LUCIANA SOUZA – Live @ Tiny Desk Concert (2024)

Felix Contreras, May 17, 2024 | I’m not the first to say it: jazz and Brazilian music are like very close first cousins. There is a historical DNA connecting the two traditions, but also linked by harmonic construction, ample room for improvisation and plain old swing.

In Luciana Souza’s performance, all of the above is on display in the music from one of the most distinct voices in contemporary jazz. Backed by Trio Corrente from Brazil, Souza performs selections from their album Cometa, which received a 2024 Grammy nomination for best Latin jazz album. Souza’s performance is a master class in how to play with intensity while keeping the volume down to accommodate the Tiny Desk’s actual workspace.

SET LIST:

• “Bem Que Te Avisei”

• “Baião Joy”

• “Cometa”

• “Quando Você Vier”

Grammy winner Luciana Souza is one of jazz’s leading singers and interpreters. Born in São Paulo, Brazil, Ms. Souza’s work transcends traditional boundaries around musical styles. Ms. Souza has performed and recorded with Herbie Hancock, Paul Simon, James Taylor, Bobby McFerrin, Maria Schneider, Danilo Perez, Guillermo Klein, John Patitucci, and many others. She has been a prominent soloist in important new works by composers Osvaldo Golijov, Derek Bermel, Patrick Zimmerli, Rachel Grimes, Angelica Negron, Shara Nova, Caroline Shaw, and Sarah Kirkland Snider, performing with the New York Philharmonic, the Atlanta Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the American Composers Orchestra, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, and A Far Cry.

MUSICIANS:

Luciana Souza: vocals Fabio Torres: piano Paulo Paulelli: bass Mauricio Zotarelli: drums

TINY DESK TEAM:

Producer: Felix Contreras Director/Editor: Kara Frame Audio Technical Director: Hannah Gluvna Host/Series Producer: Bobby Carter Videographers: Kara Frame, Maia Stern, Mitra I. Arthur Audio Engineer: Neil Tevault Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer Photographer: Elizabeth Gillis Tiny Desk Team: Joshua Bryant, Hazel Cills Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins