An evening of Brazilian music with a dazzling city backdrop

Local multi-style cellist Catherine Bent and Brazilian mandolin prodigy Ian Coury dazzle and charm listeners with their unique take on Brazilian instrumental music.

Catherine Bent, an alumna of Cirque du Soleil, has performed and recorded with Joe Jackson, Lee Konitz, Donna Summer, and many others. She is regarded in Brazil as the leading cellist in the choro genre. Ian Coury is an award-winning 10-string bandolim player and composer from Brazil who has shared stages with Brazilian legends like Toninho Horta and Hamilton de Holanda.

The two have a musical connection that transcends their backgrounds and crystallizes around their passion for Brazilian choro music. Choro (pronounced “shoh-roh") is an instrumental music that has its origins in late 1800s Rio de Janeiro. It's been likened to New Orleans jazz, and shares that tradition's improvisation, soulfulness, and often irrepressible joyfulness.

Choro music arose in 19th century Rio de Janeiro from the union of West African rhythms and dances (principally the lundu), and European popular dance (including polka, schottisch and waltz).
This occurred in the upper-class ballrooms, and also in the streets and bars of Rio and its suburbs.
In essence an oral tradition, choro lends itself as easily to intricate arrangements as to extravagant and spontaneous improvisation.
This program will feature both!