The new season of the Orquestra de Jazz do Algarve (OJA) begins with two concerts with an identical protagonist – the Brazilian Luanda Cozetti – but vibrations different, even by the guest musicians.
Thus, the first concert is scheduled for February 19, at 19 pm, at the Lagoa Municipal Auditorium, featuring musicians Gonçalo Sousa (harmonic) and Luanda Cozetti (voice) to celebrate the centenary of the birth of harmonicist Toots Thielemans, the Belgian harmonica wizard in jazz.
Toots has had several collaborations throughout his long career. The golden years of Bossa Nova were taking place, and Toots, like many jazz musicians, also insisted on passing by and leaving his mark on Bossa Nova. One of his most relevant collaborations was with Ellis Regina.
In this concert on the 19th, «these melodies are highlighted by the second guest, Luanda Cozetti, who will be the voice of Brazil in this program», explains Hugo Alves, the trumpeter who is director of OJA.
«We intend to celebrate all these languages and fusions that Toots Thielemans has gone through and lived through. Corcovado, Desafinado, Bluesette, Stardust or Chega de Saudade will be some of the themes revisited”, he added.
A week later, on February 26, at 21 pm, the Orquestra de Jazz do Algarve will perform at TEMPO – Teatro Municipal de Portimão, inviting the percussion of Osvaldo Pegudo (Cuba) and, once again, the voice of Luanda Cozetti (Brazil).
It will be a program that «takes us on a journey, transporting us from South America to the Caribbean, in the musical wealth that this region of the world bequeaths to us. Whether it's Samba, Bossa Nova, Son, Montuno or Salsa, the rhythm and joy will be a constant».
«Osvaldo Pegudo is my favorite percussionist here in Portugal. He is one conguero fantastic», explains Hugo Alves.
Summarizing the two opening concerts of the season, «very different from each other», the director of OJA says that the one on the 19th will be «softer» and the one on the 26th «more carnivalesque, more lively».
Despite the pandemic, the Orquestra de Jazz do Algarve has not stopped working. So much so that, in 2021, OJA began preparing a new album, “which will be out soon”.
OJA is also preparing a special program for April, on the occasion of International Jazz Day, as well as the touring next summer, which will have a special guest. Also «towards the end of the summer», a «special project will be presented, with two great musicians from outside», but Hugo Alves prefers not to give even more details, because there are details that are still being finalized.
«We never stopped working during the pandemic and now we are preparing this season with many good surprises», guaranteed the musician.
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