Veronneau, the quartet lead by French Canadian vocalist Lynn Veronneau, celebrates the upcoming release of their new recording “The Jazz Samba Project” with a concert at the Mainstay in Rock Hall, MD on Saturday May 12 at 8:00 p.m. Admission is $15. For information and reservations call 410-639-9133. Information is also available at the Mainstay’s website .
Veronneau has a sparkling jazz-pop sound that features elements of bossa nova, samba, swing and gypsy jazz. In June the group will release “The Jazz Samba Project,”a recording of classic samba, bossa nova and original material along with some jazz and pop classics given a bossa nova treatment – all inspired by the Charlie Byrd and Stan Getz 1962 recording “Jazz Samba.” This concert will preview music from this new recording.
Based in the Washington DC area, the group is ideally suited to celebrate the samba and bossa nova. Their first recording, “Joie de Vivre” (Joy of Living), included bossa nova, samba, Gypsy Jazz and swing tunes collected from around the world. Canadian music critic Jordan Richardson called the album “a cultured compendium of musical styles surrounding an astonishing voice.” Earning praise from critics worldwide, the album hit the top ten at radio stations in many countries and jumped to No. 9 in the world music category of the Jazzweek charts.
“The Jazz Samba Project” was inspired by the landmark recording “Jazz Samba”, recorded 50 years ago (April 1962) by guitarist Charlie Byrd and saxophonist Stan Getz and also featuring guitarist/bassist Gene (Joe) Byrd, bassist Keter Betts and drummers Bill Reichenbach and Buddy Deppenschmidt. “Jazz Samba” shot up to No. 1 on the Billboard pop charts where it remained for 70 weeks launching the nearly unknown Brazilian bossa nova into the mainstream. Today samba and bossa nova are played by jazz musicians around the world and enjoyed by a millions of fans.
Leading the quartet is vocalist Lynn Veronneau who has a warm, compelling voice, a love of powerful melodies, a sophisticated sense of phrasing and a heartfelt focus on the story She is joined by her husband, British guitarist and former lead singer for the Otis Grand blues band, Ken Avis, guitarist and composer David Rosenblatt who was classically trained in Brazil and drummer Pete Walby who suggested the jazz samba recording project. Respected Canadian saxophonist Jeff Antoniuk, who also appears on Veronneau’s new recording, will join the band for this preview concert.
Formed just two years ago in Northern Virginia, Veronneau was immediately popular in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Last summer’s whirlwind tours included smash performances in Canada and the U.K and the band’s website has seen visitors from over 100 countries. Visit www.veronneaumusic.com for more information and music samples.
For this special preview concert, Veronneau will perform tunes from their new recording including a samba piece, “E Luxo So” featuring Lynn Veronneau singing the Portuguese lyrics. The enduring classic also appeared on the 1962 Jazz Samba album. Also featured are the bossa nova favorite “Meditation” and some new material such as their own crowd pleasing bossa nova arrangement of the Bob Marley megahit, “Waiting in Vain.”
The Mainstay’s history makes this pre-release “Jazz Samba Project” celebration unique. Charlie Byrd played there in the Mainstay’s early years in the late 90s and then told many of his musician friends about it. That was the beginning of the Mainstay’s ever growing reputation as an intimate out of the way place to see world-class jazz. Byrd’s widow Rebecca Byrd serves on the Mainstay board and Charlie Byrd’s memorabilia lines the walls of the Mainstay’s lobby, The Byrd Room.
This celebratory concert will be followed by a May 20 concert and panel discussion at All Souls Unitarian Church in Washington, DC – the place where the original 1962 “Jazz Samba” album was recorded by Charlie Byrd, Stan Getz and their band.
The Mainstay (Home of Musical Magic) is the friendly informal storefront performing arts center on Rock Hall’s old time Main Street. It is a 501(c)(3), non profit dedicated to the arts, serving Rock Hall, MD and the surrounding region. It is committed to presenting local, regional and national level talent, at a reasonable price, in an almost perfect acoustic setting. Wine, beer, sodas and snacks are available at the bar.
The Mainstay is supported by ticket sales, fundraising including donations from friends and audience members and an operating grant from the Maryland State Arts Council. .
For information and reservations call the Mainstay at 410-639-9133. More information is also available at the Mainstay’s website .
Upcoming Mainstay performances include:
May 26 Honey Dewdrops
June 1 Tribute to Pete Seeger: Betty and the Boomers
June 2 Tribute to Pete Seeger: Tom Paxton
June 9 Guy Davis
June 16 Red Mountain (free outdoor concert)
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