Celebrating The Legacy Of Brazilian Music with Larry Vuckovich at California Jazz Conservatory

Master jazz pianist Larry Vuckovich had the fortune of becoming acquainted with the early forms of Brazilian music from before the bossa nova movement came on the scene. In the mid-50s, Larry was introduced to the recordings of Laurindo Almeida, who played a major role in the preÐbossa nova movement and later continued the Brazilian influence that resulted in what became known as bossa nova. Almeida knew and performed the music of two important Brazilian jazz masters: guitarist Garoto, and pianist Radames Gnattali. Brazilian master guitarist Garoto came to the United States in the 40s with the vocalist/dancer Carmen Miranda...

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Master jazz pianist Larry Vuckovich had the fortune of becoming acquainted with the early forms of Brazilian music from before the bossa nova movement came on the scene. In the mid-50s, Larry was introduced to the recordings of Laurindo Almeida, who played a major role in the preÐbossa nova movement and later continued the Brazilian influence that resulted in what became known as bossa nova. Almeida knew and performed the music of two important Brazilian jazz masters: guitarist Garoto, and pianist Radames Gnattali. Brazilian master guitarist Garoto came to the United States in the 40s with the vocalist/dancer Carmen Miranda. After performances with her in New York, Garoto would play late at night at venues that attracted such greats as Duke Ellington and Art Tatum, who became his regular followers. They were highly impressed by GarotoÕs virtuosity and were moved by this new form of modern Brazilian music. Both Garoto and Gnattali were ahead of their time by combining modern jazz elements with Brazilian ethnic music and creating something fresh that paved the way for the later bossa nova movement. Also in the mid 50s, Larry became familiar with Laurindo AlmeidaÕs revolutionary recording on Pacific Jazz Ñ Brazilliance, that featured alto saxophonist Bud Shank. This recording anticipated the Bossa Nova movement that came a few years later. The famous lm Black Orpheus in the later 50s introduced compositions by Jobim and Luis Bonfa. Larry will cover the origins of Brazilian music from slavery to choro forms including renowned composer Pixinguinha, one of the most famous in the choro area, whose original composition Carinhoso is one of the most loved. This will be followed by the new inventions of Garoto and Gnattali and on to the bossa nova movement. This is a first-time presentation at the CJC of this great Brazilian legacy covering in detail all the important steps of the music from Brazil. DonÕt miss this special presentation!

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