BELEZA - Madeline and Berto Sales

Artist Information

Biography

United by musical interests that include samba, funk, soul, blues, bossa, jazz and Spanish flamenco; Humberto Oliveira Sales and Madeline Holly Sales blend the melodic, rhythmic and harmonic riches from North and South America.  Berto, native to Brazil, pursued a formal education in classical guitar. His knowledge of Brazilian rhythms and study of Spanish Flamenco add to the unique finger picking style he uses.   Madeline brings with her the strong influence of soul, jazz and blues.  She sings in Portuguese, English and Spanish.  Her sensual, rich voice, playful interpretations, and strong stage presence make their combination extremely unique. They perform as a duo or with a full band, accompanied by Dave Berzonsky on bass and Matt Wyatt on drums.  Special guests include Jeff Decker on saxophones and Eric Gertner on percussion. 

Since living in the U.S., Beleza has continued to incorporate the influence of funk, blues, and soul into their unique style.  The resulting concoction was aptly described by one fan as funkalicious samba soul.  Their new EP was 100% fan funded and includes originals as well as Beleza arrangements.

In 2011 as both performers and music educators, the duo traveled with Enrichment Voyages (academically sponsored by the University of Virginia) around Central America, through the Panama Canal, into the Amazon River in Brazil, and throughout the Caribbean.

Instrumentation

Madeline Holly-Sales - Lead Vocals
Humberto Oliveira Sales - guitar and vocals
Dave Berzonsky - Bass
Matt Wyatt - Drum Set
Jeff Decker (special guest) - Saxophone
Eric Gertner (special guest) - Percussion

Discography

1. 'Cookin' with Flavour' - Beleza's EP of funkalicious samba soul released in the spring of 2011.

2. 'Time to Dream' is Beleza Brasil's CD, featuring a Brazilian band and a combination of the rhythmic and melodic riches from The US and Brazil.

Official Website

http://www.BelezaMusic.com

Links

• Facebook
• Twitter
• MySpace

Audio

• Mas Que Nada
  Listen  
• Sunshine on a Saturday (Acoustic)
  Listen  
• Water to Drink/Agua de Beber
  Listen  
• Sunshine on a Saturday
  Listen  
• Maria das Mercedes
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Sunshine on a Saturday

Video

Beleza Brasil in Reston - "Batucada"

Photo Gallery

Press

• Beleza Brasil CD Review [+ Show ]
  

  Genuine joy and exuberance are rare in recorded music. Combine these emotional qualities with savvy ...Genuine joy and exuberance are rare in recorded music. Combine these emotional qualities with savvy vocals and sophisticated musicianship and you've got the beginning of a description of Beleza Brasil. Time To Dream was recorded in Brazil but the band's musical choices reveal a range of styles and influences including jazz, pop, and rhythm and blues. The majority of tracks are Brazilian classics that are delivered with the casual confidence of long familiarity with the material.
  
  The session opens with a lively display of three highlights of the recording: Madeline Sales's flexible, versatile singing; Humberto Sales's shrewd acoustic guitar playing; and the complex layers of rhythm intertwining below the melody line. Madeline shifts from tempo-to-tempo with uncanny ease and agility, emotionally attuned to the material whether it's from the pen of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Irving Berlin, or bluesman Eric Bibb. Humberto deserves commendation for his sophisticated arrangements of a mix of Brazilian and North American traditions; he is also the leader and the hub of this band, weaving the vocals and multi-layered rhythms together with precise and swinging guitar work. Throughout the session the rhythm section, often including an electric piano, is superb.
  
  Highpoints of the session include Jobim's opening "Agua de Beber (Water to Drink)," featuring both the vocals and acoustic guitar. The vocals slide effortlessly between Brazilian and English, with some deft scat singing tossed into the mix. With their Brazilian credentials firmly established the band transitions into Berlin's classic "Cheek to Cheek"; here, Madeline's ease in shifting rhythmically into a swing jazz mode is notable.
  
  Humberto's guitar sets the bluesy tone and temper of Bibb's "Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down." The track develops within an extended vocal/guitar duet, over effective and understated percussion and drum work. Again, the vocals are entirely convincing, demonstrating Madeline's exceptional range and talent.
  
  Incidentally, Beleza Brasil could be translated as Beautiful Brasil, and the core of the band (Madeline and Humberto Sales) have relocated to Charlottesville, Virginia. Their Virginia-based group is on its way to becoming as good on stage as their Brazilian band is on disc. Reportedly, Time To Dream will be followed by a Virginia-based recording in the near future.
  
  Track listing: Agua de Beber (Water to Drink); Fever; Chego de Saudade (No More Blues); Cheek to Cheek; E Preciso Perdoar; Influencia do Jazz; Chovendo na Roseira (Double Rainbow); Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down; Isso Aqui o Que; Chiclete com Banana; Mas que Nada.
  
  Personnel: Madeline Sales: vocals; Humberto Sales: acoustic guitar, vocal percussion; Mito Cameroun: bass, programming; Edie Cameroun: drums; Aldemir Cameroun: elecrtic guitar (2, 4, 6, 8) ; Jeff Decker: saxophone (3, 6); Leonardo Barbosa dos Santos: elecrtic piano
  
  
  Mike Neely
  
  
  

• Funkalicious Duo Finds Their Rhythm
  

  "Deliciously Exotic"

• Cville Niche Interview with the band
  

  “Samba funk soul rock with some heavy groove to move,” offers Matt Wyatt . . .

• Brasil Nuts: Beleza Starts Hearing Things
  

  "The harmony and melody is more bluesy, and the rhythm is more Brazilian"

• Beleza's New Release - 'Cookin' with Flavour'
  

  " If you’re hungry for a little funk with your Latin music, Beleza is serving up something new. "

• Sensational! [+ Show ]
  

  "Beleza Brazil is sensational! Berto's infectious guitar grooves and Madeline's soulful singing wor..."Beleza Brazil is sensational! Berto's infectious guitar grooves and Madeline's soulful singing work together to present a truly unique sound. Each song and each performance keeps you wanting more. Their energy is amazing."
  
  - Jeff Decker, UVA Jazz Faculty

• The crowd loves them [+ Show ]
  

  Beleza Brasil was fantastic . . .and PERFECT for our venue and crowd. Everybody was dancing and mesm...Beleza Brasil was fantastic . . .and PERFECT for our venue and crowd. Everybody was dancing and mesmerized by Madeline's voice.

• Beautiful Brasil
  

  " . . .hot, hot, hot . . ."

• Get Out Now
  

  "... Beleza Brasil is a passionate, playful duo featuring classical guitar and rich vocals..."

• Beleza Brasil Adds Unique Twist to Jazz Performances [+ Show ]
  

  "...It features the shining guitar of Berto Sales as well as Madeline Sales' gymnastic vocals, which..."...It features the shining guitar of Berto Sales as well as Madeline Sales' gymnastic vocals, which are sung with passion in three different languages, something she finds energy from..."

• Nuevas Raizes
  

  "... la pareja del momento..."

Setlist

Brazilian Repertoire:
Aquarela do Brasil
A felicidade
A Ra
Agua de Beber
Amor em Paz
Berimbau
Brigas Nunca Mais
Bananeira
Capin
Chega de Saudade
Chiclete com Banana
Chovendo na Roseira
Cocovado
Curumim
Danca da Solidao
Desafinado
Desde que o Samba e Samba
Dindi
Doralice
E D'Oxum
E Preciso Perdoar
Favela
Fato Consumado
Falsa Baiana
Flor de Liz
Garota de Ipanema
Influencia do Jazz
Insensatez
Isso Aqui O Que E
Ladeira da Preguica
Manha de Carnaval
Maracangalha
Maria das Mercedes
Mas Que Nada
O Barquinho
O Pato
O Samba da Minha Terra
Rio
Retrato em Branco e Preto
Samba de Uma Nota So (One Note Smaba)
Samurai
Sina
So Danco Samba
Triste
Upa Neguinho
Vatapa
Wave

Funk/Soul/Blues/Fusion Repertoire:

Sunshine on a Saturday
Tired of Waiting
Well, Well, Well
A MInha Alma
I Gotta' Be Me
Ha Dias
Pagode Russo
Deusa do Amor
Protesto Olodum
Toque de Timbaleiro
Don't Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down
Agua de Beber
Batucada



Latin-Jazz Repertoire
Afro-Blue
Besame Mucho
Chan Chan
Dos Gardenias
Enciendete Candela
El Carretero
El Pescador
Guantanamera
Guajira
Moliendo Cafe
Negra Presentuosa
Primavera
Tres Palabras
Tula
Ventilador Rumba 80

Jazz Repertoire:
Autumn Leaves
All of Me
As
Caravan
Don't Worry About a Thing
It Ain't Necesseraly So
It's all Right With Me
I Could Write a Book
I Wish
It Don't Mean a Thing
I've Got you Under My Skin
Let's Stay Together
Love For Sale
Loverman
Lullaby of birdland
My Funny Vanlentine
My Romance
Nature Boy
Night and Day
Perdido
Rout 66
Satin Doll
Softly as in a Morning Sunrise
Stomping at the Savoy
Stormy Weather
Sunny
Take the A Train
They Can't Take that Away from Me
The Way you Look Tonight

Basic Requirements

Calendar