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Panorama Brasil

"The backbone of this show is Panorama Brasil, the amazing outfit put together by percussionist Alastair Kerr...a dream combo to deliver the sounds of Jobim."

Tracey Korsten, Glam Adelaide

 

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Panorama Brasil draws on the diverse musical landscape of Brazil: music with influences from the arid interior, the Amazonian basin, and the streets of Rio and Salvador - samba, MPB, bossa, folkloric music and regional styles mixed with jazz and more.

Musical director of Panorama Brasil is drummer/composer Alastair Kerr , a long-time student of Brazilian music, and recognised as one of Australia's leading exponents of Brazilian percussion. Kerr is known for his work with groups such as The Doug de Vries Trio, The New Sheiks, Sexteto Zona Sul, and Trio Agogo, and leads this stellar group.  

Panorama Brasil have performed at the 2013 Melbourne International Jazz Festival, 2014 Stonnington Jazz Festival, 2015 Adelaide Cabaret Festival (with Vince Jones and Alda Rezende), and 2017 Melbourne International Jazz Festival (with Vince Jones and Doug de Vries).  In 2017 they performed a sold-out Melbourne Recital Centre concert of Os Afro Sambas (with Alda Rezende), and they returned to the MRC in 2018 with Brazil's Modern Poets.

Panorama Brasil released their debut album, The Archer & the Dancer, in 2013, with the album being nominated for an Australian Jazz Bell Award.  In 2015 they released their second album, Flor de Pedra, featuring Jacq Gawler, Diana Clark, and Doug de Vries.  November 2016 saw the premiere of Kerr's second major work for the ensemble - Chant/Call: Stories of the Gods.  This suite draws on Kerr's extensive study of the Afro-Brazilian rhythms of Candomble, and the recording was released as their 3rd album in 2020.

Regular perfomers include: Asha Henfry (flute), Al Parsons (trombone), Matt Boden (piano), Jorge Albuquerque (bass & guitar), Rodrigo Salgado (bass) and special guests including Doug de Vries, Alda Rezende, Jacqueline Gawler and Diana Clark.

www.panoramabrasil.com.au

YouTube channel

The Alastair Kerr Quartet

Al Kerr FrontCover WEBThe Alastair Kerr Quartet was formed in 2009, primarily as a vehicle for Kerr's compositions. A distinctly Australian sound, but clearly influenced by a love of Brazilian and Cuban music, the group’s sound combines a quirky harmonic sense and high level of group interaction.  The first edition of this quartet was underpinned by the responsive rhythm section of Kerr and Sam Zerna (bass), with Marc Hannaford’s energetic and highly rhythmic work on piano spurring on trumpeter Pat Thiele in his improvisations – alternatively angular and cascading – in a band that uses delicacy and space in equal measure with intense, driving grooves.

In 2017 Alastair launched the new edition of this group, with the exciting young talents of Stephen Byth (sax), Daniel Mougerman (piano), and Jordan Tarento (bass).  Following Byth's move to Boston to undertake his Masters at Berklee, trumpeter Paul Williamson joined the group.

In 2010 the Quartet opened for Chucho Valdes at the Melbourne Recital centre, and this was followed by the release of their debut album The Ultimate Fate of... Buy the album here!

 

Trio Agogo

Trio Agogo features three of Australia’s finest exponents of Brazilian music – guitarists Paul Carey and Adam May, with percussionist Alastair Kerr. Trio Agogo perform classic works from the choro repertoire, as well as originals by Carey. In addition to the standard 6-string guitar, this group features the Brazilian 7-string guitar, and the ukulele-like cavaquinho. Percussionist Kerr focuses on the quintessential Brazilian percussion instrument – the pandeiro – but also brings are range of textures and rhythms to the group with his collection of authentic instruments.

Formed in 2010, the group released their debut album - The Story of Benjamin Constant - in January 2012. All three musicians have spent extensive time studying and performing in Brazil, and bring an authentic touch to their performances.

Visit us at www.trioagogo.com

 

The Doug de Vries Trio

Doug de Vries is one of Australia’s foremost guitarists and a significant composer for the guitar, excelling in many musical genres, from jazz to choro, samba and bossa nova. He is considered Australia’s leading exponent of Brazilian guitar repertoire and recently released a solo album of Brazilian repertoire, DdV Solo. He is particularly noted for his sophisticated accompaniments, deep knowledge, and daring improvisations - in jazz and other settings.

In this Trio he is joined by bassist Frank Di Sario and drummer/percussionist Alastair Kerr. Di Sario has performed with the cream of Australian jazz, including Paul Grabowsky, Dale Barlow and Don Burrows, and has also appeared alongside international artists such as George Coleman jr, and Nigel Kennedy. Kerr is an in-demand percussionist in Australia's burgeoning Brazilian music scene, as well as leading his own jazz groups, Panorama do Brasil and The Alastair Kerr Quartet.

De Vries leads the Trio through a broad range of Brazilian music - afro-sambas, bossa nova, choro, forró and Brazilian jazz. Their performances convey the depth and beauty of this music while maintaining the spontaneity of jazz, with intricate interplay seamlessly woven through the sublime rhythms of Brazil.

The Trio has played to full houses at the Melbourne International and Wangaratta Jazz Festivals, and opened for legendary Brazilian musician Hermeto Pascoal at the Melbourne Recital Centre.

Visit us at www.dougdevries.com

 

Sexteto Zona Sul

Drawing on the rich repertoire of Brazilian Choro, Sexteto Zona Sul is a Melbourne combo put together by Doug de Vries, a leading exponent of this mostly instrumental music. Featuring classic compositions by Jacob do Bandolim, Pixinguinha and new original works in an ever expanding genre that combines polka and samba with virtuosity and ingenuity.

Doug de Vries – mandolin & tenor guitar
Asha Henfry – flute
Adam May – cavaquinho
Ken Murray – guitar
Julian Scheffer – 7-string guitar
Al Kerr – pandeiro

Visit us at www.dougdevries.com

 

Diana May Clark & the Sunny Set

Adventurous Aussie singer-songwriter Diana Clark is blending all her influences in her first single release ‘Sunny Daze’ - an electrifying, hooky 60s pure pop extravaganza. This new mix of Beatlesque 'yeah, yeah, yeah' and pop styles with Diana's well established Brazilian Jazz fluency is both unique and instantly charming. Her groove driven songs speak of willing the sun into the darkest places, family, unity, travel and having an escape plan. The full original album will be released in 2014, including a very special guest appearance from Chico Cesar!

Visit us at www.dianaclark.com.au

 

Upcoming Gigs
Feb 9 Dany Maia - Bar Oussou
Feb 3 Panorama Brasil - Paris Cat
March 1 Dany Maia - Sparta Place

Upcoming Gigs

Please click through the tabs for information on our upcoming gigs.

Feb 3 Panorama Brasil - Paris Cat

Panorama Brasil

Featuring Jacqueline Gawler

Saturday Feb 3, 6pm

Paris Cat Jazz Club

Panorama Brasil are back at the Paris Cat with one of Australia's most adventurous jazz vocalists, Jacqueline Gawler. Join the group for a magical tour through the rich musical landscape of Brazil, with songs from Djavan, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Maria Rita, Roberto Menescal and a spotlight on the compositional brilliance of Milton Nascimento.

Jacqueline has been a regular guest with Panorama Brasil over the past 8 years, but she is also well known for her work with groups such as multi award winning vocal group Coco's Lunch, and America do Sul.  Jacq’s beautiful renditions in authentic Carioca Portuguese, alongside this stellar band, make this a show not to be missed.

The best of samba, bossa nova and Brazilian jazz.  Bookings and info here.

March 1 Dany Maia - Sparta Place

Dany Maia Band

Sparta Place, Brunswick

Friday March 1, 6pm 

 

Straight from the heart of Brazil, Dany Maia introduces the enchanting melodies of Brazilian music to captivated Australian audiences.  Drawing inspiration from her vibrant upbringing in Brazil's cultural melting pot, Dany Maia's musical artistry seamlessly blends the timeless notes of Bossa Nova, Jazz, and Samba hailing from Bahia and Rio de Janeiro.

 

As a multi-faceted artist with an irresistible stage presence, Dany Maia embodies the very essence of Brazil's rich musical heritage.

More about Sparta Place jazz nights here.