Get ready for sounds of Brazil @exuberance.

Tyler Blanton discovered Gary Burton and Milt Jackson in music school and found his instrument. A vibraphonist and composer, Tyler teaches and tours around the world and performs in distinctly varied contexts. His last album as leader Sense of Place finds him swinging hard with Drew Gress, Johnathan Blake and Jon Cowherd. He’s a founding member of the electro-funk Hornē Electric Band. He plays with Donny McCaslin, Nate Wood, Ari Hoenig, Anthony Pinciotti and Rick Rosato among others. For his visit to @exuberance, Mr. Blanton joins forces with a venerable Brazilian pianist.

Helio Alves combines the rhythmic complexity of modern Brazilian music with the energy of contemporary jazz. Since his move from São Paulo to NYC in the '90s, Alves has worked with Joe Henderson, Yo-Yo Ma, Sadao Watanabe, Slide Hampton, Airto Moreira & Flora Purim, Paquito D'Rivera, Joyce, and Rosa Passos to name a few. I saw him for an unforgettable evening at Dizzy’s with Vinicius Cantuária. Among his albums as leader: Trios, Portrait in Black & White, It's Clear and Musica—featuring Antonio Sanchez, Reuben Rogers, Claudio Roditi and Romero Lubambo.

Edward Perez returns to @exuberance having appeared here once with Arturo Stable, and again with Ralph Peterson. Equally at home in a number of genres, Perez has worked with Lee Konitz, Kenny Werner, Lionel Loueke, Mark Murphy and Mark Turner; Latin-jazz giants Paquito D'Rivera, Ignacio Berroa, Arturo O'Farrill and Hector Martignon; Afro-Peruvian musicians Eva Ayllón, Juan Medrano Cotito, and Julio "Chocolate" Algendones; Colombian songstress Lucia Pulido. His compositions and arrangements have been performed by The Silkroad Ensemble, Yo-Yo Ma, Galician gaita powerhouse Cristina Pato, Latin-jazz legend Ignacio Berroa, violinist Johnny Gandelsman, Latin Grammy-nominated Peruvian singer Jorge Pardo, oud phenom Kenan Adnawi, and many more.

Drummer and percussionist Duduka Da Fonseca was born in Rio de Janeiro. He was playing drums at 12, and by the age of 15 was performing with some of the most experienced musicians in Brazil. In 1975, Da Fonseca moved to New York where his career flourished playing with such ensembles as Brazilian Express, New York Samba Band, and the Brazilian All Stars. Along the way, Da Fonseca was a faculty member at the Drummers Collective in New York and has conducted workshops in Japan and Europe. He is also the author of the instructional book and tape set Brazilian Rhythms for Drumset. Over his career, Da Fonseca has performed and recorded with Antonio Carlos Jobim, Herbie Mann, John Scofield, Gerry Mulligan, Joe Henderson, and many others. In 1992, he co-founded Trio da Paz with guitarist Romero Lubambo and bassist Nilson Matta. They have several releases on the Malandro label.
This A-list ensemble will explore a range of Brazilian compositions, both familiar and obscure, uniquely arranged for the group's instrumentation and sense of interplay. Plan on joining us.
Tyler Blanton & Helio Alves
8-11pm Saturday, April 4
1220 N. Mascher St. (steps away from the Girard Ave. El stop) [map]
We contemplate a $30 donation to support the musicians and provide appropriate refreshments. Cash only, please.
Click RSVP to this invitation to get on the guest list. Invitation expires when we reach 85 attendees. Looking forward to seeing you.
Matt Yaple
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@exuberance parties at Matt’s are by invitation only to provide a dignified, comfortable and acoustically ideal setting for worthwhile art and ideas. Cellphones and other devices are to be holstered during the performances. Between sets, conviviality rules.