MARLBORO-Chilean vocalist Natalia Bernal and guitarist Jason Ennis present a selection of music from the Americas, including Brazilian bossa nova and samba, Chilean and Argentinian folk songs, boleros, and jazz standards at Thrush Hill Stage, 314 Upper Houghton Rd., on Saturday, July 12, at 7 p.m.
Bernal hails from Iquique, a city nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Atacama Desert.
Jesse Lepkoff, who is the host of Thrush Hill Stage and also dabbles in Brazilian music, has performed with Natalia.
"Natalia's rich and entrancing voice evokes the drama of the natural surroundings of her homeland," Lepkoff said in a news release. "Drawing from songwriting traditions of Latin America, her original compositions and selections from the Great American Songbook surprise with a refreshingly improvisational texture."
As the Thrush Hill website reports, Ennis, is "an incredibly versatile guitarist" from Williamstown, Massachusetts, whose music includes influences of classical, jazz, samba, and choro. "He is an exciting voice in the world of jazz guitar," said Lepkoff, stating Ennis is "highly in demand as a soloist, sideman, bandleader, and musical director."
"They create their own style that defies categorization," said Lepkoff about the duo. "The rich sound of Jason's seven-string guitar is an apt springboard for Natalia's deeply emotional renderings from Jobim to Gershwin or bolero," said Lepkoff. "Her dark resonant and burnished contralto voice is perfect for both jazz and latin music. This show is not to be missed!"
Tickets can be purchased for $20 in advance from thrushhillstage.com or at the event. This will be an open-air concert or, in case of rain, held in the intimate Thrush Hill Studio. Chairs provided; picnickers and blankets welcome. Guests may bring their own beverages to enjoy. No animals, please. Parking is limited; please carpool when possible.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.