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Leonardo Lucini

Born in Rio de Janeiro and currently living near Washington, DC, bassist Leonardo Lucini has been bringing the sounds of Brazilian jazz to American audiences for over a decade.

Lucini is a virtuoso performer on electric and acoustic bass. Trained in both classical and jazz styles, he holds a master’s degree in music performance from University of Maryland. He is knowledgeable about many world music styles, including a vast range of Latin music. His own compositions are often based on unique Brazilian rhythmic styles, going far beyond the expected samba and bossa nova to Maracatu and Afoxe. His love of the music overflows. An able clinician, he also conducts lectures and workshops on Brazilian jazz.

Lucini has toured extensively in Europe, Asia and Australia. He has performed, recorded, and toured with many other international artists including flutist Nestor Torres; saxophonists Alex Han, Jeff Antoniuk, Raul Mascarenhas, Leo Gandelman and Chris Vadala; and pianists Arturo O’Farrill, Benito Gonzalez, Federico Pena, Cesar Orozco, Alex Brown, and Vince Evans; harmonica player Gregoir Mauret; and trumpet sensation Sean Jones.

In his native Brazil, Lucini has performed extensively with well-known artists such as saxophonist Paulo Moura, pianist and composer Marcos Valle, percussionist Marco Suzano, guitarist Rogerio Souza, the ever-popular Nó Em Pingo D'Agua and the Orquestra de Música Brasileira.

Leonardo Lucini's brother, Alejandro, is a gifted drummer and percussionist. The brothers live in Maryland, near Washington, DC. and perform often in the region (and beyond) with their band, Origem. They have graced the stages of the Kennedy Center and many Smithsonian concert halls, as well as popular venues in the “U” Street jazz district. They also accompany many other international performers in the District and on tour.

Origem has recorded one album, Ijexa, featuring the Lucini brothers and other stellar performers including flutist Enrique Rios, saxophonist Peter Fraize, and pianists Dan Reynolds, Jon Ozment, and Vince Evans. The selections range from Brazilian tunes to contemporary jazz and fusion, including originals - all given a Brazilian twist. A second disc is due out in 2012.

A gifted educator as well as a virtuoso performer, Lucini often combines concert performances with jazz education, employing his mastery of the bass guitar and his expertise in Brazilian and other Latin jazz styles. He has performed and offered clinics at Berklee College of Music, George Washington University, Goucher College, and University of Maryland. In the Washington, DC area, he has also led InDepth Jazz Clinics & Concerts and various workshops at institutions such as American University, George Mason University, Frederick Community College, and the Library of Congress. He is the former director of the award-winning String Orchestra of the Hyattsville Middle School for the Performing Arts and is currently an artist in residence at Montgomery College. He has won numerous distinctions and awards as an educator.

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Album Review

Alan Schulman: AS IS: O Holy NIght

Read "AS IS: O Holy NIght" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey


The jazz ensemble AS IS is cleverly made up of husband and wife Alan Schulman (guitar) and Stacey Schuleman (vocals) with a historically fluid remainder of the band. The pair have two previous self-produced releases: A Love Like Ours (2017) and Here's To Life (2018). The two artists return in this holiday season with a provacative reading of the French Carol “O Holy Night." With a fearless abandon, the two plop the chilly and ancient carol squarely into ...

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In a February 2012 performance at the noted DC jazz club Twins, the brothers accompanied Cuban/Venezuelan piano phenomenon Cesar Orozco. Baltimore music writer Liz Fixsen says, “I was impressed with the dynamic interaction of the three musicians who hadn’t performed together before that night. Leonardo kept his eyes and ears tuned on Orozco, alert to his every direction, and never missed a signal. Although Orozco’s blistering tempos and complex Latin rhythms were pushing them to their limits, the brothers rose to the challenge with impressive energy and creativity—and with sheer delight.”

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

To Love Again

Self Produced
2021

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To Love Again -...

Nanny Assis Arts
2021

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AS IS: O Holy NIght

Night of the Elephant
2021

buy

O Holy Night

Night, Night The Elephant Productions
2021

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