Laguna Beach Live! presents Leo Nobre and Nobresil at LB Woman’s Club
When some people think of Brazilian music, they think only of samba and the colorful dance parades of Carnaval. But the musical traditions of Brazil are as rich and varied as the cultures of Brazil’s teeming cities. So when a young man learns to love and play music in Rio de Janeiro, his learns to love and play a great variety of music.

Leo Nobre, one of those eclectic Rio-bred musicians, brings his love of music and band Nobresil to the Laguna Beach Women’s Club on Thursday, April 15 at 6pm. Part of the Inside World Music series presented by Laguna Beach Live!, the evening begins with a demo by Nobre of Brazilian rhythms, accompanied by samba instructor to get the crowd up and moving before the band uncorks its irresistible magic.

“There are only two types of music — good and bad,” writes Brazilian bass player Leo Nobre. “I like the good stuff: Bach, Villa-Lobos, Hermeto, Egberto Gismonti, Johny Alf, Jobim, Jaco, Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Pixinguinha, Duke Ellington, John Cage, Stravinski, Rachmaninoff…” and the list goes on.

Since he arrived in the USA as a student of classical string bass and composition, Leo Nobre’s career has expanded to include working with some of the greats in jazz and tropical music, including Sergio Mendes with whom he toured for five years. His bass has taken him to many of the world’s major jazz festivals – Montreaux, Copenhagen and Playboy Jazz, among others. Now based in Southern California, he has assembled Nobresil, a quintet with drums, percussion, voice, and keyboards/guitar. Leo Nobre’s music can be sampled online at http://www.myspace.com/leobassnobre.

Infectious rhythms, pleasing melodies, memories of warm nights on tropical beaches – Brazilian music engages the senses! At Nobresil’s April 15 concert the senses will be teased further, with a tasting of South American wines (adults over 21 only for the wine tasting, of course, but all ages are welcome at the dance).

Tickets are on sale now, $30 in advance; $15 for students under 21. $35/adult and $20 for students at the door, Woman’s Club of  Laguna Beach, 286 St. Ann’s St.  Buy tickets online at www.lagunabeachlive.org or call Laguna Beach Live! at (949) 715-9713.

While using a similar instrumentation to the traditional big bands of the 1930s and 40s, the Big Phat Band has a highly modern-day sound, highlighted by driving rhythms and extreme virtuosity.

The Band is led by Gordon Goodwin who composes most, and arranges all of the group’s performance pieces, as well as playing piano and occasionally tenor saxophone, and who is a three-time Emmy Award winner, an eight-time Grammy nominee, and recent winner of a 48th annual Grammy award for Best Instrumental Arrangement.

Through the writing genius of Gordon Goodwin, SRO audiences have enjoyed one of the most craftsman-like hard swinging large jazz ensembles comprised of L.A.’s finest musicians.  Gordon’s witty and insightful arrangements propel the listener on a journey through a myriad of styles:  Latin, blues, swing, classical, hard-hitting jazz, and even an homage to Looney Tunes (!).

More…
• Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band made their Hollywood Bowl debut in June 2005 as headliners in the Playboy Jazz Festival.
• The Big Phat Band made its debut appearance on national TV on NBC’s “The Other Half,” hosted by Dick Clark.
• “Swingin’ For The Fences” secured a prestigious spot on Air Force One’s onboard entertainment system.
• The Big Phat Band has garnered excellent critical reviews and praise for its many appearances nationally and in the Los Angeles area.
• Members of the Big Phat Band have performed and recorded with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, including Madonna, Celine Dion, Billy Joel, Quincy Jones, Diana Krall, Johnny Mathis, Ray Charles, Paul McCartney, Toni Braxton, Christina Aguilera, Diana Ross, Supertramp, Patti Austin, Brian Setzer, Paul Anka, and can be heard on many Motion Picture soundtracks including “The Incredibles,” “Coach Carter,” “Sideways,” “The Majestic,” “Analyze This,” “Remember The Titans,” “Gone in Sixty Seconds,” “Armageddon,” “Ace Ventura, Pet Detective,” “Enemy of the State” and many more.

Members of the Big Phat Band have distinguished themselves as recording artists and soloists in the jazz field, including Eric Marienthal, Wayne Bergeron (also a Grammy nominee), Andy Martin, Bob Summers, Luis Conte, Bernie Dresel, and Grant Geissman.

Bass: Leo Nobre

Vocals: Mari Nobre

Guitar/Vocals: Mitchell Long

Drums: Leo Costa

Gibi (GB): percussion

Musicians’ bio and credits:

Bass: Leo Nobre, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was exposed to many kinds of music at an early age. The music of Brazil is rich and he explored its’ many different styles with local musicians and music professors. He moved to the U.S. to pursue his music studies in composition, arranging and jazz in the University of Miami. Since then he has performed, toured and recorded with many artists. Leo toured as the bass player for Sergio Mendes`band for more than 5 years. Leo`s interview was recently published on Bass Player magazine. Leo Nobre performed on many TV shows including Jay Leno and in the most famous venues and Jazz Festivals all over the world. To name just a few: Copenhagen Jazz festival, Umbria Jazz, NorthSea Jazz Festival,  Montreaux Jazz Festival, Playboy Jazz Festival, Detroit Jazz Festival, S. Jose Jazz Festival, Cancun Jazz Festival and many others. He recorded in 2006 the Grammy awarded CD Timeless  from Sergio Mendes on the tracks with Stevie Wonder, will.i.am (Black Eyed Peas), and Jill Scott. Leo also recorded and played with Jovino Santos Neto who was the piano/keys for the Hermeto Paschoal group for over 15 years, both living legends.

Vocals: Mari Nobre, multi talented performer, started to sing as a child and performed in her first national tour at the age of fourteen in Italy. She performed live for years both as a background vocalist for the most famous Italian and European singers and as a solo artist. Soon RCA called her to work in Milan on recording projects which appeared numerous times on the billboard. Her interest for World Music and Jazz encouraged her to move to New York where she created her own original band (Passion Latina). She enriched her musical experience performing and learning from true legends of the Latin Jazz scene like Celia Cruz, Mario Rivera, Paquito di Rivera, Dave Valentin, and many others. Mari also worked for several NY producers as a singer and a songwriter, always with great versatility. Three years ago she moved to Los Angeles, where she is busy recording and performing. She performed last year in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, with international musicians currently touring with famous artists like Djavan, Ivan Lins and Sergio Mendes. She is currently writing new songs for her upcoming World Jazz CD and collaborating with twice Grammy nominated musician and arranger Jovino Santo Netos.

Drums:Leo Costa, very versatile drummer born in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, graduated from the famous Berklee School of Music of Boston and moved to Los Angeles where he soon became one of the most requested musicians both in the R&B, Hip Hop world and the Jazz and Latin scene. He performed and recorded with very accredited artists, such as Olga Tanon, Eric Marienthal, Marcos Ariel, Weber Iago Trio, Airto Moreira to name a few.

Guitar: Mitchell Long, great virtuoso of guitar, has recorded and performed with:Sergio Mendes, Usher, Vinx, Ozomatli, Ron Miles, Claudio Roditi, Herbie Mann, Dr Lonnie Smith, Paul McCandless, George Howard, Art Lande, Peter Sprague, Claudio Slon, Rudy Love and the Love Family, The Organ Grinders, Pat Bianci, Pau Brasil, Hazel Miller, Brad Upton, Nelson Rangel, Mary Ann Moore, Bill Summers, Angela Hagenbach, Michele Shocked, Rare Silk, Nathan Watts, Mark Soskin, Buddy Williams, Frank Colon, Janice Siegel, Paul Jackson Jr., Jeff Jenkins, Eduardo “Bijoux” Barbosa, Eric Gunnison and Wake Up Call, and Joe Bonner among others.

Percussion: Gibi, from Salvador, Bahia, one of the most important places for Afro-World percussion in the world. He currently tours with Sergio Mendes. He has performed with Airto Moreira another legend of Brazilian percussion. Gibi also organizes many percussion bands in the style of his native Bahia every year for the “Brazilian Carnaval”, always with exuberance and enthusiasm.

Mariachi Reyna

Join us in celebration. 2010 is  the Bicentennial of  México’s  independence and the Centennial of the Méxican Revolution.

Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach

Tickets are $25. $20, $15/adult and $15/student, 21 & under. Buy tickets through the Playhouse at 949.297-2787.

Bearfoot-Doors-and-Windows

Concert with BEARFOOT BAND is 5 to 7 pm.  BEARFOOT presents unique sounds ranging from traditional bluegrass to original jazz compositions that captivate audiences across the nation.
Tickets are $12/adult in advance and $15/at the door; children, 12 and under, are $7 advance and $10 at the door. Purchase online on our website or call 800.595.4849. Chairs provided, theater style.

Some VIP tables are available (tables for 4 are $110 and tables for 8 are $220), which include concert tickets and tax deductible donation. To reserve, leave a message at  949-715-9713.

BBQ by Aliso Creek Inn, 4pm-7 pm, is priced separately. Proceeds benefit school outreach programs.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26         BILL HOLMAN’S BIG BAND

billhollman

Reserved seating: $20-25/adult and $10/students 21 & under. Purchase online on our website or call 800.595.4849.

Alexander Sack, electric guitar

alexander sack

The concert is 3:00 to 4:30 pm in Studio 6 of the Laguna College of Art & Design, 2222 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Just a few miles from downtown Laguna, the lovely campus offers ample and complimentary parking. The College Art Gallery opens at 2:00 pm to view the current exhibition and is open during intermission.

Among Ms. Bachmann’s numerous competition victories are First Prizes at the Fritz Kreisler Competition in Vienna, the Concert Artists Guild Competition in New York and the Pro Musicis Foundation Award. These distinctions were followed by acclaimed debuts with the St. Louis Symphony under Leonard Slatkin, the National Symphony at the Kennedy Center with Robert Spano and with Marin Alsop conducting the Pacific Symphony in Los Angeles.

An active guest soloist abroad, Ms. Bachmann has been heard with the Taipei Symphony, Shanghai Symphony, MAV Symphony in Budapest, the Brabants Orchestra of the Netherlands, and with the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra on tour in Japan. She has performed recitals in Tokyo, Kyoto, London, Paris, Shanghai, Taipei, Vienna, Budapest, The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Herbst Theater in San Francisco, Ambassador Auditorium in Los Angeles, New York’s Town Hall, Merkin Hall and Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, and in Boston’s Jordan Hall. Of Hungarian descent, Ms. Bachmann is noted for her performance of Bela Bartok, and was invited by the Library of Congress to recreate the legendary Szigeti/Bartok recital of 1940 in a nationally broadcast performance there.
Highlights of the 2008-09 season include the world premiere of Philip Glass’s first Sonata for Violin and Piano commissioned for Ms. Bachmann. She performed the premiere of the Glass Sonata at The Whitaker Center in Harrisburg, PA for Market Square Concerts in February 2009. Ms. Bachmann also performs recitals at the St. Petersburg Museum of Art in Florida, in Newtown, CT, Gretna Music in Mt. Gretna, PA, and in New York City for the Anne Ratnor/Camp Hill Village benefit series. Ms. Bachmann performs at Spivey Hall in Atlanta as guest artist with the Georgian Chamber Players in May 2009, and will perform the world premiere of Paul Moravec’s Violin Concerto at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia in May 2010.
In 2007-08, Ms. Bachmann concerto appearances included Vivaldi Concertos at Carnegie’s Zankel Hall in New York with The Little Orchestra Society, the world premiere of Jay Reise’s Violin Concerto at Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center with Orchestra 2001, and performances of John Corigliano’s Red Violin Concerto with the Waukesha Symphony in Wisconsin. Ms. Bachmann performed recitals in Boston’s Jordan Hall, Brooklyn’s Museum of Art for the Corigliano Festival celebrating his 70th Birthday (presented by The Brooklyn Philharmonic), at LACMA in Los Angeles for the “Sundays Live” broadcasts, and at The Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, NJ.

Ms. Bachmann continues her role as Artistic Director of Telluride MusicFest in Colorado for the seventh year in summer 2009 where Philip Glass will be Composer-in-Residence.
She performs frequently at many festivals including Bravo! Vail Festival in Vail, CO, The Ameila Island Festival, The Caramoor Festival, Maverick Concerts and Cooperstown Festivals in New York, The Moab Festival, The Grand Canyon Festival, and The Cape Cod Festival.

Ms. Bachmann has been a notable performer of John Corigliano’s Red Violin Concerto, and has been heard in this work with the Omaha Symphony, Chicago Humanities Festival Orchestra, the Richmond Symphony, and at Royce Hall in Los Angeles with the Mancini Institute Orchestra. “The Red Violin,” Ms. Bachmann’s latest recording which includes music of Corigliano, Moravec, Ravel, Copland and Gershwin, was released in February 2007 on Endeavour Classics. It was chosen by BBC Music Magazine as the “North American CD of the Month” in May 2007, and selected as Classical Gold: Top Ten cds of 2007 by NPR’s WGBH in Boston.

Ms. Bachmann has been equally successful as a performer of the established repertoire
and as champion of contemporary music. Her recordings for the BMG/Conifer label of the Beethoven and Mendelssohn violin concertos with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic conducted by Libor Pesek have been praised for their elegance and musical insight.
Her CD “Fratres” features a recital of works by John Corigliano, Arvo Pärt, Paul Moravec, Albert Glinsky and Olivier Messiaen on the BMG/Catalyst label. This issue drew critical plaudits, receiving a “Best Classical Recording of the Year” rating from the New York Daily News. It was subsequently re-issued on the RCA Red Seal label in 2005. Ms. Bachmann has recorded a recital disc titled “Kiss On Wood” for BMG/Catalyst, “Rhapsody” for Violin and Orchestra by Ian Krouse for Koch, violin sonatas by Beethoven and George Rochberg for the Connoisseur Society and concertos by Lou Harrison for Argo and Koch labels.
Ms. Bachmann has premiered many new works including those of George Rochberg, Leon Kirchner, James MacMillan, Sebastian Currier and 2004 Pulitzer Prize-winner Paul Moravec, who has written a total of fourteen works for Ms. Bachmann ranging from a violin concerto to works for violin and piano and other chamber forms. Moravec’s 2004 Pulitzer Prize-winning work, TEMPEST FANTASY, was composed for her chamber group, Trio Solisti, with whom she maintains an active touring schedule. She has made numerous recordings with Trio Solisti including their own arrangement of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, Brahms Trios, and music of Paul Moravec.
Maria Bachmann studied at The Curtis Institute of Music with Ivan Galamian and Szymon Goldberg, and was awarded Curtis’s Fritz Kreisler Prize for outstanding graduating violinist. She performs on a 1782 violin by Nicolo Gagliano. www.mariabachmann.com