Planeta Azul Carnaval - (Overview)
The Planeta Azul Carnaval band is made up of some of the most highly regarded musicians in the Chicago music scene (Brazilian and non): Luciano Antonio (Brazilian Jazz Guy), Felipe Fraga, Andre Azoubel, Heitor Garcia, Yuri Hevia, , Marcos Oliveira, Edinho Gerber, and Clarice Cast...some of whom have performed together for over 15 years. Masters of their respective craft, they come with a lifetime of formal and informal training and have the innate sense needed to achieve the passion of this compelling music and beat. This young and dynamic group heats up the Brazilian and Latin music scene throughout Chicago and the Midwest. Individually and together they are among the most commissioned artists for collaborative efforts and works, which include professional recordings, concerts, and other social and private events: recent engagements include the Jakarta International Jazz Festival, opening performances for Caetano Veloso, Vinicius Cantuaria, Virginia Rodrigues, Howard Levy, Roberto Assad, Bobby Broom, Bob Lizik, Yolanda Adams and Joe Vasconcelos, the Chicago Mayor’s Office of Special Events, The Democratic Convention of 2004.
15 years in the Chicago music scene and a lifetime of Brazilian Jazz...
Felipe was born on December 18, 1980 in Curitiba, Parana, in Brazil’s southern region. With the encouragement of his mom, Maria, he took his first drum lessons at the tender age of 9. By the time he was 12 he was a member of Paraná’s renowned Tia Paula’s Marching Band, where he further developed his abilities, focusing his repertoire on classical music. At age 16 he gained acceptance into the Fine Arts and Music School of Paraná (EMBAP) during which Felipe was actively performing with local Symphonic and Philharmonic Orchestras, big bands and marching bands, and later, participating in the Annual Music Symposium of Curitiba (Oficina de Musica de Curitiba). It was at the Music Symposiums that Felipe was introduced to MPB (Popular music of Brazil), leading him to take part in the MPB Orquestra of Curitiba, Choro groups, various session recordings, the short film ‘Rosinha Minha Sereia’ and teaching with MPB Conservatory. While in Brazil Felipe had performed with Arthur Moreira Lima, Altamiro Carrilho, Jose Canuto, and Roberto Gnatalli. Felipe’s musical journey led him to the United States at the age of 20 where he relocated to Chicago establishing himself as a performing artist. With many great collaborations under his belt, Felipe continues to be a force in the Brazilian music scene. While in Chicago he has performed/recorded with: Howard Levy, Roberto Assad, Bobby Broom, Bob Lizik, Yolanda Adams and Joe Vasconcelos. Other recent engagements include: Chicago Summerdance, the Democratic Convention of 2004, openings for Vinicius Cantuaria and Daniela Mercury.
Edinho Gerber was born in Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, and
Clarice Cast is a percussionist of Brazilian and Afro-Brazilian rhythms. She has performed with many Brazilian and American musicians, and participated on many CD recordings as well. She teaches Brazilian percussion for children, teenagers and adults. Clarice is currently attending Northern Illinois University as a percussion performance major, taking lessons with Robert Chappell and Greg Beyer and can be seen performing throughout Chicagoland with many of the great Brazilian music groups: Evanston Orquestra De Samba, Barioca, Brazilian Jazz Guys, and Bossa Tres...
Heitor was born in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, where he started his music education in 1983 at “Milton Nascimento’s Musica de Minas” and at the Music Conservatory of MG. In 1984, he traveled throughout Brazil, recording and performing on live T.V., concerts, radio shows, and theaters. Heitor moved to Chicago in 1991, and has been working as a drummer and percussionist ever since, participating in various Brazilian, Latin Jazz, and world music groups: Paulinho Garcia’s Jazzmineiro, Ensemble Kalinda, Chicago Immigrant Orchestra; and for the past 3 years as an invited musician of the Joe Vasconcellos US/Canada tours (one of Chile's best known singers/composers in South America). His recent achievements with the band Hijazz (Hijaz) incorporates Brazilian and Latin jazz into Arabic Jazz.
Rachel is the founder of Passista's Samba Dance Group and the co-founder of Planeta Azul Carnaval with Luciano Antonio. A life long lover of Brazilian music and dance, she has trained extensively with renowned Chicago Queen of Samba, Ana Ribeiro, studied under internationally recognized choreographer and instructor, Edilson Lima of Sao Paulo, Brazil and famous TV star and Rainha de Bateria (Samba Queen) from Rio de Janeiro, Dill Costa. Rachel and the Passistas Samba dance group participate in many educational performances and workshops in public schools and universities as well as other educational and professional engagements. The Passistas dance group has performed throughout the Midwest and made several appearances for regional and nationally televised programming on Univision and Telemundo, including guest appearances on Escandalo T.V. and Control, dancing samba in costume. They work with different costume designers who design and make all of the headpieces and alternate (non-beaded) dance costumes and travel to Brazil annually to personally select hand-made designs so that all of their outfits are brand new or in excellent condition. Passistas Samba can provide whatever the event requires - ranging from the liberal to the ultra-conservative. Past and current performances include nightclubs, Universities, corporate events, weddings, galas, fund raisers, children's events and churches! All dancers employed are professional, young, lovely and fit (all photos showcased are NOT touched up or photoshopped).