Joao Bosco and his very talented band of Gutto Wirtti on bass, Kiko Freitas on drums, and Ricardo Silveira on guitar, all coming up from Rio, will light up Birdland‘s stage May 2 through May 6 with their special brand of music rooted and in classic samba and bossa nova traditions, yet steeped in rock ‘n’ roll, jazz and other ethnic flavors such as Arab culture, and African-American music.
He grew up in a musical family, his mother a concert pianist and his brother a composer. Bosco concentrated on American jazz, particularly Miles Davis, and the bossa nova sounds of Joao Gilberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim. He met Vinicius de Morais, who contributed lyrics to his music, and later teamed up with Aldir Blanc who wrote lyrics for Bosco for more than a decade. He went on to make many important recordings and to have his songs recorded by greats such as Elis Regina. As a composer, his melodic and harmonic constructions are among the most auspicious in Brazilian music.
Joao Bosco is revered for writing the protest song “O Bebaido e a Equilibrista,” which became the theme song for Amnesty International. His American breakthrough came when he was a guest on a recording with jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour.
The New York Times said of Bosco “…On acoustic guitar he was masterly picking out the subtle syncopation of samba rhythms..a musician complete within himself … a ferocious performer with a kind of trance-state of precision and energy!”
The basic ingredient of his music is samba, Brazil’s cultural own. While singing in Portuguese, he makes you feel that the sound of his words are as important as their meaning.”
40 years later, with world tours and many important recordings, Birdland is proud to present this legendary musician and his brilliant artistry.
Two shows each night May 2 through May 6. For tickets and more information call 212-581-3080 or visit http://www.birdlandjazz.com/event/1443417-legendary-joao-bosco-direct-new-york/
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