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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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Roberta Flack was born February 10, 1937 in Black Mountain, North Carolina but raised in Arlington, Virginia, first discovering the work of Black music when she heard Mahalia Jackson and Sam Cooke sing in church. During her early teens excelling at classical piano Howard University gave her a full scholarship and she entered at 15. She changed her major from piano to voice and became an assistant conductor of the university choir.
Graduating from Howard at 19, she began graduate studies in music, but with the sudden death of her father she took a teaching job, which lasted for years in the Washington, DC school system and private lessons from her home. Soon she was performing around town accompanying herself on piano but her star didn’t begin to shine until her voice teacher suggested she turn to pop music. With a performance space built in a Capitol Hill club called Mr. Henry’s it only took the ears of Les McCann to arrange an audition with Atlantic Records. After only 10 hours in the studio, Roberta’s debut album “First Take” was recorded and released.
Flack’s Atlantic recordings did not sell particularly well, until Clint Eastwood chose a song from First Take, “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” for the sound track of Play Misty For Me and it became the biggest hit of 1972. Spending six consecutive weeks at #1 the song earned her first gold record and Record Of The Year Grammy in 1973.
Roberta would go on to record with Donny Hathaway, Peabo Bryson and Maxi Priest; write for television and film, going on to gather more Grammys and hit songs and albums over the course of her career and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Vocalist and pianist Robera Flack died on February 24, 2025 in Manhattan, New York.
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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PATTI AUSTIN
A Night of Legacy, Voice, and Vision. Patti Austin Pays Tribute to Patrick Williams.
Grammy Award-winning vocalist Patti Austin joins the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra and Big Band with Steve Guerra, conductor, for a powerful tribute to the late composer, arranger, and musical visionary Patrick Williams. This unforgettable evening brings to life Williams’ rich, genre-defying legacy—music that was, as lyricist Arthur Hamilton described, “muscular, sensuous, powerful, and captivatingly rhythmical.”
Known for his masterful writing for film, jazz, and the concert hall, Williams received 16 Grammy nominations and a Pulitzer nod for An American Concerto. His music has graced the voices and instruments of legends such as Frank Sinatra, Eddie Daniels, and Tom Scott—and, notably, Patti Austin.
Austin, a revered artist whose career spans jazz, R&B, pop, and the Great American Songbook, brings her unmatched depth, honesty, and elegance to this program. Described by The New York Times as one of the few artists who can authentically channel Ella Fitzgerald, Austin was a close collaborator of Williams, recording several of his works including the GRAMMY-nominated “52nd and Broadway” and selections from his Home Suite Home and Sinatraland albums. Her performances offer not only musical brilliance, but a window into the personal connections that animated Williams’ compositions.
Audiences will be treated to a two-set concert featuring Williams’ bold orchestral works followed by a dynamic second half of big band music and heartfelt vocal performances by Austin. Central to the program will be selections from her celebrated For Ella album, bringing Williams’ sophisticated arrangements and Austin’s commanding interpretations of the Great American Songbook to the forefront.
Tickets: $50.00 General Admission | $45.00 Seniors | $15.00 Student
Stream: https://www.youtube.com/live/fyxztdDdmrw
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