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The Art of Time Ensemble, under the artistic direction of founder Andrew Burashko, presents Brasil, a beautiful and eclectic program of Brazilian music from three musical perspectives on December 4 and December 5 at Harbourfront Centre’s Enwave Theatre featuring Bachianas Brasileiras #1 (for 8 cellos) by Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959), songs by Antonio Carlos Jobim (1927-1994) sung by Canadian jazz vocalist extraordinaire Emilie-Claire Barlow and a set of songs and compositions performed by Rio de Janeiro’s legendary Guinga. Sponsored by BMO Financial and Cadillac Fairview, the concert will be recorded by CBC Radio for future broadcast.

Guinga (Carlos Althier de Souza Lemos Escobar, but everyone knows him as Guinga) is one of Brazil’s most innovative and original artists. A multi-talented composer, guitarist and singer that mixes a number of genres from samba to foxtrot, blues and more, Guinga has been called “an intuitive genius” and “one of Brazil’s great virtuoso guitarists.” Performing the entire second half of the show, accompanied by Art of Time Ensemble musicians, Guinga will capture the hearts of the audience as his eloquent, emotionally resonant melodies from numerous musical styles engage and soar through the house. “When people talk of innovative Brazilian music, his name is often the first to be mentioned. Hermeto Pascoal said about him, ‘He’s someone who appears only once in a hundred years.’” – Daniella Thompson, Brazzil
Bachianas Brasileiras No.1, a classical piece by Brazilian composer Villa-Lobos for 8 cellos, is performed by the very finest cellists in the country including Roman Borys of the Gryphon Trio, Thomas Wiebe, Rachel Mercer and principal players from the Canadian Opera Company, Toronto Symphony and National Ballet Orchestras.

Emilie-Claire Barlow performs a medley of jazz, swing and bossa nova-style songs by Antonio Carlos Jobim and others accompanied by 5 elite Toronto jazz musicians. Named Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2008 National Jazz Awards and nominated in 2009, Barlow’s new album, the positively stylish “Haven’t We Met?,” is a best seller, cracking the Top 100 jazz charts all over the world including Japan, Australia, Germany, and France. Her 2007 release, The Very Thought of You, topped the Canadian jazz charts and earned her a nomination for a Juno Award in the category of Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. Her performance of Alex Kramer’s “There Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens” at the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala was nominated for a Gemini Award in the same year. From Toronto to Tokyo, France’s Cote d’Azure to the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Barlow continues to endear herself to audiences and critics with her relaxed stage presence, her sense of humour and, most importantly, her stunning vocal performances.

The Musicians

Maurizio Baccante / Cello
Roman Borys / Cello
Margaret Gay / Cello
David Hetherington / Cello
Rachel Mercer / Cello
Tom Wiebe / Cello
Paul Widner / Cello
Winona Zelenka / Cello

Davide Di Renzo / Drums
Mark Duggan / Percussion
Alan Hetherington / Percussion
John Johnson / Sax
Reg Schwager / Guitar
Luis Simao / Bass
& Others

Now in its eleventh season, the Art of Time Ensemble is one of Toronto’s most innovative and artistically sound music ensembles. Art of Time presents performances that are based on classical music but have innovative twists of artistry, often combining contemporary music or disciplines such as dance, film and theatre/literature with classical pieces.
The Art of Time Ensemble presents
BRASIL
Friday, December 4 & Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 8pm
At Enwave Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, 231 Queens Quay West
Tickets $19-$49 / Discounts for students, seniors, artists
Harbourfront Centre Box Office at 416-973-4000 OR www.artoftimeensemble.com