Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Sérgio Santos Mendes was born in Niteroi, Rio de Janiero, Brazil on February 11, 1941. S a child he attended the local conservancy with hopes of becoming a classical pianist. As his interest in jazz grew, he started playing in nightclubs in the late-1950s just as the jazz-inflected derivative of samba known as bossa nova emerged.

Mendes formed the Sexteto Bossa Rio, recorded Dance Moderna in 1961, toured Europe and the U.S., recorded with Cannonball Adderley and Herbie Mann, played Carnegie Hall and then moved to the States in 1964, cutting two albums for Capitol and Atlantic Records.

Sergio would join the Musicians Union, Create Brasil 65, change the name later to Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66, opt not to record Tito Puente’s “Oye Como Va” which would become a hit for Carlos Santana, release “Mas Que Nada” that would take them platinum. He would record “Look Around” and their fourth album “Fool On A Hill”.

His breakout success was with the performance of Burt Bacharach’s “The Look of Love” at the 1968 Academy Awards telecast, ultimately becoming the biggest Brazilian star in the world at the time. He would go on to record for Elektra, Bell, A&M and Concord record labels, collaborate with Stevie Wonder, reunite with Lani Hall on the Bond “Never Say Never Again” soundtrack, record with will.i.am and The Black Eyed Peas, Jill Scott, India Arie and others on his Timeless project, win several Grammys over the course of his fifty-five releases and be twice nominated for an Academy Award for the Look of Love and his contributions to the 2011 film “Rio”.

Bandleader, pianist, composer, arranger and songwriter Sergio Mendes died on September 5, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. He was 83.

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JEREMY PELT & ENDEA OWENS

Jeremy Pelt, celebrated for his virtuosic trumpet playing and collaborations with legends like Roy Hargrove and Cassandra Wilson, draws on his extensive experience as a bandleader and composer to create music that is both thoughtful and bold. This richly textural, Afro-futuristic work is centered on the stories and mysticism of masks, examining the folklore surrounding them and the spiritual power they hold. Featuring vocalist Candice Hoyes, the piece takes on an operatic dimension, with the human voice heightening its drama, ritual, and emotional scope.

Endea Owens, a member of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert band and a Juilliard graduate who has worked with Wynton Marsalis, Jon Batiste, and Diana Ross, infuses her music with passion and purpose shaped by her Detroit roots and deep commitment to community. Her work incorporates vocalists as well as dance company Sekou McMiller + Friends, adding a powerful physical and visual layer that brings the music’s themes of ancestry, grounding, and resilience vividly to life. This composition draws from multiple genres, blending elements of R&B, Gospel, Blues, and beyond.

Jeremy Pelt’s Masks: The Folklore of the Mystics
Jeremy Pelt- trumpet/leader
Candice Hoyes- vocals
Jalen Baker- vibraphone & marimba
Misha Mendelenko- guitar
Lasse Corson- keyboards/piano
Leighton Harrell- bass
Jared Spears- drums
Marie-Ann Hedonia- synthesizer
Charlie Pelt – flute

Endea Owens
Endea Owens – Bass/leader
Irwin Hall – sax
Alphonso Horne – trumpet
Jeffery Miller – trombone
Keith Brown – piano, Fender Rhodes
CV Dashiell – drums
TBD – vocals

Tickets: $62.00 ~ $97.00 | February 20 & 21 @ 7:00pm
Tickets: $52.00 ~ $77.00 | February 21 @ 4:30pm

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TOMI BERRY & OMAR ASKEW

Tomi Berry is a beautiful performer, inside and out, brings natural grace, a rich soulful voice, and spiritual essence to her performances throughout the Atlanta area and beyond. Wherever she sings, she spreads joy, whether singing smooth R&B, swinging jazz, or sultry ballads, she holds an audience in rapt attention.  A spiritual song-stylist, she engages her listeners in musical conversation.

Omar Askew, a 19-year-old student at Kennesaw State University, is dedicated to studying Jazz Performance on the piano. Constantly striving for self-improvement, he aims to excel every time he touches his instrument. In lessons, Omar pushes his students to become the best pianists they can be, helping them achieve their personal goals.

Cover & Parking: Free

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CATHERINE RUSSELL

The Faena Jazz Series kicks off with renowned jazz and blues singer Catherine Russell. A former backup singer for Steely Dan and David Bowie, she is now a Harvard Jazz Master in residence.

In 2016 she recorded the album Harlem on My Mind and her rendition of the Irving Berlin title tune was highly praised by the Jazz Times. Her most recent album, My Ideal, is a collaboration with Sean Mason, and received a 2025 Grammy Nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album.

Tickets: $70.00 ~ $225.00

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BRANDON WOODY’S UPENDO

Brandon Woody is a Baltimore-born, Bach-endorsed trumpeter, composer, and bandleader whose music flows from the rich lineage of Black music, including jazz, gospel, improvisation, and beyond, to explore themes of love, resilience, and community. Hailed by The New York Times and Los Angeles Times as a rising force in contemporary jazz, Woody signed with the legendary Blue Note Records in November 2024 and released his debut album, “For The Love Of It All”, in May 2025. Featuring his longtime band Upendo, the album showcases Woody’s ability to craft music that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

Rooted in Baltimore, Woody has built his career from his hometown, drawing on its vibrant creative culture and community spirit. The Washington Post described Woody’s music as “staggeringly self-assured” and “radiating warmth, purpose, and a sense of place,” reflecting both the clarity of his artistic vision and his deep connection to his community. He has performed with artists such as Terri Lyne Carrington, BADBADNOTGOOD, Danilo Pérez, Casey Benjamin, Marcus Gilmore, the Robert Glasper Black Radio Orchestra, Paul Russell, and Solange Knowles. His television appearances include Godfather of Harlem (MGM+), Lady in the Lake (Apple TV), and The Bride (Warner Bros.

The Band:
Brandon Woody, trumpet
Charlie Powell, guitar
Troy Long, piano
Michael Saunders, bass
Quincy Phillips, drums

Tickets: $30.00 ~ $35.00 +fees
Streaming: $10.00 +fees

More Posts: adventure,bandleader,club,genius,instrumental,jazz,music,preserving,travel,trumpet