Claudia Villela

Dinner Special (SOLD OUT):
Shrimp & Fish in a Spicy Coconut Broth
Rice
House Salad & Baguette
*meat & veggie chili will be available to order at the counter

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“A Brazilian-born genius with a blistering voice” (JazzTimes), Rio-born Claudia Villela has developed a reputation as a singularly unique singer, pianist and composer, lending her five-octave voice to work with jazz luminaries including Kenny Werner, Michael Brecker and Toots Thielemans. Villela began singing professionally as a teen and eventually moved to the Bay Area. A scholarship to New York’s Manhattan School of Music and studies with the legendary Sheila Jordan cemented Villela’s jazz credentials, and she returned to California as an artist on a mission to create fresh, original music born of her Brazilian upbringing and passion for jazz. She blends the ever-present samba of her native Brazil with jazz, blues, and songs from around the globe, inspiring the iconic San Francisco Chronicle critic Phil Elwood to enthuse, “Villela doesn’t just sing – she actually dances with her voice on top of Brazilian beats.”

On this concert date, Villela and her quintet will be performing a pre-release of her new album Cartas ao Vento (“Letters to the Wind”), which was recorded in her hometown of Rio de Janeiro with fellow Brazilian musicians such as Toninho Horta, Romero Lubambo, Jorge Helder, Marcelo Costa, Ze Nogueira, and many others. The album was produced by Mario Adnet. Villela will be joined on this concert date by Celso Alberti on drums and percussion, Jeff Buenz on guitar, Gary Brown on bass, and Gary Meek on sax and flute, plus special guests.

Claudia Villela Website
Sponsored by Melody Walsh
(Ticket Includes 5% City of Santa Cruz Admission Tax)