Mauricio DeSouza Trio April 30, 2008

Born in Braslia, Brazil, Maurcio de Souza is a jazz drummer who easily performs in both traditional jazz and Brazilian jazz styles. His good taste and finesse have allowed him to play in numerous settings with various accomplished musicians. Maurcio studied with world renowned jazz drummer and master teacher, Joe Morello for eight years. He also had a year of private studies with distinguished all-round percussion teacher Glenn Weber. Aside from the inspiration of Mr. Morello, other influential performers include Buddy Rich and Airto Moreira. Maurcio has been very active in the NY/NJ metropolitan area, performing at some of the finest jazz clubs not only as a side man but also as a band leader. In New York, hes been heard at Smoke, Garage, Cornelia St. Cafe, Cachaa Jazz N' Samba Club, Cleopatras Needle, Kitano Hotel, Via Brasil, Brazil Grill, Village Underground, Oliva, C Note, ICU Bar, Land & Sea in the Bronx, and Wicky Lounge in Suffern (NY). In New Jersey, Maurcio has been heard at Trumpets (Montclair), Priory (Newark), Cornerstone (Metuchen), Deltas (New Brunswick), Cecils (West Orange), Savoy Grill (Newark), Dancing Goat (South Orange), Cross Roads (Garwood), Giambotta (Cedar Grove), Milan (Pine Brook), Luna Rossa (Clifton), Bistecca (Embassy Suites Hotel-Parsippany), Jonos (Edgewater), Mohawk House (Sparta), Barca Velha (Little Falls), Church St. Cafe (Montclair), The Restaurant (Hackensack), and Colors (W. Caldwell). In Philadelphia, hes been heard at Chriss and Ortliebs jazz clubs. In Connecticut, he's performed at Cubata (Waterbury). Internationally, Maurcio has performed in Braslia, Brazil with his quartet/quintet at Gate's Pub, Restaurante Feitio Mineiro, Schlob Bar e Restaurante, C'Est Si Bon, and Jazz Cafe (as a side man). Maurcio has also performed at the 2004 Campbell Music Festival in Camden, NJ, the 2005 Burlington County (NJ) Music Festival, at the 2005 Chester (NJ) Music Festival, and at the 2006 and 2007 Church St. Music Festival (Montclair, NJ). Other performances include appearances as a guest percussionist in numerous orchestral performances with the Bergen Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Orchestra, and the Orquestra Sinfnica do Teatro Nacional Cludio Santoro de Braslia (Brazil). The Maurcio de Souza Quartet performs a variety of jazz standards from Miles to Metheny. The group concentrates on performing the most refined tunes from each of the jazz eras. The challenging arrangements include tunes in 3/4, 5/4, and 7/4 time as well as modal tunes. Esteemed performers Andrew Beals (alto sax) and Lee Marvin (bass) have contributed highly to the advanced melodic material and intense drive of the group. Maurcio's other group, Bossa Brasil, performs the most sophisticated Brazilian music. The repertoire includes compositions from Brazils most outstanding artists such as Tom Jobim, Egberto Gismonti, Roberto Menescal, Milton Nascimento, Victor Assis Brasil, and Pixinguinha. Some of the even more exotic rhythms explored by the trio include the Baio and the "Chorinho." Esteemed Brazilian performers Hlio Alves (piano), Nilson Matta (bass), and Aloisio Aguiar (piano) have contributed highly to the authentic sound of the group.

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