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About the Show
“Brazil Afora is a Brazilian collective featuring three of the most talented musicians in the music scene today. With a fresh approach to Jazz and Brazilian Music, these artists represent a generation that looks forward without losing their tradition, mixing different musical languages with their own unique voices.”
-NS Curator Magos Herrera
Magos Herrera, “the best jazz singer out of Mexico” (Jazz Times), handpicks the best of NYC’s Brazilian jazz scene: Brazil Afora, the Alex Kautz Trio, and John Ellis, while also taking the stage herself with her trademarked sultry vocals.
About the Artists
John Ellis
John Ellis, the gifted, versatile saxophonist/clarinetist/composer occupies an imaginary (and extremely imaginative) space directly between the celebratory, welcoming spirit of New Orleans and the edgy, frantic streets of New York City. Both as the leader of his own eclectic projects and as an in-demand sideman for a mind-boggling number and variety of artists, Ellis expresses a keen intellect and easy virtuosity while maintaining a mischievous gleam in his eye and never letting tongue stray far from cheek.
That combination is best showcased in Ellis’ eccentric combo Double-Wide, which recently released its third album, Charm, on Ellis’ own Parade Light Records. While the title is an apt descriptor of the band’s inviting, joyous vibe, its soul is even better captured by the song that gives the album its name: “Charm is Nearly Always Sinister.” That dichotomy perfectly encapsulates Double-Wide’s split metropolitan personality, with a chainsaw-juggling balance of bayou brass, raucous gospel, and devil-may-care modern jazz. Ellis’ band of merry pranksters includes Gary Versace (organ/piano/accordion), Alan Ferber (trombone), Matt Perrine (sousaphone), and Jason Marsalis (drums).
Ellis also leads his own quintet of A-list players, whose most recent album was the 2012 Criss Cross release It’s You I Like. Featuring Mike Moreno (guitar), Aaron Goldberg (piano), Matt Penman (bass), and Rodney Green (drums), the album definitely leans more toward the NYC end of Ellis’ playing spectrum, though its two dedicatees still show off his “serious fun” duality: the repertoire includes songs by moody singer-songwriter Elliott Smith and legendary kids’ TV host Mr. Rogers.
An ambitious composer as well as an agile musician, Ellis in recent years has composed three large-scale narrative pieces commissioned by The Jazz Gallery in collaboration with playwright Andy Bragen. The most recent, MOBRO (released in 2014 on Parade Light), looks at environmental issues through the story of the infamous MOBRO 4000 trash barge.
Alex Kautz
Known for his modern aproach, musicality and touch, Alex has found a unique musical voice as a result of his passion for jazz, world music and brazilian music influence. Born in Sao Paulo Brazil, Alex first went to Berklee College of Music to study a Degree in Professional Music and them moved to NY to study a Masters of Arts in Jazz Performance in Queens College.
Since his arrival in NY Alex has had the opportunity to work with many great musicians such as Tim Ries, John Patitucci, Tim Hagans, Adam Rogers, Aaron Goldberg, Helio Alves, Nilson Matta, Hans Glawischnig, Claudio Roditi, Lionel Loueke, Magos Herrera, Robert Rodriguez, Mike Rodriguez, Paul Bollenback, Romero Lubambo, Phil Dwyer, Ben Monder, Ingrid Jensen and Mike Moreno among others.
Magos Herrera
Born in Mexico City and currently based in New York City, Magos Herrera is considered one of the most beautiful voices and most active vocalists in the contemporary Latin American jazz scene. She is known for her beguiling rhythmic scatting and deep captivating singing. Besides Herrera is a dazzling accomplished singer songwriter who is immensly popular throughout Mexico and Latin America.
Photos by Vanessa Rojo de la Vega
