Helio Alves, Rafel Barata & Edward Perez / Brazilian Jazz

Helio Alves, Rafel Barata & Edward Perez / Brazilian Jazz

Presented by Terraza 7. 

Thurdday day, December 21th, 2023, at 8:00 pm.

$20 Cover charge Mezzanine. 

Featuring:

Rafael Barata / Drums

Edward Perez / Bass

Helio Alves / Piano

About Helio Alves:

Born in São Paulo, Brazil, pianist Helio Alves seamlessly weaves the intricate rhythms of modern Brazilian music with the electrifying energy of contemporary jazz. A New York City resident since the '90s, Alves has earned accolades as a sought-after sideman, gracing the stage with luminaries like Joe Henderson, Yo-Yo Ma, Sadao Watanabe, Slide Hampton, Airto Moreira & Flora Purim, Paquito D'Rivera, Joyce, Rosa Passos, and many others.

Helio has also made his mark as a bandleader with four captivating albums: "Trios" (1998), "Portrait in Black & White" (2004), "It's Clear" (2009), and his latest offering, "Musica," featuring Antonio Sanchez, Reuben Rogers, Claudio Roditi, and Romero Lubambo.

Explore the world of Brazilian Jazz Piano through my piano course, "Brazilian Jazz Piano." And don't miss my newest album, "At Play," where I collaborate with the exceptional talents of Romero Lubambo, Reuben Rogers, and Edu Ribeiro. Visit www.openstudiojazz.com for more.

Additionally, be sure to check out "Águas Brasileiras," my latest album with The Brazilian Trio (featuring Nilson Matta and Duduka Da Fonseca), available now on Zoho Music. Discover more at www.braziliantriomusic.net.

About Rafael Barata:

Rafael Barata, a renowned drummer from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, began his musical journey at 5, deeply influenced by Samba and Bossa Nova through his father and brother, both musicians. By 14, he was already making strides in the studio and won two prestigious Batuka Drum contests by age 20. His early exposure to Samba Jazz legends led him into the jazz realm, culminating in a move to New York to play with jazz masters.

Barata's career boasts collaborations with numerous acclaimed artists like Herbie Hancock, Eliane Elias, and Esperanza Spalding. He was a fixture at Rio's Mistura Fina, playing alongside greats like Osmar Milito. His global tours have included performances at major jazz festivals and with projects like the "Cello Samba Trio" and Grammy winner Dianne Reeves.

A Grammy-nominated artist himself, Barata has contributed to award-winning projects and has a profound impact as an educator, offering clinics and master classes worldwide. His "Core of Research and Development of Art and Music" project addresses the emotional aspects of musicianship.

Nicknamed 'The Traveler,' he continues to inspire through online performances and music consulting, adapting to the challenges of the Covid-19 era. Rafael is endorsed by leading brands like Tama Drums and Zildjian Cymbals, underscoring his status in the global music community.

About Edward Perez:

Edward based in the vibrant melting pot of Queens, New York, is a multifaceted artist excelling as a composer, arranger, and bassist. His compositions have graced the performances of esteemed musicians such as The Silkroad Ensemble, Yo-Yo Ma, Alan Gilbert, Cristina Pato, Ignacio Berroa, Jorge Pardo, and Kenan Adnawi. From intimate New York clubs to prestigious venues like the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center's David Geffen Hall, Massey Hall, and international stages, Perez's music has left an indelible mark.

Perez's journey began as a jazz bassist, later expanding into Latin-Jazz and traditional South American styles. His formative years at Harvard University, where he earned a math degree, were marked by honing his skills in Boston's jazz clubs. Subsequently, Perez spent two transformative years in Lima, Peru, collaborating with Afro-Peruvian legends like Eva Ayllón, Juan Medrano Cotito, Oscar Avilés, and Julio “Chocolate” Algendones.

Returning to New York, Perez integrated modern jazz into his repertoire. Praised by Jazz Times for his "great dexterity," he has shared stages with luminaries like Lee Konitz, Greg Osby, Seamus Blake, Lionel Loueke, and Latin jazz icons Paquito D’Rivera, Ignacio Berroa, and Arturo O’Farrill. His bass contributions include Hector Martignon's Grammy-nominated Latin jazz album "Second Chance."

Edward Perez's dedication to education shines through as he imparts his knowledge through teaching roles at The New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music, Queens College Center for Preparatory Studies in Music, and Silkroad's Global Musician Workshop. He conducts masterclasses worldwide for budding improvisers and bassists.

Currently, Perez co-leads the Terraza Big Band, an 18-piece ensemble blending modern jazz and Latin American styles. While firmly rooted in jazz improvisation as a bassist, Perez's compositional style evolves through collaborative influences from diverse musical genres and ensembles.