Juliana Areias's High Five

Historical article recovered from a Wayback capture dated 2018-02-24.

Recently compared to renowned contemporary bossa nova singer Bebel Gilberto by Brazil’s acclaimed EPOCA Magazine and with over a year of consecutive sold out concerts around Australia, Brazilian Singer Juliana Areias is already a reference in the local music scene and abroad. Juliana’s music embraces several shades of the Brazilian music spectrum and its resonance with jazz and other international musical styles. Her authentic Brazilian voice, sense of groove, engaging charisma and a very personal and passionate stage presence are the trademarks of her work.

Juliana was personally introduced to the Bossa Nova founders when she was a teenager by legendary Brazilian Music historian and journalist Ruy Castro who also named her “The Bossa Nova Baby”. This direct learning and unique experience have inspired her to become a professional singer.

Juliana Areias has lived for many years in Europe (Switzerland) and New Zealand prior to moving to Australia. Always working in the music circuit, her career includes performances at major international festivals such as the revered Montreux Jazz Festival, Auckland Festival, and American’s Cup (NZ).

Most recent performances include, a concert at 505 in Sydney, The Kings Park Festival, The Perth International Jazz Festival, New York’s exhibition “Van Gogh, Dali and Beyond” at The Art Gallery of Western Australia, and Ritmo Festival at The Darling Harbour, performing for over 30.000 people.

1. ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM & BAND – Concert at Ibirapuera Park, Sao Paulo, Brazil – 28/11/1993

11am - I was there in the first row! 50.000 people came to watch it. This concert happened just about a year before his death on 08/12/1994 in New York. It was always my dream to meet Jobim, my favourite composer and one of the fathers of Bossa Nova. Jobim performed with his band called “Banda Nova ”, featuring his son Paulo on guitar, the great Jacques Morelenbaum – cello, Tiao Neto – bass, Paulo Braga - drums, Danilo Caymmy -flute and his unique female choir always singing in unison: Ana Jobim (his wife, not on stage that day), Elizabeth Jobim (his daughter) , Paula Morelenbaum, Maucha Adnet and Simone Caymmi . I still have the printed program of the concert. Jobim generously performed 25 songs, being 23 of his originals including bossa classics such as “Girl from Ipanema”, ” One note samba” and “Waters of March” as well as beautiful more contemporary songs such as “Passarim” “Borzeguim”. He also included 2 non-original songs ” Maracangalha” (by Dorival Caymmy, father of Danilo) and “Choro Bandido” (by Edu Lobo and Chico Buarque). I was there,18 years old, in ecstasy watching this masterpiece. It was certainly one of the most important experiences of my life which inspired me to become the “bossa nova baby”.

2. RITA LEE - “Show Lanca Perfume” at the “Palacio de Convencoes do Anhambi” in Sao Paulo, Brazil 1980

I was a lucky child for having a mum and dad whom would take me to live concerts since I was a baby Mind you we had a military dictatorship in Brazil at the time. Kids below 10 years old officially could not attend concerts. Many artists in this period went to jail and in fact most people believed that concerts where not a safe place even for adults. My father took me to this concert when I was 5 years old and I fell in love with Rita Lee’s theatrical stage presence and her “Bossa n’ roll” songs. Yes, she is the queen of Brazilian pop rock, yet, she has a soft voice and made some quite unique collaborations with “Joao Gilberto” the father of Bossa Nova as a rhythm and artistic aesthetic . They recorded together the songs “Brasil com S” and “Jou Jou Balaganda”. The first song I sung “in public for an audience” in my life was Rita Lee’s “Lanca Perfume” the song title of this concert. I performed it , in a bus, standing at the top of the bus motor box, beside the bus driver. My first original album “Bossa Nova Baby”, released now in 2015, is actually dedicated to these two main musical influences of my life: Antonio Carlos Jobim and Rita Lee.

3. LENY ANDRADE - show: “Eu quero ver”, at “Inverno e verao” Bar in Sao Paulo, Brazil on 22/09/1990

I was introduced to the fabulous work and talent of Leny Andrade by my Aunt Silvia Mendes, who took me to see this show adverting me: ” This is Leny Andrade, you will hate it or you will love it, there is no other middle possibility”. I loved it. Leny is probably one of the only Brazilian singers who improvises like jazz singers do without losing her “Brazility ”. She has a brilliant and unique sense of rhythm. This was an intimate performance with her amazing trio composed of pianist Joao Carlos Coutinho, drummer Adriano de Oliveira and bassist Luizao Maia. Leny is the singer I have most watched live in my whole life since then. She still performs around Brazil and USA, with these same musicians. Leny has influenced my sense of rhythm and has introduced me to the world of jazz. Thank you Leny!

4. LENINE - show: Cite, at “Cite de La Musique”, Paris, France on 30/04/2004

Well, I must confess that I was not there, but I wish I was. This is the best live DVD show I have watched in the past 15 years. Lenine is a contemporary Brazilian composer, who started to become famous from the late 90’s. He is my third favourite composer (after Antonio Carlos Jobim and Djavan). He is from Pernambuco, in the northeast of Brazil, the land of the rhythms “Frevo and Maracatu”. His music has these roots and yet, it is universal at the same time. This concert has a magic balance of intensity and serenity. It is organic, it’s alive and pulsating, it is full of light and shadows, and it’s real. It was masterly performed by only three people on stage: Lenine ( voice and guitar), Cuban female bass player and singer Yusa and Argentinean percussionist Ramiro Musotto. Ramiro is unfortunately dead already We are very lucky to have it recorded in DVD, I truly recommend it to anyone interested in pure and raw musicality. This concert keeps my faith in great live music.

5. SADE -The Esplanade - Perth, Australia on 06/12/2011

Well, I was wondering if I should finish this High 5 list with Sade or Stevie Wonder, who also came to Perth on 15/10/2008 performing at the Burswood Dome. I had the privilege of watching both concerts and I am a fan of both of them. Stevie’s concert was delicious to watch but the stage and sound system were far too distant. Unfortunately I could not feel connected. The Sade concert, in the other hand, had a huge production with magnificent stage level changes, sound and lights for an open air concert . She performed with her original band, displaying great respect and friendship between them on stage. They were having a party and so did the audience. The level of energy, professionalism and musicality was high and I could feel connected. Sade’s music has that softness aesthetic similar to Bossa Nova, which I really appreciate. This show reveals that even an “alternative” band and intimate voice like hers can also benefit from a big production if made with great quality.