Jazz, Latin Stars, Local Artists Perform At Strathmore In October

From Strathmore: Strathmore’s 2017–2018 Season is anchored by a series of concerts from international artists sharing the sonic riches of their heritage—music that inspires, unites, and sparks conversation. The first of these concerts are presented in October with two powerhouse artists whose music has been embraced around the world—legendary Brazilian bandleader Sergio Mendes, followed by Mexican-American singer-songwriter Lila Downs. In a nod to last Season’s sweeping, season-long exploration of the blues, Strathmore presents Primary Blues: Blues 101 for Families, (301) 581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.October events in the Music Center at Strathmore include:AN EVENING WITH

SERGIO MENDES Thursday, October 19, 20178 p.m.Music CenterTickets $29-$69Grammy winner Sergio Mendes’ influence on the music industry has spanned five decades. The megastar musician’s signature mix of bossa nova, samba, and pop have come to define Brazilian music. His classic song “Mas Que Nada” is the first Portuguese language song to ever hit Billboard’s U.S. Pop chart, making the composer, keyboardist, and vocalist one of the most successful Brazilian artists of all time.

LILA DOWNS Friday, October 20, 2017 8 p.m.Music CenterTickets $38-$78Grammy Award-winning Mexican-American artist Lila Downs has an unforgettable voice, innovative approach to music, and poignant storytelling ability that transcends language and cultural barriers. One of the world’s most singular voices, she reinterprets music from its roots, fusing together pop, Mexican, and indigenous sounds informed from her upbringing in both Minnesota and Oaxaca, Mexico. Bridging traditions, her musical mélange brings together influences ranging from the folk and ranchera music of Mexico to North American jazz and blues.

PRIMARY BLUES: BLUES 101 FOR FAMILIES Saturday, October 28, 201711 a.m.Music CenterTickets $5 (kids 12 & under), $14 (adults)This multimedia concert gives kids and adults a crash course in the blues. Alumni of Strathmore’s Artist in Residence program, led by local jazz singer Rochelle Rice, foster an appreciation for the iconic artists, rhythms, and history of this quintessentially American music. With special guest artist, harmonica player and Baltimore fixture Horace “Black Magic” Turner, musicians combine powerful stage presence and compelling musicality to introduce the roots of the blues in a fun, educational style, as they run up and down the blues scale, exploring a linear evolution of the genre and the legacy of icons such as Muddy Waters, Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, and B.B. King. Performers include Mark Meadows (piano and vocals), Nate Foley (electric bass), Cristian Perez (acoustic guitar), Elijah Jamal Balbed (saxophone), Rachel Winder (saxophone and flute), and recently-announced title-character in The Wiz at Ford’s Theatre, Jobari Parker-Namdar as narrator.

Image Courtesy of Strathmore