CARU LINS
Vocals
Glamorous Brazilian singer Caru Lins, stands out not just as a distinctive voice but as a sophisticated interpreter of the exciting and passionate strains of traditional Bossa Nova.
Strongly influenced by Brazilian classical composers, interpreters and improvisers such as Tom Jobim, Vinicius de Moraes, Joao Gilberto, and Elis Regina. Her live shows not only embrace her musical ingenuity but also a great deal of charm and humor. Despite her international career, singing abroad as a contracted singer in Malaysia, Panama and Sweden and in London at places such as Ronnie Scott’s, One of London’s top Five Stars Hotels – Browns Hotel in Mayfair – singing regularly for 3 years,Pizza On The Park Jazz Venue, Spice of Life Jazz Venue – she stayed true to her Brazilian roots.
GIULIO LAMPRONTI
Electric bass, Double Bass
Upright and electric bassist.
Giulio Lampronti received a degree in Jazz at the Conservatory "G.B. Martini" of Bologna (Italy) and also a PhD in Mineralogy. He's currently a research technician at the Dept. of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge but you'll also see him regularly play at many venues in Cambridge with The Andy Bowie Quartet, The Alley Cats and Rcubed.
MICKY ASTOR
Guitar
Micky discovered Brazilian music way back in the mid sixties, and has been wild about it ever since. He also plays jazz guitar in a quartet, and trombone in a big band. But the music of Samba and Bossa remain his first love.
VICKI KENNY
Keyboard
Vicki Kenny is a Jazz pianist, teacher, and music therapist working in Cambridge. She plays jazz regularly with different musicians performing for rep music, and is band leader and musical arranger of The Alleycats a seven piece jazz band playing new and fresh arrangements from children's classic films. "I am loving the opportunity to explore this infectious music from Brazil!
LES CIRKEL
Drums and Percussion
In his early days as a professional he worked with such star names of the time as Dana, winner of the Eurovision Song Contest in 1970, Cilla Black, when she was a singer and not just a personality, the Walker Brothers and American singing group The Drifters.
A long-time resident of Hatfield, over the years Les has played with most of the top names on the UK jazz scene – for quite some while was also the regular drummer with the late Ian Pearce’s Big Band.
One of the highlights of Les’s career was playing on the soundtrack of Stanley Kubrick’s film, Eyes Wide Shut, starring Tom Cruise.
In addition to playing on gigs, Les also holds drum tutorial workshops, with the aim of passing on his expertise and knowledge to future exponents of the art of rhythm.
TERRY DAVIS
Double Bass
Terry studied jazz bass under Dave Holland (Miles Davis), and has since worked with many notable jazz musicians including Johnny Dankworth and Cleo Laine, Slim Gaillard (Charlie Parker),Al Grey and Buddy Tate (Count Basie Orchestra), and Martin Drew (Oscar Peterson Trio ). Terry has also worked with many rock and pop artistes, and has recorded with Rod Stewart, and toured with Eric Clapton ( support band.)
Terry has performed many times for Her Majesty The Queen at Buckingham Palace, and has worked at many other venues including Althorp ( Princess Diana’s family home), Ronnie Scott’s, The Dorchester, Claridges, and even the Albert Hall! Here is what some people have said about Terry’s playing ( and singing! ) Lionel Richie: ” You’re doing a really great job!! ” Johnny Depp: ” That’s cool, man!! ” Melvyn Bragg: ” I must thank you for your lovely music!!” Prince Philip: ” That was absolutely splendid music!! “
Newton Peres
Percussion
Born in Northeast Brazil, Newton imprints his Afro-diasporic influences in his music. He studied classic drum kit and percussion but immensely valued learning from playing street rhythms at Carnivals, like Maracatu, Samba and Afoxé. Teaching and leading Afro-Brazilian drumming groups is a real passion that he managed to do in Brazil, Canada, Australia, Germany, the USA and now Cambridge. Newton holds a PhD in Immunology and is an Associate Researcher at the Dept. of Medicine of the University of Cambridge.
Paul Stubbs
Trumpet
With his lyrical style, Paul has been a versatile fixture of the Cambridge jazz scene for well over 20 years.
Equally capable of playing fluently in musicals, pop, rock and swing - he prefers the music of a land he has never visited - Brazil!
Tempted by its exotic rhythms and beautiful melodies, his style naturally fits this wondrous fusion that has captured the world's musical imagination.
