Sambeleza opens jazz series on March 3

WATERBURY >> The Spring Jazz Series kicks off at the Palace Theater Poli Club on Friday, March 3 with Sambeleza. The series is produced by New England Arts & Entertainment. Showtimes are 7 and 9 p.m., with the bar and doors opening at 6:15 p.m.

Sambeleza performs a wide variety of Brazilian songs — both old and new — with a jazz twist. Featured composers include Tom Jobim, Ivan Lins and Ary Barroso, as well as younger composers like Djavan, Dani and Debora Gurgel and Arlindo Cruz. The group also performs a number of original compositions to round out the mix. Brasil (spelled with ‘s’ in Portuguese) is well known for its rich heritage - a blend of indigenous, African and European cultures from which the music has risen with fascinating rhythms, soaring melodies and colorful harmonies.

Sambeleza derives its name from two words: samba, the national dance of Brasil, and beleza, Portuguese for “beauty.” The group has performed widely in Connecticut at festivals - including the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, Middletown Summer Sounds, Milford and Hamden Arts Councils — and at universities, nightclubs, restaurants, and libraries throughout the Southern Connecticut region.

The musicians of Sambeleza, Laura Volpintesta, Joe Carter and Jeff Fuller, are outstanding U.S. and Brazilian interpreters of the great songs of the bossa nova and samba traditions, as well as outstanding jazz artists in their own right. They will be joined by saxophonist Tim Moran and Brazilian drummer Adriano Santos.

The series continues on March 17 the Louise Baranger Trio, which returns with a St. Patrick’s Day Beer tasting hosted by Black Hog Brewery. Drummer Philippe Lemm and his trio appear on March 31. On April 21, Cheryl Bentyne, one of the members of Manhattan Transfer will perform with her quartet.

And on May 12, Charlie Apicella and Iron City will perform a BB King Tribute show. A subscription ticket for all five shows includes reserved seating at each show and is available from the Palace Theater Box Office at a $21 savings off regular prices.

Tickets are available at the Palace Theater Box Office at 203346-2000 or www.PalaceTheaterCT.org

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Sambeleza will perform March 3 at the Poli Club at the Palace Theater in Waterbury.