Sunday, April 15th, 2007
The songs Convite Pra Bituca and Sarando were selectested as a 2007/2008 HEAR IN LA finalists. The song Tribo Gandhista was nominated for the Los Angeles Music Awards. Tribo already got 3rd Place in the International Songwriting Competition in 2007.
VISIT www.myspace.com/katiamoraes
www..myspace.com/sambaguru
SAMBAGURU EPK (Electronic Press Kit) at www.sonicbids.com/sambaguru
BIO
"... She comes on stage like an explosion, her body in constant motion, her voice excited and dynamic."
Los Angeles Times
Kátia Moraes is an energetic Brazilian singer/songwriter/dancer from Rio de Janeiro who has been living in Los Angeles since 1990. In 1984 Kátia was invited to join O Espirito da Coisa, a Rio pop-rock band. She toured Brazil with the band for three years, appearing on Brazilian TV and singing ´Slightly Pregnant´, which became a hit song throughout Brazil. Since then she has sang/record and/or performed with Oscar Castro-Neves, Sérgio Mendes, Airto Moreira, Elba Ramalho, Rita Lee, Praful, Marc Antoine, George Duke, Slovenian composer Rok Golob, Sandy and Junior, Banda Cheiro de Amor, and also with Latin Grammy nominee, Alex Acuńa's and Justo Almario's "Tolú," and Grammy nominee "Latin Project," among others. Kátia came to Los Angeles in 1990 where she was inspired by the new environment and musicianship. Poetry, prose and movement have been Kátia's companions since she was 13. Songwriting came later when she put together " Ten Feet and the Sun ", her first American CD, with her band Brazil Nuts.
In 1998, Kátia started putting out a monthly newsletter, Brazilian Heart, to challenge her as a writer and ´communicator.´ Brazilian Heart explores issues of culture, art and music following her personal whims and passions. She has been writing for Brazil Today newspaper, Soul Brasil magazine, and www.querovoce.com
Kátia is currently recording a new Cd project and performing with the Sambaguru band with whom she recorded her fourth CD, " Navegar ao Sol" by Moondo Records. She is also composing new songs for her solo CD, and performing a show entitled "Pure Samba" which got the LA Treasure Awards.
In 2005 Katia was nominated in the best Latin Artist category for the New Times Newspaper Music Awards, and in the Best Brazilian Singer category in the U.S. by the Brazilian Press Awards.
In 2001 she started "Dance with a Brazilian Heart – an "Introduction to Brazilian Culture" through movement. She has performed with Viver Brasil Dance Company and Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company.
Katia Moraes & Sambaguru is an ensemble of 6 musicians from Brazil, Sri Lanka, and the United States that has been playing a wide-ranging blend of original music since 1997. Their rich and extensive repertoire arises from the huge diversity in approaches and techniques that distinguish the personal and regional backgrounds of each band member. It is a vibrant band that has its own stylistic inner tensions among these players from widely separated areas of the globe. The result is a musical experience of remarkable depth and quality.
"Together, they opened a wide and colorful window into a world of irresistibly compelling music"
-Los Angeles Times
"...the group focused on delivering a great performance of what the music is all about: lightening the spirit. And the audience responded"
-Deseret Morning News
Katia Moraes & Sambaguru has played at the Playboy Jazz Festival, House of Blues, Getty Center, Verizon Music Festival, the Cerritos Center, Park City International Jazz, The Ford Ampitheatre, Salt Lake City International Jazz Festival, The Sweet Pea Festival in Bozeman, Montana, The Santa Monica Festival, The French Quarter Festival in New Orleans, The Sierra Folklife Festival, Riverside Jazz Festival, African Market Place, Grass Valley World Music Festival, IAJE- Jazz Educators Convention, San Jose Jazz Festival, Napa Valley Opera House, among other events and venues. In 1998 Kátia Moraes & Bill Brendle had their composition "Nao Va" chosen as a finalist in the World Music category of the John Lennon's Songwriting Contest. Katia Moraes & Sambaguru is featured on the musical score for the film "Woman on Top", a Fox Searchlight Picture released in September 2000. In 2001and 2002 the group was nominated in the best World Music category for the New Times Newspaper Music Awards. The artists were selected to be on The California Arts Council Touring Roster 2002-2003, and released the double CD "LIVE" on Kufala Records in 2003. The new CD "Navegar ao Sol" was released by Moondo Records in June 2005.
Nowadays, Sambaguru is recording its new recording project entitled "Tribo."
Kátia Moraes.
The unique Brazilian singer and lyricist Kátia Moraes began her career in Rio de Janeiro in the 80's with her energetic band "O Espírito da Coisa." Since then she has performed and/or recorded with Sérgio Mendes, Airto Moreira, Oscar Castro-Neves, Elba Ramalho, Rita Lee, Praful, Marc Antoine, George Duke, Slovenian composer Rok Golob, Sandy and Junior, Banda Cheiro de Amor, and also with Latin Grammy nominee, Alex Acuńa's and Justo Almario's "Tolú," and Grammy nominee "Latin Project," among others. After moving to Los Angeles in 1990, she started lending her voice to films and television for dubbing and "Voice-overs" The Rio Thing, Midnight Drums, 22-piece Orchestra Feijoada Completa, Sol & Mar, Viver Brasil Dance Company, Los Angeles Contemporary Dance, Ballet Folclórico do Brasil, Badauę, Man and Machine, and many more.
Kevin Ricard.
Kevin Ricard, an intensely talented percussionist whose family's roots lie in the Louisiana bayou country, has toured and appeared on recordings with scores of musical luminaries Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Kenny Loggins, Stevie Wonder, Bette Midler, Paula Abdul, Sérgio Mendes, The emptations, Diane Reeves, Lionel Richie, and Steve Winwood among others. Ricard's ability to fragment the beat and increase rhythmic pressure is especially gripping, potent. Interacting with the other Sambaguru musicians, he infuses each performance with a special vibrancy conjuring up the effect of power wedded to relaxation.
Grecco Buratto.
Born and raised in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Grecco Buratto started his studies at the age of 8. At 17, Grecco won a statewide contest for best instrumental solo piece. At 19 Grecco relocated to Los Angeles where he attended the Musicians Institute where he received the Outstanding Human Relations Award and was also nominated for the Stylist Award. His credits include the Fox Searchlight film Woman On Top, the # 1 rated TV show Cuanto Cuesta El Show, and TV commercials for Honda and Wells Fargo. Grecco has recorded with Pink and, with producers Jason Edmonds and Beau Dozier, for artists such as: Blaque, 3LW, Lilo J, Nobodyos Angel, Calvin Richardson, Dream and Boyz II Men. Grecco has performed with R&B singer Mya, Chilean super group La Ley, Sergio Mendes, Brazilian jazz legends Airto Moreira ad Flora Purim, Julio Iglesias Jr., and K.D. Lang.
Hussain Jiffry.
Since arriving in California from his native land of Sri Lanka (via Europe), Hussain Jiffry has become one of the most sought-after bassist Los Angeles. His in-the-pocket feel and versatility has kept his phone ringing in the past fourteen years. Born and raised in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Hussain grew up surrounded by the richly varied traditional music of his country, but also listened constantly to pop, jazz, & r&b that was played over the radio. He started singing in school choirs at 10, took up piano accordion at age 12 and at 17 started playing electric bass. In 1982 while performing with a local band in Sri Lanka, Hussain was offered to tour Europe with an r&b band, eventually spending six years on the European club circuit. In 1988 he moved to Los Angeles to study music at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood California. He graduated from MI in March 1989, receiving the school‚s highest award, the Vocational Honors Diploma. In the past fourteen years Hussain has gradually grown busier and more in demand as his reputation has spread as a player, writer, arranger, producer and music educator. He teaches at the Los Angeles Music Academy and also is currently touring with Sergio Mendes, LA All Stars, and "Yanni".
Tony Shogren.
Drummer and percussionist Tony Shogren is the springboard both rhythmically and emotionally for Sambaguru. A native of California, Tony Shogren began studying drums when he was five years old and played his first professional gig at 12. When he was 15, he moved from Fresno,California to South America where he began compiling rhythms distinctive to the various regions, an avocation that he continues to pursue. He has toured and performed at music festivals throughout the U.S. In addition to his film scoring and session work in Los Angeles, he occassionally tours with Sergio Mendes. His drumming reflects the knowledge he gained from his studies of afro/colonial music of the Americas. As he cocurrently studies to achieve his masters degree in film composition, Shogren also wears another hat as recording engineer for Katia Moraes & Sambaguru.
Bill Brendle.
Bill Brendle is from Santa Barbara, CA, where his musical life began under the guidance of his father, a professor of music at UCSB. He grew up playing jazz and classical music, and later became fascinated by world music, especially the music from Brazil. He has worked with some Brazil´s best known recording artists such as Maria Bethânia, Rita Lee, Ginga, and Hermeto Paschoal. He also has been the Musical Director for Sergio Mendes. He is one of the co-founders of Katia Moraes & Sambaguru, and is the composer of much of their music. He is currently living in Los Angeles, where he works as a composer for film and television. His credits include the documentary film "Saigon USA" for PBS, and "Woman On Top" starring Penelope Cruz. He loves teaching, has many private students, and has taught piano through UCLA extensions.
VISIT www.myspace.com/katiamoraes
www..myspace.com/sambaguru
SAMBAGURU EPK (Electronic Press Kit) at www.sonicbids.com/sambaguru
BIO
"... She comes on stage like an explosion, her body in constant motion, her voice excited and dynamic."
Los Angeles Times
Kátia Moraes is an energetic Brazilian singer/songwriter/dancer from Rio de Janeiro who has been living in Los Angeles since 1990. In 1984 Kátia was invited to join O Espirito da Coisa, a Rio pop-rock band. She toured Brazil with the band for three years, appearing on Brazilian TV and singing ´Slightly Pregnant´, which became a hit song throughout Brazil. Since then she has sang/record and/or performed with Oscar Castro-Neves, Sérgio Mendes, Airto Moreira, Elba Ramalho, Rita Lee, Praful, Marc Antoine, George Duke, Slovenian composer Rok Golob, Sandy and Junior, Banda Cheiro de Amor, and also with Latin Grammy nominee, Alex Acuńa's and Justo Almario's "Tolú," and Grammy nominee "Latin Project," among others. Kátia came to Los Angeles in 1990 where she was inspired by the new environment and musicianship. Poetry, prose and movement have been Kátia's companions since she was 13. Songwriting came later when she put together " Ten Feet and the Sun ", her first American CD, with her band Brazil Nuts.
In 1998, Kátia started putting out a monthly newsletter, Brazilian Heart, to challenge her as a writer and ´communicator.´ Brazilian Heart explores issues of culture, art and music following her personal whims and passions. She has been writing for Brazil Today newspaper, Soul Brasil magazine, and www.querovoce.com
Kátia is currently recording a new Cd project and performing with the Sambaguru band with whom she recorded her fourth CD, " Navegar ao Sol" by Moondo Records. She is also composing new songs for her solo CD, and performing a show entitled "Pure Samba" which got the LA Treasure Awards.
In 2005 Katia was nominated in the best Latin Artist category for the New Times Newspaper Music Awards, and in the Best Brazilian Singer category in the U.S. by the Brazilian Press Awards.
In 2001 she started "Dance with a Brazilian Heart – an "Introduction to Brazilian Culture" through movement. She has performed with Viver Brasil Dance Company and Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company.
Katia Moraes & Sambaguru is an ensemble of 6 musicians from Brazil, Sri Lanka, and the United States that has been playing a wide-ranging blend of original music since 1997. Their rich and extensive repertoire arises from the huge diversity in approaches and techniques that distinguish the personal and regional backgrounds of each band member. It is a vibrant band that has its own stylistic inner tensions among these players from widely separated areas of the globe. The result is a musical experience of remarkable depth and quality.
"Together, they opened a wide and colorful window into a world of irresistibly compelling music"
-Los Angeles Times
"...the group focused on delivering a great performance of what the music is all about: lightening the spirit. And the audience responded"
-Deseret Morning News
Katia Moraes & Sambaguru has played at the Playboy Jazz Festival, House of Blues, Getty Center, Verizon Music Festival, the Cerritos Center, Park City International Jazz, The Ford Ampitheatre, Salt Lake City International Jazz Festival, The Sweet Pea Festival in Bozeman, Montana, The Santa Monica Festival, The French Quarter Festival in New Orleans, The Sierra Folklife Festival, Riverside Jazz Festival, African Market Place, Grass Valley World Music Festival, IAJE- Jazz Educators Convention, San Jose Jazz Festival, Napa Valley Opera House, among other events and venues. In 1998 Kátia Moraes & Bill Brendle had their composition "Nao Va" chosen as a finalist in the World Music category of the John Lennon's Songwriting Contest. Katia Moraes & Sambaguru is featured on the musical score for the film "Woman on Top", a Fox Searchlight Picture released in September 2000. In 2001and 2002 the group was nominated in the best World Music category for the New Times Newspaper Music Awards. The artists were selected to be on The California Arts Council Touring Roster 2002-2003, and released the double CD "LIVE" on Kufala Records in 2003. The new CD "Navegar ao Sol" was released by Moondo Records in June 2005.
Nowadays, Sambaguru is recording its new recording project entitled "Tribo."
Kátia Moraes.
The unique Brazilian singer and lyricist Kátia Moraes began her career in Rio de Janeiro in the 80's with her energetic band "O Espírito da Coisa." Since then she has performed and/or recorded with Sérgio Mendes, Airto Moreira, Oscar Castro-Neves, Elba Ramalho, Rita Lee, Praful, Marc Antoine, George Duke, Slovenian composer Rok Golob, Sandy and Junior, Banda Cheiro de Amor, and also with Latin Grammy nominee, Alex Acuńa's and Justo Almario's "Tolú," and Grammy nominee "Latin Project," among others. After moving to Los Angeles in 1990, she started lending her voice to films and television for dubbing and "Voice-overs" The Rio Thing, Midnight Drums, 22-piece Orchestra Feijoada Completa, Sol & Mar, Viver Brasil Dance Company, Los Angeles Contemporary Dance, Ballet Folclórico do Brasil, Badauę, Man and Machine, and many more.
Kevin Ricard.
Kevin Ricard, an intensely talented percussionist whose family's roots lie in the Louisiana bayou country, has toured and appeared on recordings with scores of musical luminaries Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Kenny Loggins, Stevie Wonder, Bette Midler, Paula Abdul, Sérgio Mendes, The emptations, Diane Reeves, Lionel Richie, and Steve Winwood among others. Ricard's ability to fragment the beat and increase rhythmic pressure is especially gripping, potent. Interacting with the other Sambaguru musicians, he infuses each performance with a special vibrancy conjuring up the effect of power wedded to relaxation.
Grecco Buratto.
Born and raised in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Grecco Buratto started his studies at the age of 8. At 17, Grecco won a statewide contest for best instrumental solo piece. At 19 Grecco relocated to Los Angeles where he attended the Musicians Institute where he received the Outstanding Human Relations Award and was also nominated for the Stylist Award. His credits include the Fox Searchlight film Woman On Top, the # 1 rated TV show Cuanto Cuesta El Show, and TV commercials for Honda and Wells Fargo. Grecco has recorded with Pink and, with producers Jason Edmonds and Beau Dozier, for artists such as: Blaque, 3LW, Lilo J, Nobodyos Angel, Calvin Richardson, Dream and Boyz II Men. Grecco has performed with R&B singer Mya, Chilean super group La Ley, Sergio Mendes, Brazilian jazz legends Airto Moreira ad Flora Purim, Julio Iglesias Jr., and K.D. Lang.
Hussain Jiffry.
Since arriving in California from his native land of Sri Lanka (via Europe), Hussain Jiffry has become one of the most sought-after bassist Los Angeles. His in-the-pocket feel and versatility has kept his phone ringing in the past fourteen years. Born and raised in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Hussain grew up surrounded by the richly varied traditional music of his country, but also listened constantly to pop, jazz, & r&b that was played over the radio. He started singing in school choirs at 10, took up piano accordion at age 12 and at 17 started playing electric bass. In 1982 while performing with a local band in Sri Lanka, Hussain was offered to tour Europe with an r&b band, eventually spending six years on the European club circuit. In 1988 he moved to Los Angeles to study music at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood California. He graduated from MI in March 1989, receiving the school‚s highest award, the Vocational Honors Diploma. In the past fourteen years Hussain has gradually grown busier and more in demand as his reputation has spread as a player, writer, arranger, producer and music educator. He teaches at the Los Angeles Music Academy and also is currently touring with Sergio Mendes, LA All Stars, and "Yanni".
Tony Shogren.
Drummer and percussionist Tony Shogren is the springboard both rhythmically and emotionally for Sambaguru. A native of California, Tony Shogren began studying drums when he was five years old and played his first professional gig at 12. When he was 15, he moved from Fresno,California to South America where he began compiling rhythms distinctive to the various regions, an avocation that he continues to pursue. He has toured and performed at music festivals throughout the U.S. In addition to his film scoring and session work in Los Angeles, he occassionally tours with Sergio Mendes. His drumming reflects the knowledge he gained from his studies of afro/colonial music of the Americas. As he cocurrently studies to achieve his masters degree in film composition, Shogren also wears another hat as recording engineer for Katia Moraes & Sambaguru.
Bill Brendle.
Bill Brendle is from Santa Barbara, CA, where his musical life began under the guidance of his father, a professor of music at UCSB. He grew up playing jazz and classical music, and later became fascinated by world music, especially the music from Brazil. He has worked with some Brazil´s best known recording artists such as Maria Bethânia, Rita Lee, Ginga, and Hermeto Paschoal. He also has been the Musical Director for Sergio Mendes. He is one of the co-founders of Katia Moraes & Sambaguru, and is the composer of much of their music. He is currently living in Los Angeles, where he works as a composer for film and television. His credits include the documentary film "Saigon USA" for PBS, and "Woman On Top" starring Penelope Cruz. He loves teaching, has many private students, and has taught piano through UCLA extensions.