festivals around the country, including the Blue Note in New York City and the Telluride Jazz Festival in Colorado.
The jazz group features the vocals of Pamela Driggs and the original compositions and arrangements of Ted Moore. Together, Ted and Pamela first formed the idea for Brasilia because of their enduring passion for Brazilian music in general, and bossa nova specifically. In their first recording, "River Wide," they created "some of the most sensitive and resourceful music of the Brazilian genre to come along in years". (Jazziz Magazine). The group also includes Romero Lubambo (guitar), Helio Alves (piano), Sergio Brandau (bass) and Café (percussion).
For two years in the late 1970s Moore served as a percussionist and timpanist with the Rio de Janeiro-based Brazilian Symphony Orchestra. It didn't take him long to embrace the local culture, learn to speak Portuguese, and begin exploring the traditions of Brazilian rhythms. Soon, Moore became one of the first resident foreign musicians to find steady work with some of Brazil's most creative young jazz musicians. His recordings with the late saxophonist Victor Assis Brasil are revered today as coveted collector's items. Moore is currently head of the prestigious Jazz Department at UC Berkeley.
Guest conductor Jeff Tyzik will lead the program. Tyzik has earned a reputation as one of America’s most innovative pops conductors. He is recognized for his brilliant arrangements, original programming, and engaging rapport with audiences of all ages. Principal Pops Conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra for over a decade, he also serves as Principal Pops Conductor of the Vancouver and Winnipeg Symphony Orchestras.
Tickets are $29 to $80 and may be purchased at the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office, located at 923 S.W. Washington. Ticket office hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets can be charged by phone at (503) 228-1353 or (800) 228-7343, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased at Ticketmaster outlets or by calling (503) 224-4400. Discounted tickets for groups of eight or more are available through the group sales hotline at (503) 416-6380. For more information visit www.orsymphony.org.
Media support is provided by K103 and 1190 KEX.
Images and guest artist bios are available at www.orsymphony.org/media.