Among the great Brazilian composers, Antonio Carlos Jobim best captured the nuance of an island breeze, in its ability to be both soothingly cool and warm at the same time. Vinicius Cantuária is a sublime yet incisive interpreter of Jobim’s sambas and bossa novas — they waft from his guitar and vocals with the composer’s trademark beguiling elegance. Like Jobim, Cantuária was raised in Rio with an affinity for jazz. Last year he released an album devoted to Jobim’s songs and staged a memorable eight-night residency in San Francisco covering the catalog. His renditions tinker with the harmony and leave the memorable melodies (like the indelible „Girl From Ipanema“) intact. (Britt Robson, Minneapolis Star Tribune)
Vinicius Cantuária attained fame in the late ‘70s, as drummer of Caetano Veloso’s controversial group A Outra Banda Da Terra. Cantuária wrote “Lua e Estrela” (Moon and Star), the 1981 hit that transformed Veloso from a revered musical visionary into a genuine Brazilian pop icon. But since settling in Brooklyn in 1994, Cantuária has devoted himself to singing, guitar, jazz, and bossa nova, honing a gorgeous body of songs that embodies his singular synthesis of New York City and Rio de Janeiro. Many jazz fans discovered Cantuária through a pair of projects with guitarist Bill Frisell, including Frisell’s 2003 world-jazz session The Intercontinentals and their inspired album of duets, 2010’s Lágrimas Mexicanas.
An entrancing solo performer, Cantuária is a bossa nova poet who accompanies his light, João Gilberto-like vocals with caressing guitar work and gorgeous melodies. He has led a prolific recording career, with thirteen albums under his own name since the early ‘80s. Along the way, he has collaborated with a heavyweight cast of sonic explorers such as David Byrne, Angélique Kidjo, Laurie Anderson, Bebel Gilberto, Brian Eno, Brad Mehldau, Jenny Scheinman, and others. Cantuária is one of the great interpreters of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s treasured compositions, and for this special night, Cantuária will pay tribute to the giant of Brazilian music.