BRAZILIAN SUPERSTAR DJAVAN — LATIN GRAMMY WINNER

BRAZILIAN SUPERSTAR DJAVAN — LATIN GRAMMY WINNER, SINGER,
COMPOSER, POET—
BRINGS HIS PASSIONATE MUSIC TO HOUSTON - TEXAS
Grammy Award-winning Brazilian recording star Djavan kicks off his US summer tour at the
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON - CULLEN PERFORMANCE HALL
Located at 4800 Calhoun, Houston, TX 77204
June 11th, 2008 at 8:00 p.m
Doors open at 7:00 pm
/24-7PressRelease/ - HOUSTON, TX, May 17, 2008 — Brazilian musician Djavan (Dee-jah-van) shares his three-decade
musical journey as he performs selections from his most current release and 18th record, Matizes (Shades of Color), in
commemoration of the 32nd anniversary of his career. Djavan, recognized by jazz musicians worldwide as one of Brazil's
leading singer/songwriters, has traversed Brazilian borders and reached the world market with his blend of pop and jazz. His
radically personal and intimate style is reflected in his band which includes two of Djavan's sons (guitarist Max and drummer
João Viana,) both playing with their father for a decade now. The concert starts at 8:00 p.m. and instrumentation features:
bass, piano, saxophone tenor and flute, trumpet, trombone, acoustic and electric guitars.
The universal, romantic bard Djavan names the folk music of his village in northeastern Brazil among his influences, along
with funk, jazz and bossa nova. His complex harmonies, original melodies, strange sonorities (from a romantic ballad to
hard twists and turns of a Moorish song, a variety of jazzy horns with a classic rock guitar and full of rhythmic variations)
with mysterious and enchanting results. The sophisticated lyrics of personal reflection, composed of poetic images typical of
Djavan, are full of chromatic metaphors and inspired by nature. Djavan has been heralded as an ambitious author since the
start of his touring career in 1975.
BACKGROUND ON DJAVAN:
Marked with innovation and romanticism, written and sung with honesty and humility, Djavan's music focuses on life and
love. Gal Costa, Caetano Veloso, Nana Caymmi, Beth Carvalho and other top Brazilian artists have covered his songs
along with Al Jarreau, Carmen McRae, the Manhattan Transfer. Djavan's lyrics are simple yet poetic, and his voice is
tremendously earthy and subtle. His work brings together African rhythms, bossa nova, jazz, funk, pop, samba, R&B and
northeastern sounds. The New York Times claims he is "an artist who has fused many of the dominant styles onto a
personal music [that is] brilliant and comprehensive."
Born in Maceio, in Brazil's northeastern state of Alagoas, Djavan grew up hearing folk music and listening to his mother
sing. He discovered the guitar when he was 16 and began to dedicate himself to it. Soon he gave up school and his factory
job to form a band at the age of 18 called Luz, Som e Dimensão [Light, Sound and Dimension], better known as LSD. The
band played popular successes, in particular Beatles covers at clubs and other similar venues.
Djavan later moved to Rio de Janeiro with his guitar in hand. He started out recording songs of other artists for television
soap operas and singing at popular nightclubs. Through these experiences he began getting exposure and received his first
big break. In 1975, his composition, "Fato consumado" (Consummated Fact) won second prize at a music festival, and
placed him on the trajectory of success.
ABOUT HIS NEW RELEASE "MATIZES" :
Thirty two years later, Djavan releases his 18th album with 12 newly composed tracks ranging from samba heard on "Delírio
dos Mortais" to a bolero of "Louça Fina", going on to blues in "Desandou". A ballad "Por uma Vida em Paz" that also has a
jazzy interpretation where he talks about universal questions: "I don't know exactly what to say/About the evil on earth:/I
think the love hesitated.", plus traditional beloved classics. "Matizes" blends the tones of a work of deep maturity. The trio of
songs "Fera" (Beast), "Pedra" (Rock) and "Adorava me ver como seu" (I Loved to See Me as Yours) reveal the musical
synthesis found by Djavan, his personal universe, and how he has developed a musical and personal speech as exemplified
in the lyrics of "Pedra" (Rock): "Love, I loose myself in tears/I didn't see you anymore, since April, I went to the sea/And you
laying there on the rock/How I envy that rock." Modern sambas of different shades live in "Matizes" complimented by a
danceable bolero mixed with Cuban Son "Louça fina" (Fine dishware), and a typical blues "Djavan's Blues" (as once defined
by Caetano Veloso), entitled "Desandou."
The recording, under his own label Luanda Records, was done in his studio when, in Djavan's own words, he had the finest
interaction with the band in his career. Djavan brings this same band to his U.S. performances: Renato Fonseca
(keyboards), João Viana (Djavan's son on drums), Max Viana (Djavan's son on acoustic and electric guitars, vocals), Sergio
Carvalho (bass), plus Marcelo Martins (sax, flute, vocals), Walmir Gil (trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals) and François de Lima
(trombone, vocals).
"with a soothing but vulnerable voice, he is willing to split the difference between Brazilian pop and the American pop-funk
that has lifted some of its best effects from such Brazilian masters as Milton Nascimento, Jorge Ben, Gilberto Gil and
Caetano Veloso, all Djavan's elders." -- JON PARELES, N.Y. Times
Djavan's 2008 Houston Concert is produced by Marolo Records (Antonio Dionisio) and Next Brazilian Productions, headed
by Lydia Pinto.
Tickets for Djavan concert, priced at $60, $50 and $40 for reserved admission.
For further information, call Lydia Pinto/Next Brazilian Productions at 713-952-4071 or
Antonio Dionisio/Marolo Records at 512-917-9652
This event is sponsored in part by: LATINATION, AMERICAN LATINO TV, HOUSTON PRESS, VIDA BRASIL BRAZILIAN
NEWSPAPER AND SELAS FLUID INC.
"Brazilian superstar Djavan...a rare opportunity to experience the
rich catalog of a major Brazilian artist." -- Don Heckman, Los Angeles Times
BIOGRAPHY OF DJAVAN:
Djavan is a Brazilian composer, singer, and the owner of a respectable discography. His international success has taken
him to the highest-ranking venues worldwide and his songs have been recorded by Al Jarreau, Carmen McRae, the
Manhattan Transfer, and, in Brazil by Gal Costa, Paralamas do Sucesso, Ed Motta, Leila Pinheiro, Chico C sar, Dori
Caymmi, Nana Caymmi, Rosa Passos, Lenine, Elba Ramalho, João Bosco, Z lia Duncan, Leny Andrade, Chico Buarque,
Daniela Mercury, Ney Matogrosso, Dominguinhos, Jane Duboc, Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia, Beth Carvalho, João
Donato, Joyce, Johnny Alf, and other artists.
Djavan had early contact with music through his mother. From the environment, he took the rich northeastern folklore as
influences. But he only began to play at 16, when he took the violão as a self-taught instrument. Abandoning his studies, he
had to work small jobs. Still in his hometown, he formed the group LSD (Luz, Som, Dimensão), which covered the Beatles'
repertory, playing in every venue for pocket money. Moving to Rio in 1973, he became acquainted with Edson Mauro, a
fellow statesman who was Rádio Globo's sports speaker, and presented Djavan to Adelzon Alves, who introduced him to
Som Livre's producer João Mello. A month later, he was hired by Som Livre as a singer for soap opera soundtracks. In this
capacity, he would record the songs "Qual " (Marcos and Paulo S rgio Valle) for the soap opera Ossos do Barão,
"Presunçosa" (Antônio Carlos and Jocafi) for Super Manuela, "Calmaria e Vendaval" (Toquinho and Vinicius) for Fogo sobre
terra, and "Alegre Menina" (Dori Caymmi and Jorge Amado) for Gabriela. He also participated in several hit-parade records,
recording other composers' songs. Meanwhile, to fatten his meager budget, he worked as a crooner for four years at
Number One and 706 nightclubs, before his breakthrough as a composer. Participating in TV Globo's festival Abertura
(1975), he won second place with his song "Abertura." His first single came four months later with the songs "E que Deus
Ajude," "Um Dia," "Rei do Mar," and "Fato Consumado." One year after, he recorded his first LP, (A Voz, o Violão e a Arte
de Djavan, Som Livre), which had "Fato Consumando," "E que Deus Ajude," "Pára Raio," "Maria Mercedes," "Na Boca do
Beco," "Ventos do Norte," "Magia," "Muito Obrigado," "Maçã do Rosto," "Embola Bola," "Quantas Voltas dá o Mundo," and
"Flor de Lis," the latter scoring a big hit which endures even today.
A while later, he did a solo show at the 706 nightclub for three months. He recorded a single arranged by João Donato with
songs "É hora" and "Romeiros" and left Som Livre for Odeon. He then recorded Djavan (1979), Alumbramento (1980), and
Seduzir (1981). In 1982, he signed with CBS, recorded Luz in the U.S. (produced by Ronnie Foster), where he made
contacts with Quincy Jones, who acquired the publishing rights of many of his songs through Djavan's own publishing
Luanda. Stevie Wonder was a guest star on that album. In 1984, he recorded Lilás with production help from Eric Bulling,
whose international sound can be heard on that album. In the same year, he worked in the film Para Viver um Grande Amor
(Miguel Faria, Jr.). He also recorded Brazilian Knights and a Lady (1985), Meu Lado (1986), Não Azul mas Mar (1987), and
Bird of Paradise (1988). In 1989, he did Djavan, accompanied by flamenco guitar player Paco de Lucia on the track
"Oceano," included in a major soap opera. He followed with Puzzle of Hearts (1990), Coisa de acender (1991, with a
partnership with Caetano Veloso on "Linha do Equador"), and Novena (1994). In 1996, he recorded Malásia, which had
Tom Jobim's "Correnteza" included on a prime time soap opera and, in 1998, Bicho Solto -- o 13o. In 1999, he recorded Ao
Vivo in two volumes, which sold 1.2 million copies and garnered him his first Diamond Record. He was awarded with three
Multishow prizes: Best CD, Best Show, and Best Singer (popular election by vote of the cable channel spectators). He was
paid tribute in the series Talento Brasileiro and with three Lumiar Songbooks, having his songs performed by Gal Costa,
Paralamas do Sucesso, Ed Motta, Cláudio Zolli, Ângela Ro Ro, Leila Pinheiro, Garganta Profunda, Chico C sar, Dori
Caymmi, Nana Caymmi, Rosa Passos, Rosana, Orlando Morais, Lenine, Paulinho Moska, Elba Ramalho, João Bosco, Z lia
Duncan, Cidade Negra, Sandra de Sá, Leny Andrade, Chico Buarque, Daniela Mercury, Ney Matogrosso, Dominguinhos,
Jane Duboc, Z Ricardo, Personagens, Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia, Beth Carvalho, João Donato, Daúde, Joyce, Johnny
Alf, Eduardo Dusek, Be Happy, Fátima Guedes, and Clara Sandroni. The following year, Djavan won a Grammy for Best
Brazilian Song for "Acelerou" at the first Latin Grammy Awards. -- Alvaro Neder, All Music Guide
Press contact: Lydia Pinto
713-952-4071
[email protected]
EDITORS AND WRITERS PLEASE NOTE:
Videos of DJAVAN at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEnWY744aHY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=964nCbfZ2LM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSltbtS8h6o&feature=related
Downloadable Photos of DJAVAN at: www.djavan.com.br (photo link "sala de imprensa")
High resolution images can be emailed to you upon request.
Tickets on sale!!! @
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/34553
Tickets: $ 40.00 - $ 50.00 and $ 60.00
$50.00 - $60.00 and $70.00 at the Box Office on day of the show, Cash only.
You can also purchase tickets at the following locations:
Emporio Brazilian Caf
12288 Westheimer
Houston, TX 77077
281-293-7442
Sergio & Doris Travel Inc
12000 Westheimer Rd # 101
Houston, TX 77077
(281) 679-9979
Carioca Restaurant
8811 Synott Rd
Houston, TX 77083
(281) 561-5100
AUSTIN
ANA BRASIL
7817 Rockwood Lane, Ste 101
Austin, TX 78757
Phone: 512-697-9863
Fax: 512-407-9541
For more information, please call: 713-952-4071
###
Contact Information:
Lydia Pinto
NEXT Brazilian Productions
houston, Texas
Voice: 713-952-4071
E-Mail: Email Us Here
Website: http://www.myspace.com/brazilianeventshouston
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