Vinicius Cantuária & Bill Frisell @ Le Poisson Rouge

Vinicius Cantuária was born in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, then moved to Rio with his family at age 7. As a musician he connects several zones of Brazilian music. He is sometimes labeled as a ‘post-electronic acoustic’ and typically included songs by Jobim and Gilberto Gil. I got introduced to him when he was collaborating with Arto Lindsey while working at the Knitting Factory and I was fascinated with his experimentation and fusion of many genres of music. Tonight he teams up with avant-roots guitarist Bill Frisell to play selection from their new Lágrimas Mexicanas. Cantuária’s new album was inspired by the scenes outside his brooklyn apartment on 7th Ave. He blends bluegrass to boss nova with elements of pop. The collaboration between the two was delightful as they played off each other’s notes and melodies rising slowly and inviting you into the larger compassion.

http://www.vinicius.com/

Ben Neill, Michael Lowenstern and Todd Reynolds @ Littlefield

Soundscapers Ben Neill, Michael Lowenstern and Todd Reynolds combined their imaginative sounds for a unique performance in Brooklyn. The venue was fitting for the artistic and musical spectacle. Each artist displayed their talents in solo, duo and trio sets. They were accompanied by incredible dynamic video projections that perfectly captured the energy and sound in the room in visual form. I knew Ben Neill from my Knitting Factory days and I am so glad he has matured into a more creative composer blurring the lines of electronica and contemporary jazz. These three combined ambient, funk and jazz in such a perfect union and I hope more of these collaborations are planned for the future. Michael Lowernstern will be at SXSW and Todd Reynolds sill be releasing a new album later in March.