Brasil Brazil to Perform at the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts November 15, 2008

An energetic show that has the joyful feel of Carnaval, Ana Gazzola and Sonia Santos perform popular Brazilian music in a variety of styles, with a touch of jazz, and using Latin and African drumming on authentic percussion instruments.

Afro-Brazilian jazz vocalist and Los Angeles resident Sonia Santos has been a symbol of Brazilian Popular Music for many years, intertwining the cultural influence of African rhythms with an exotic Brazilian beat. Her musical career began in 1977, when she starred in the Brazilian Follies at the Hotel National in Rio de Janeiro. She went on to produce her own show, Brazilian Summer, and has been enthusiastically received on six continents.

Ana Gazzola, from Caxias do Sul, the southern-most state of Brasil, began her professional career singing as an opening act for the world-famous bolero singer Lucho Gatica in his South American tour. Later, she moved to Rio de Janeiro where she was headlined at the famous jazz club Caligula in the heart of Ipanema Beach. Ms. Gazzola toured Brasil, vocalizing to sold-out houses as an opening act for Baden Powell and Luis Carlos Vinhas and has entertained audiences in Europe, Asia and North America, where she has lived for the past 15 years. Fluent in Portuguese and English, Gazzola writes many of the songs she performs.

Mark Bialczak of Herald American, New York, wrote, "With a lavish splash of color this happy ensemble educates and entertains with the best of Brazilian Jazz," and Betty Francis of The Desert Sun, Calif., added, "If you've never been to Rio, this show had to be the next best thing."

$25 and $30; Grand Box Seats additional $15.00; Parterre Seating additional $5.00. Purchase online, by phone or in person. Box office hours Monday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and one hour prior to each performance. Group tickets available.

Official Website: http://www.atthegrand.org