Jazz, Bossa Nova Artists to Play in March
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
Jazz will be in the air in March. Acclaimed American jazz group Brad Mehldau Trio and Brazilian jazz singer Eliane Elias will bring their unique style of music to Korea next month.
The Brad Mehldau Trio will perform March 4 at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall. The trio is composed of acclaimed pianist Mehldau, bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer and percussionist Jeff Ballard.
Considered an influential jazz pianist, Mehldau has the remarkable talent to create unique improvisations. Aside from playing jazz standards and original compositions, the trio often does jazz interpretations of rock songs like Oasis' ``Wonderwall," and Soundgarden's ``Black Hole Sun," as well as songs by The Beatles and Radiohead.
Mehldau started his music career in New York by playing alongside other jazz artists. He formed his own trio in 1994 with Grenadier and drummer Jorge Rossy, who was later replaced by Ballard.
The trio has toured extensively around the world, and released several albums, including ``Brad Mehldau Trio Live," which was recorded live at The Village Vanguard, in New York City, in October 2006. Mehldau has also collaborated with guitarist Pat Metheny, Joshua Redman and other top jazz artists.
Tickets for the concert range from 20,000 to 100,000 won. Visit ticket.interpark.com or ticket.auction.co.kr. Call (02) 720-3933.
Bossa Nova
Elias, a jazz vocalist and pianist, will take the stage in Korea for the first time at the Goyang Oulim Nuri Arts Center, March 8.
Elias has a distinctive musical style, combining her silky smooth voice, with jazz, classical and Brazilian music. She recently released a new album ``Bossa Nova Stories," a celebration of bossa nova's 50th anniversary. At her concert in Seoul, she is expected to perform bossa nova favorites like ``Girl From Ipanema," ``Chega De Saudade," ``Desafinado" and ``Estate."
Born in Sao Paolo, Brazil, Elias grew up surrounded by bossa nova music. She started playing the piano at age seven, and at 15, she was already teaching the instrument and improvisation at a prestigious music school in Brazil.
At 17, she started performing and working with Brazilian singer-songwriter Toquinho and poet Vinicius de Moraes. She moved to New York City in 1981, and joined the group Steps Ahead.
In 1984, she released her first album, and soon embarked on a solo career. Elias quickly gained recognition for her piano-playing skills, compositions and impressive vocals. Since then, she has released over 18 albums, most of which have topped the Billboard jazz charts.
Elias has been nominated for several Grammy Awards, including Best Jazz Performance in 1995 for her duet with Herbie Hancock. Her interpretations of bossa nova legend Antonio Carlos Jobim's music in two albums, ``Plays Jobim" and ``Sings Jobim," have been critically acclaimed,
Japan has likewise embraced Elias' music, having received three Gold Disc Awards for Best Vocal Album for ``Dreamer" in 2004, ``Around the City" in 2006 and ``Something for You" in 2007.
Bassist Marc Jonhson, drummer Rafael Barata and guitarist Rubens De La Corte will accompany her onto the Korean stage.
Tickets are 70,000, 50,000 and 30,000 won. Call 1577-7766 or visit www.artgy.or.kr.