Amilton Godoy at Palms Playhouse

"Both Amilton and Léa mix experience with boldness and, far from resting on their fame and recognition, travel down adventurous paths...with one foot in tradition and another in the future. Worth every note.” -Brazil's Forum Magazine\nEnjoy the sounds of Brazilian musicians Amilton Godoy and Léa Freire, as they play with the Berkeley Choro Ensemble on August 19, as part of our occasional Sunday Afternoon Jazz series.\nSão Paulo pianist/composer/arranger AMILTON GODOY founded the iconic Zimbo Trio at age 23. Combining the rhythms of samba and bossa nova with jazz, this became one of the most influential Brazilian instrumental groups in the second half of the 20th Century, making 51 recordings and playing in 40 countries over the years...

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"Both Amilton and Léa mix experience with boldness and, far from resting on their fame and recognition, travel down adventurous paths...with one foot in tradition and another in the future. Worth every note.” -Brazil's Forum Magazine\nEnjoy the sounds of Brazilian musicians Amilton Godoy and Léa Freire, as they play with the Berkeley Choro Ensemble on August 19, as part of our occasional Sunday Afternoon Jazz series.\nSão Paulo pianist/composer/arranger AMILTON GODOY founded the iconic Zimbo Trio at age 23. Combining the rhythms of samba and bossa nova with jazz, this became one of the most influential Brazilian instrumental groups in the second half of the 20th Century, making 51 recordings and playing in 40 countries over the years. At age 77, Godoy is still playing with the energy and enthusiasm of a teenager (a very experienced one)!\nFlutist/pianist/composer LÉA FREIRE, also from São Paulo, is a major force in creative Brazilian music, as a performer, composer, and producer. Singer/composer Joyce Moreno calls Léa Freire “a hidden Brazilian treasure.” In 2011 Léa invited Amilton to record a solo CD of her compositions, an invitation he accepted with pleasure. When it came time to release the CD, Amilton suggested forming a duo, which went on to record a CD called “A Mil Tons” (2017), consisiting of Godoy’s compositions and arrangements. This unique duo has toured throughout Brazil, Argentina, and the US, combining the freedom of popular music and improvisation with the elegance of chamber music, all performed with that great rhythmical, lyrical, and charming Brazilian “accent.”\nThe BEREKELEY CHORO ENSEMBLE, formed in 2010, has dedicated itself to the performance of choro, Brazilian popular music which is a captivating blend of European chamber music with Afro-Brazilian rhythmic energy and a touch of jazz. Ensemble members HARVEY WAINAPEL (clarinet) and BRIAN RICE (percussion) have previously performed at the Palms with Brazilian string master Almir Côrtes; the Ensemble was founded by flutist JANE LENOIR, and the fourth member is RICARDO PEIXOTO (7-string acoustic guitar), from Rio de Janeiro. “The Berkeley Choro Ensemble is one of the few groups playing outside Brazil that has the deepest understanding of what it means to play a ‘chorinho.’ –World Music Report, April, 2018\nDoors open at 2:30 PM. Music begins at 3:00 PM. There will be two 45-60 minute sets with a short intermission.\nFAQs:\n-Can I reserve a seat? Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis; we do not generally reserve seats unless special accommodations are required. Please contact us at [email protected] if you need assistance with seating.\n-Are children allowed? Yes, we are an all-ages venue. It's up to the parents to decide if the content is appropriate for their children.\n-Are you ADA accessible? Yes, there is an elevator to the second floor, and the bathrooms are accessible. Please contact us ahead of time if you need seating accommodations.\n-What's your refund policy? Please contact us before the day of the show; in most cases, we will be able to provide a refund of the ticket price (fees are non-refundable).\n-Where can I park? Plan to arrive early to find the best parking; you should be able to find a space within four blocks of The Palms. You can either park on the street or in a nearby lot; all public parking in Winters is free.\nPhoto/Video/Recording Policy\nOur policy is no photos or unauthorized video or audio recording during performances. Please put away your devices and enjoy the performance in real time.\nAdditional information available on our website.

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