On Thursday March 28, Vera’s Heartbeat celebrates beloved Brazilian lyricist, composer and poet Vinícius de Moraes’ 105th birthday with a unique tribute show featuring local musicians and a very special guest – the poet’s beloved granddaughter, the singer Mariana de Moraes.
The evening will include performances of samba, bossa nova, Brazilian jazz, Afro-Samba, and poetry. The band members are Mika Mutti (keys), Ted Falcon (violin and mandolin), Lucio Vieira (on drums), John Leftwich (on bass), Nando Duarte (7-string guitar) and special guest Scott Mayo (saxophone, flute).
Singer Mariana de Moraes was born in Rio de Janeiro into a family of artists, her father is the photographer Pedro de Moraes (the son of Vinicíus de Moraes) and her mother is actress Vera Barreto Leite. She began singing in childhood, encouraged by her famous grandfather.
Nicknamed “O Poetinha” (“The little poet”), Vinicíus de Moraes was a Brazilian poet, lyricist, writer and playwright, who even served as vice-consul at the Brazilian embassy in Los Angeles, his first diplomatic post. While in Los Angeles he became close with Brazilian musicians stateside including Carmen Miranda and her Bando da Lua, and befriended Orson Welles. Also, while living in Los Angeles he wrote his books “Livro de sonetos” (“Book of Sonnets”) and “Novos poemas II” (“New Poems II”).
He helped define Bossa Nova in the 60’s, partnering with many other musicians. Inspired by the then-18-year-old beauty Heloisa Pinheiro, with Tom Jobim he co-wrote the classic “Girl from Ipanema” which has become an international hit and the second most-recorded song in history. In fact, The U.S. Library of Congress added “Girl From Ipanema” to the National Recording Registry designating it as an “culturally, historically, or aesthetically important” song. Tom Jobim, master guitarist João Gilberto, and Vinicíus de Moraes became known as the founders of Bossa Nova.
Mariana de Moraes performs elegant recreations of Brazilian music classics and sambas from the 30s to 50s enchanting audiences with a rare sensibility, breath-taking tone and intellectual curiosity. She has a compassionate ability to shepherd her listeners into an audience with the luminaries she holds dear. Her voice weaves delicate nuance into timeless songs. Her artistry holds each of us in a spellbound partnership. More info here.
Event: Celebrating vinicius de Moraes
Date(s): 28/03/2019
Day(s): Thursday
Time(s): 9pm
Address: 123 Astronaut E S Onizuka St. Suite 301
Phone: 2136200908
Cost: $20
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