Homenagem Brasileira (Homage to Brazil) featuring Marcos Silva and Harvey Wainapel This is Sandy Cressman’s debut CD as a solo artist. "Homenagem Brasileira". is a musical journey through the rich world of Brazilian jazz. The CD pays tribute to the great composers Ivan Lins, Dori Caymmi, Tom Jobim, Vinicius De Moraes, Djavan, Filó, Gilberto Gil, Milton Nascimento, and others. The CD also includes tributes to such important performers as Nana Caymmi, Elis Regina and Leny Andrade. KCSM-FM’s Bud Spangler says: "The music of contemporary Brazil is so rich and varied that the average American music lover (or jazz fan) would be overwhelmed by an attempt to stay current. It’s as if the artistry has taken a quantum leap since we first heard the Bossa Nova in the mid 60’s. In this Homage to Brazil, vocalist Sandy Cressman has followed her heart in selecting material from across the musical spectrum. The result is an exhilarating overview of some of Brazil’s finest artists and composers. Sandy has found the perfect collaborator for this daunting project in Rio-born Marcos Silva. As Musical Director, arranger, and keyboardist, he chooses the perfect tonal colors and rhythmic textures to compliment Sandy’s lovely voice." Guest musicians on the CD include: • Carlinhos Oliveira — acoustic guitar • Jeff Cressman — trombone • Mary Fettig — flute • Marquinhos Brasil — Pandeiro, cuica - • Michael Spiro — Congas and bongo Sandy Cressman and Homage to Brazil band BIO Sandy Cressman (Vocals) Once in a while, an artist is born with an inexplicable connection to a culture is the case with Sandy Cressman. Born in New York City of American parents, but with a Brazilian heart, Cressman began her recording career with the highly acclaimed vocal trio Pastiche, with whom she recorded three CDs, "That's R&Bebop(Pony/Canyon), "Remember That" (BluePrint) and "Pastiche"(Summit Records). Sandy's connection with Brazilian music was first sparked when she first heard the music of Ivan Lins while at U.C. Berkeley in the late 70's. After transferring to San Jose State University in order to major in Vocal Jazz, Sandy began hearing the music of Flora Purim, Tania Maria and Djavan, and began to study Portuguese. From then on, her record collection filled with recordings of Lins and Djavan, as well as the work of Milton Nascimento, Dori Caymmi, Toninho Horta, Elis Regina, Gal Costa, Jobim and others. In 1992, Sandy began a solo career while still a member of Pastiche, and in 1996 began performing as a duo with Brazilian master keyboardist Marcos Silva. Cressman and Silva developed an extensive repertoire, musical interplay and following in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 1997, they expanded their group to a quintet, and in 1999, released "Homenagem Brasileira", their critically acclaimed tribute to the great composers and performers of Brazilian Jazz. Homenagem Brasileira has since performed at important West Coast Jazz Festivals such as the Monterey Jazz Festival and the San Jose Jazz Festival, and Jazz at Filoli, as well as featured performances for radio stations KXJZ(Sacramento) and KCSM (San Francisco). Sandy has lent her vocals to recordings by such diverse artists as Ray Obiedo (Windham Hill), Pete Escovedo(Concord Crossover) and Jai Uttal(Narada Records). Her love of languages and world music has led her to become a much-in-demand session vocalist for Latin and World Music artists. Sandy often performs with Rebeca Mauleon-Santana, Orquesta Candela, Jai Uttal and the Pagan Love Orchestra, and Michael Spiro's Bata Mbira. Marcos Silva (Keyboards) Rio-native Marcos Silva established himself in Brazil at a young age as keyboardist, arranger and musical director for such artists as vocalists Leny Andrade, Emilio Santiago and trumpeter Marcio Montarroyos. In 1979, Marcos settled in New York City, where he performed with Jon Lucien and Claudio Roditi, and then was spotted playing with his own group "Steps of Imagination" by vocalist Flora Purim. Flora signed the group to be her back-up band, and Marcos soon relocated to Santa Barbara, California, where he wrote arrangements for and toured with Flora Purim and Airto. Marcos has recorded and toured with such notable artists as Toninho Horta, Ricardo Silveira, Bud Shank and Dori Caymmi. Marcos recorded two CD's with his group "Intersection" for Concord Records, "White and Black" and "Here We Go". Harvey Wainapel (Saxophones) Multi-saxophonist Harvey Wainapel concentrates equally on the soprano, alto and tenor saxophones. Harvey has performed with McCoy Tyner, Joe Henderson, Ray Charles, Benny Carter, and Joe Lovano. Besides his extensive jazz background, Harvey is also heavily involved with the music of Brazil, including performances with Manfredo Fest, Weber Drummond and Mike Marshall's "Choro Famoso", which spotlights Wainapel's clarinet prowess. Harvey's two CD releases, "At Home/On the Road(JazzMission Records) and "Ambrosia: The Music of Kenny Barron"(A Records), have received high critical acclaim in publications such as Down Beat, Jazz Times and Jazz Life. Celso Alberti (Drums) Celso Alberti was born in Curitiba in the south of Brazil and moved to New York City in 1982. After establishing himself on the New York jazz and Brazilian scene, he moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1984 to play with Terra Sul. Beginning in 1986, Celso joined Flora Purim and Airto for a series of tours in Europe, the U.S. and Brazil. Celso also recorded two CD's with Flora and Airto, "The Magicians" and "Queen of the Night" for Concord Crossover Records. He has recorded and toured with Herbie Mann, Sergio Mendez, Marcos Silva Jose Neto and Steve Winwood. David Belove (Bass) Kansas City native David Belove relocated to California in the early 1980's and became the Bay Area's most prominent Latin and Brazilian bassist. He has recorded and toured with Pete and Sheila Escovedo, Tito Puente, the Machete Ensemble, Rebeca Mauleon-Santana, Claudia Villela, and Oscar Castro-Neves. David has also worked with Joe Henderson, Max Roach, Dizzy Gillespie and many others.