Luiz Simas
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Luiz Simas

New York, New York, United States

New York, New York, United States
Band World Jazz

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Music

Press


"New Chorinhos from Brazil"

(Luiz’s) playing is sassy, clear, vibrant, yet understated ... his music ...sounds fresh, smart, and witty - Titus Levis, Keyboard Magazine


"New Chorinhos from Brazil"

(Luiz’s) playing is sassy, clear, vibrant, yet understated ... his music ...sounds fresh, smart, and witty - Titus Levis, Keyboard Magazine


"Wonderful musician"

Luiz Simas is not only a wonderful musician, singer and composer, he is an engaging performer who draws his audience into his witty, joyful, sensuous musical world.  Simas epitomizes the fantasies we non-Brazilians have about that wonderful country, and with him, we all get to be Brazilian, at least for the a couple hours! - Judy Carmichael, pianist


"Wonderful musician"

Luiz Simas is not only a wonderful musician, singer and composer, he is an engaging performer who draws his audience into his witty, joyful, sensuous musical world.  Simas epitomizes the fantasies we non-Brazilians have about that wonderful country, and with him, we all get to be Brazilian, at least for the a couple hours! - Judy Carmichael, pianist


"Best choro release"

Luiz Simas has done an outstanding job! His ("New Chorinhos from Brazil" CD) ...is by far the very best choro release out of Brazil in recent years...superbly performed. - Egidio Leitão, Luna Kafe


"Best choro release"

Luiz Simas has done an outstanding job! His ("New Chorinhos from Brazil" CD) ...is by far the very best choro release out of Brazil in recent years...superbly performed. - Egidio Leitão, Luna Kafe


"Recipe for Rhythm"

“This ("Recipe for Rhythm") album is a gem. If you like lush, exotic Brazilian rhythms to dance to, contemplate to, or just to dream or work to, this is just the thing. A very fine surprise” - The Critical Review


"Recipe for Rhythm"

“This ("Recipe for Rhythm") album is a gem. If you like lush, exotic Brazilian rhythms to dance to, contemplate to, or just to dream or work to, this is just the thing. A very fine surprise” - The Critical Review


"Cafuné"

"Cafuné [Luiz Simas’ new cd] – I had to look up the word – is a smart, fresh, and extremely musical offering from a really talented Brazilian guy .......  I was delightfully surprised..." - Tom Schnabel, KCRW-fm, Santa Monica CA


"Cafuné"

"Cafuné [Luiz Simas’ new cd] – I had to look up the word – is a smart, fresh, and extremely musical offering from a really talented Brazilian guy .......  I was delightfully surprised..." - Tom Schnabel, KCRW-fm, Santa Monica CA


"Brazilian Frank Sinatra"

"Simas has a wind-swept, deliriously romantic croon that is best exemplified by "Meu Rio" and "A Rede, a Brisa e o Som do Mar.... At times he comes across as a Brazilian Frank Sinatra, but Ol' Blue Eyes never had backing music as thrillingly exotic as this. There are some absolutely dreamy moments on this LP.... Simas reaches beyond the Brazilian pop base and into jazz, world, and Bossa Nova. It's a joy from beginning to end, the perfect album to caress your head with" - Adam Harrington, Whisperinanhollerin.com


"Brazilian Frank Sinatra"

"Simas has a wind-swept, deliriously romantic croon that is best exemplified by "Meu Rio" and "A Rede, a Brisa e o Som do Mar.... At times he comes across as a Brazilian Frank Sinatra, but Ol' Blue Eyes never had backing music as thrillingly exotic as this. There are some absolutely dreamy moments on this LP.... Simas reaches beyond the Brazilian pop base and into jazz, world, and Bossa Nova. It's a joy from beginning to end, the perfect album to caress your head with" - Adam Harrington, Whisperinanhollerin.com


"Firecracker of a record"

“This is a firecracker of a record, exploding with jubilant Latin rhythms, richly textured jazz backbeats, and even elegant classical touches... Cafuné already has my vote as among the year’s finest. Musically,... spectacular .... “Sambinha do Chinés” injects Oriental flavors on playfully energetic piano. “Cabelos Brancos” is a river flow of elevating sax and laid-back piano, flute, and cello. “A Chama” combines Brazilian pop with classical atmospherics while “A Revolta dos Mares” is ice-cool lounge music. - Vivian Fields, midnightjazz.wordpress.com


"Firecracker of a record"

“This is a firecracker of a record, exploding with jubilant Latin rhythms, richly textured jazz backbeats, and even elegant classical touches... Cafuné already has my vote as among the year’s finest. Musically,... spectacular .... “Sambinha do Chinés” injects Oriental flavors on playfully energetic piano. “Cabelos Brancos” is a river flow of elevating sax and laid-back piano, flute, and cello. “A Chama” combines Brazilian pop with classical atmospherics while “A Revolta dos Mares” is ice-cool lounge music. - Vivian Fields, midnightjazz.wordpress.com


Discography

LUIZ SIMAS’ CDS RELEASED IN THE US:

New Chorinhos From Brazil
Impromptu
Recipe for Rhythm
Luiz Simas Live in New York City
Cafune (also released in Brazil)

Photos

Bio

LUIZ SIMAS
Short bio

Luiz Simas was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is a composer, singer and pianist, and he has performed and recorded with many of the top Brazilian artists. Many of his songs have been recorded in Brazil and in the US, and he also composed several soundtracks for tv. Luiz was the first musician in Rio to use a synthesizer, and he composed and recorded sound effects for several tv and radio networks, including the trademark sound for Brazil’s principal network (TV Globo).
Living in New York since 1989, he has performed as a solo singer/pianist, as well as with his own group in various jazz clubs, jazz festivals, universities and music halls, both in the US and in Europe, in the Caribbean (Jamaica, Trinidad, British Virgin Islands) and in Brazil.
He’s also a very sought-after music director and arranger, having worked in the US and In Brazil in numerous recordings and live performances with several jazz and Brazilian jazz artists.
Luiz is also a teacher of Brazilian popular music history, having given several courses at CUNY’s graduate center on the subject.

SELECTED PERFORMANCES (solo or with his group)

MUSIC HALLS AND UNIVERSITIES:

Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall
Rutgers University
Roger Williams University (RI)
Spanish Institute
Consulate of Poland
Greater Harford Academy of the Arts
Greater Princeton Steinway Society
City University of New York Graduate Center
Cinema Arts Center, (Huntington, LI)
Brazilian-American Cultural Center (Washington, DC)
Buschnell Theater (Hartford, CT)
Atheneum (Providence, RI)
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art (Hartford, CT)
Westminster Choir College (Princeton, NJ)
Nassau Community College (Nassau, LI)
Brooklyn Conservatory
Sesc Avenida Paulista (São Paulo, Brazil)
Sala Cecilia Meireles (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Santosha Arts Center (LI)

JAZZ CLUBS AND FESTIVALS

Oslo Jazz Festival (Oslo, Norway)
Sala Jazz Series (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Vinnitsa International Days of Jazz (Vinnitsa, Ukraine)
Odessa Jazz Carnival (Odessa, Ukraine)
Chopin and Friends Festival (Consulate of Poland, NYC)
Hartford International Jazz Festival (Hartford, CT)
Rocky Mountain Ragtime Festival (Boulder, CO)
Birdland Jazz Club
Village Gate (as music director and keyboard player for legendary Brazilian singer Elza Soares)
Mistura Fina Jazz Club (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Main and Hopewell Jazz Club (Glansbury, CT)
Gate’s Pub (Brasilia, Brazil)
Letras e Expressões (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Arts Nights at Europa Club (Brooklyn, NY)
BargeMusic (Brooklyn, NY)

OTHER VENUES

Mirage Hotel (Las Vegas)
Harbourplace Renaissance Hotel (Baltimore)
Plaza Athenée Hotel
Costa Magica Cruise Ship (concert for Holistic Holiday at Sea)
Programa do Jo (the main late night television program in Brazil)

ARTISTS WITH WHOM LUIZ SIMAS PERFORMED AS SIDEMAN
Natalie Carter
Elin
Samba Novo
Sue Terry
Sue Maskaleris
Ze luis
Oswaldo Montenegro
Sergio Dias
Marilia Pera and many others ...

MUSIC GROUPS IN WHICH LUIZ SIMAS PARTICIPATED AS A FOUNDING MEMBER
Agora-4, Modulo 1000, Vimana, Aluá

DISCOGRAPHY

LUIZ SIMAS’ CDS RELEASED IN THE US

New Chorinhos From Brazil
Impromptu
Recipe for Rhythm
Luiz Simas Live in New York City
Cafune (also released in Brazil)

RECORDINGS AS A SIDEMAN (over 300 recordings)

Elin (as music director, arranger, co-producer)
Raul Seixas
Oswaldo Montenegro
Jorge Ben
Marilia Pera
Ze Ramalho and many others ...

ARTISTS AND GROUPS WHICH RECORDED LUIZ SIMAS' ORIGINAL MUSIC

Módulo 1000
Vimana
Ritchie
Lobão
Ana Caram
Gil (female singer)
Marilynn Mair
Hendrik Meurkens
Group Triangulo and many others ...

Band Members