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Kenia

KENIA is renowned for her ability to translate the complex rhythms of her Brazilian homeland into jazzy creations that made her a star of the smooth jazz movement two decades ago. Her 2016 release on Mooka Records, “On We Go,” is a fresh collection of songs that will entice a new generation of listeners, as it showcases Kenia at the top of her form with a seductive, polished vocal phrasing. “Once again, the vocalist has bridged jazz, international pop and Brazilian music and done so effortlessly, in one of her best works to date” (Jazz Corner). “It’s hard to believe Kenia approaches any song with any trepidation. On her new album whether it’s the fast-moving, hip-swaying “Summertime” or the languid ballad, “Melancia,” she’s confident, as if engaged in a natural conversation with friends against a fantastic musical backdrop that refuses to stay down for long” (Carol Banks Weber – AXS). She has taken us on a beautiful, soulful journey, revisiting her beginnings and looking towards the future… “On We Go.”

Kenia’s music continues to transcend geographic and musical boundaries. Throughout her storied recording career, Kenia has performed at national and international festivals from the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival to the Bonaire Heineken Jazz Festival in the ABC Islands. She has collaborated not only with jazz icons but also with up and coming artists, such as a 2011 show with Pittsburgh-based trumpeter Sean Jones. She is equally enchanting performing standards by big names (Gershwin, Lennon and McCartney), works by contemporary composers (Romero Lubambo, Luiz Simas) and original material with her own lyrics and music composed for Kenia by the likes of Antonio Adolfo.

For many jazz fans in the 1980s and 90s, Kenia’s singing was the gateway to contemporary Brazilian jazz and pop. She stood out from her compatriots because of her intimate, smooth vocals—subtle yet soulful—and her finesse with both American standards and Brazilian material. Arriving in the United States in 1980, Kenia quickly established herself as the hot new Brazilian singer on the NYC scene and recorded her U.S. debut with trumpeter Claudio Roditi on his album “Red on Red.” She launched her solo recording career, turning out four popular and critically acclaimed albums for the MCA and Denon labels between 1987 and 1991. Music legends James Taylor, Michael Brecker, and Chuck Loeb (Fourplay) invited her to record on their albums, and Donald Harrison utilized Kenia’s vocals on the soundtrack for the Brazilian documentary, “The Devil’s Toothpick.” In 1997, she launched her own label, Mooka Records, with a particularly ambitious effort: “Project Ivan Lins,” a tribute to one of Brazil’s most prolific and popular contemporary songwriters, featuring Lins himself as a special guest.

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Album Review

Kenia: Simply Kenia

Read "Simply Kenia" reviewed by Dr. Judith Schlesinger


Long-term fans of Brazilian music will recognize the personnel on this CD as some of its very best practitioners, but any newcomer can hear how good they are. Born in Rio and living in the U.S. since 1980, the singer Kenia has released four previous CDs that, like this one, feature an eclectic mixture of tunes which are polished to a high gleam. Kenia's voice has been compared to Astrud Gilberto's, but while they do share a certain sweet breathiness, ...

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Recording

Brazilian Vocalist Kenia Pays Homage to the Dorival Caymmi Songbook on Her New Mooka Records Release, "Kenia Celebrates Dorival Caymmi"

Brazilian Vocalist Kenia Pays Homage to the Dorival Caymmi Songbook on Her New Mooka Records Release, "Kenia Celebrates Dorival Caymmi"

Source: DL Media

Brazilian Vocalist Kenia Pays Homage To The Dorival Caymmi Songbook On Her New Mooka Records ReleaseKenia Celebrates Dorival Caymmi Ever hungry for new challenges, the sultry-voiced Brazilian enchantress Kenia, who reemerged on the jazz scene two years ago with the critically-acclaimed album Simply Kenia, serves up one of the most demanding and satisfying projects of her three decade long career with Kenia Celebrates Dorival Caymmi on Mooka Records.Renowned for her ability to ...

“Once again, the vocalist has bridged jazz, international pop and Brazilian music and done so effortlessly, in one of her best works to date.” (Jazz Corner)

“It’s hard to believe Kenia approaches any song with any trepidation. On her new album whether it’s the fast-moving, hip-swaying “Summertime” or the languid ballad, “Melancia,” she’s confident, as if engaged in a natural conversation with friends against a fantastic musical backdrop that refuses to stay down for long” (Carol Banks Weber – AXS)

“Kenia is a talented performer, with great stage presence and a gift for engaging the audience. Her knowledge and passion for Brazilian music and art is evident in her stage performances, and she educates her audience with every song.” (Janis Burley Wilson – The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust)

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Primary Instrument

Vocals

Location

Pittsburgh

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Clinic/Workshop Information

Kenia’s long time commitment to promoting Brazilian music and culture includes hands on clinics and workshops in phrasing and Brazilian rhythms, including an introduction to Brazilian rhythms for children.

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