2010/02/17

Nuno Silva

After his studies at the National Conservatory of Theatre in Lisbon (ESTC) and at the London Studio Centre, Nuno Silva embraced a free-lance career that continues to bring together Dance, Singing and Theatre. He was part of prestigious companies: Henri Oguike Dance Company, KNDC, Protein Dance and Grange Park Opera. With HODC he was the Assistant Director as well as being a dancer. With Grange Park Opera he sang in the chorus of "Eliogabalo", directed by David Fielding and he danced in "The Cunning Little Vixen" directed by David Alden. Presently Nuno is touring in Arthur Pitas "Gods Garden" where he sings Fado and dances. Touring includes the Royal Opera House in London. Fado is one of Nuno's main passions in life. He is currently putting together "Fado Can Dance", a series of dance duets and solos inspired by Fado music. In 2008 he participated in the Theatre Festival "Curtas" in Lisbon, remounted Henri Oguikes "Frontline" for the National Ballet of Portugal (CNB), gave Musical Theatre Recitals (songs from West Side Story, Miss Saigon, Cabaret, Lion King and Jesus Christ Superstar) and was a Guest Artist at the Belgrade Dance Festival. Before this he directed his own show "M'Àgua" (with 30 local participants selected from percussion and dance workshops) a dance/theatre show about the legends of the Enchanted Moorish Princesses in Algarve; choreographed the closing ceremony of the "II Percussion Festival of the Algarve": "In C" (music by Terry Riley) played live by the group Drumming. He also directed "O Ritmo das Estações", a large-scale Music and Dance Event in V. R. Sto António with live music played by the Algarve Orchestra (Vivaldis "4 Seasons") with over 130 performers. Throughout his career he has taught dance to professionals, students and beginners (in the UK, Israel, Germany, Portugal, China, Syria, Italy, France, amongst other countries).
(from text by Nuno Silva)

2010/02/11

Maria Anadon

Photo taken from here

Singer Maria Anadon released her debut CD, “Why Jazz?” (Movieplay/Grove 1995) sided by the American female quartet Unpredictable Nature. The album was contemplated with a Cultural Interest Manifesto by the Portuguese Ministry of Culture. Her second album, “Cem Anos” (Movieplay/Grove 1998) is totally sung in Portuguese and recreates – giving them contemporary angles - some of the most notable songs that have been soundtrack to the Portuguese cinema scene. Maria Anadon’s voice paves the way to a journey crossing one century of Portuguese movies’ History, and all the while mixes it with several influences: the Lisbon Fado, the aromas of African coffee, the native sounds from South-America and the mood of New Orleans jazz clubs. The Portuguese Ministry of Culture also graced this work with a Cultural Interest Manifesto. Her third album, “A Jazzy Way”, graced with yet another Cultural Interest Manifesto by the Portuguese Ministry of Culture, sees the light of day in 2006 and finds her deepening her work with the American all-female jazz band Five Play (Arbors Records 2006). The album marks the definite international establishment of her voice as a jazz reference. «One thing that Ms. Anadon does do very consistently is bring a fresh and original approach to every song she sings.» In The New York Sun - Will Friedwald; «Maria Anadon is a new voice but one that should be heard often.. She is deep in the jazz tradition.» In The Review Corner - Herb Young. «Jazz is a universal language. For instance, a genuinely gifted pianist from Denmark can craft as fine a treatment of “Days of Wine and Roses” as an American like Fred Hersch. But it’s different for vocalists. Maria Anadon is a delightfully rare exception.» In Vox - Christopher Loudon“Smile” (IPlay 2010), Maria Anadon’s fourth solo CD, loaded with new standards, rarities and a tribute song to Charles Chaplin, again recorded with the all-female American band Five Play, is scheduled to be released in March, once more benefiting from a Cultural Interest Manifesto by the Portuguese Ministry of Culture.
(from text by Maria Anadon)