Joca Perpignan & Marcelo Nami with Bebê Kramer & David Feldman
Joca Perpignan & Marcelo Nami with Bebê Kramer & David Feldman
Brazil Winter Time | Friday 21.2 | Isrotel Theater
A special production for the Red Sea Jazz Festival brings together four virtuoso and eclectic musicians from Brazil and Israel. Both hosts are Israelis whose home country is Brazil – Joca Perpignan and Marcelo Nami, and their guests from Brazil – Bebê Kramer and David Feldman – represent the forefront of Brazilian jazz scene. Together, they present an exquisite display of rhythm with original pieces alongside Brazilian classics adaptations.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, percussionist, singer and composer Joca Perpignan immigrated to Israel in his youth and spends much of his time traveling between Israel and Brazil. He has worked with world-renowned artists such as Naná Vasconcelos, Armandinho, João Donato, The Mendes Brothers, Paquito D‘Rivera, Dave Liebman, Edmar Castañeda, and more. In Israel, he has collaborated with a great many leading artists including Matti Caspi, Yoni Rechter, Arik Einstein, The Mayumana Group, Idan Raichel, and is a founding member of the Tucan Trio. Naná Vasconcelos notes, „Joca spread the Brazilian music to the world with affection, professionalism and dignity.“ Guitarist Marcelo Nami immigrated to Israel at the age of 36, after appearing and recording with the greatest musicians in his homeland including Chico Buarque, Daniela Mercury, Ivan Lins, Hamilton de Holanda, and more. In Israel, he has collaborated with Yoni Rechter, David Broza, Alon Oleartchik, Shem Tov Levi, and Danny Robas, among others. He is a regular guest at the annual recordings of the official Brazilian Carnival album and his distinct playing technique that combines classical and electric guitar inspires many guitar players around the world. Acclaimed Brazilian composer, Ivan Lins, says, „Marcelo Nami is one of the greatest guitarists of the new generation.“
Bebê Kramer, one of Brazil’s greatest accordionists, an expressionist musician with a singular style, has inspired a new generation of accordion players around the world. He has recorded and played with artists such as Hermeto Pascoal, Toninho Horta, Moraes Moreira, Paulo Moura, Hamilton de Holanda, Yamandú Costa and has performed worldwide. Coming from Rio Grande do Sul, in Brazil’s southernmost region, his music carries the flavors and aromas associated with his childhood landscape and Brazil’s rural folk tradition. Pianist David Feldman grew up in a musical family, however only after listening to Thelonious Monk at age ten he realized that his musical exploration since age four could be merely described as improvisation. A graduate of The New School NYC he has played alongside Slide Hampton, Claudio Roditi, the Mingus Big Band, and Duduka Da Fonseca and is currently one of Brazil’s top jazz pianists.
In a special Red Sea Jazz Festival rendezvous, this quartet introduces a fantastic variety of synergies. They share some history together: Marcelo and Joca musical connection goes many years back since their initial encounter accompanying a Brazilian singer on her world tour. Their collaboration continues in Israel and abroad while hosting many guest artists; Joca and Feldman played together when Feldman resided in Israel, and at that time Feldman produced Joca’s debut album; Feldman and Bebê shared a stage in a duo performance. This quartet performance also brings to the stage several duos and trios such as Joca and Marcelo, Joca and David, and David and Bebê. Duo, Trio Quattro – Brazil.
They play their own original music as well as Brazilian classics and compositions by composers such as Gismonti, Pascoal and Jobim. The percussion, piano, accordion, and classical guitar connection is unusual and unique, seemingly a jazz quartet with three melodic instruments and no bass and drums. This wonderful connection creates a perfect expression of both jazz and Brazilian folk and roots music. The freedom of jazz and the upbeat Brazilian rhythms and energy create a superb musical celebration for both jazz and Brazilian music lovers.
Joca Perpignan Percussion, Vocals
Marcelo Nami Guitar
Bebê Kramer Accordion
David Feldman Piano
Photo by Ohad Romano
