On Saturday, July 19, Orcas Center will host two performances with legendary Brazilian jazz percussionist Airto Moreira. Joining Airto and band members Harvey Wainapel (saxophone), Gary Brown (bass), and Kit Walker (keyboard), will be vocalist Diana Booker and her husband, Krishna Booker. Opening the show will be Orcas favorites Martin Lund and Gene Nery.
One of the most high-profile percussionists in the world, Airto is legendary in the jazz world, having performed and recorded with such icons as Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Stan Getz, Dave Holland and Chick Corea. He was a member of the original band, Weather Report, and along with Flora Purim, the group Return to Forever with Corea, Joe Farrell and Stanley Clarke.
Moreira’s partner, Flora Purim, was scheduled to perform at Orcas Center, but a family emergency is preventing her from traveling to Orcas Island. While Purim deeply regrets missing this performance, Orcas audiences will be treated to a special two-generation event with Airto and Purim’s daughter Diana Booker and her husband Krishna Booker. “I have been a Flora Purim fan for 30 years,” remarked Orcas Islander Kristen Wilson when learning of the program change. “The first time I ever heard her sing was at the Monterey Jazz Festival. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I am equally excited about hearing their daughter Diana Booker perform.”
Diana and Krishna share a musical collective, with Rashid Duke, that performs and records a wide variety of musical styles, including Afro-Brazilian and Latin, hip-hop, acid jazz and funk. Each comes from the stock of great jazz pioneers – Krishna is the son of the late Walter Booker, bassist, and nephew of Wayne Shorter; and Rashid is the son of pianist and producer George Duke.
Diana began her musical career touring, in her mother’s belly, with Chick Corea. Having grown up in the music field, today she possesses extensive experience with the recording process and is an accomplished vocal arranger, stylist and lyricist. Fluent in Portuguese, Spanish and English, she is able to execute virtually any style of music. She and Krishna continue to write and produce music for her parents as well as for themselves and other artists.
On July 19, Orcas audiences will have the pleasure of experiencing a rare performance that features the pioneering sounds that put Flora and Airto on the international jazz scene, while introducing the next generation’s musical direction.
Tickets to the 9 p.m. show are $30 and $25 for Orcas Center members. Tickets may be purchased at www.orcascenter.org or by calling (376-2281) or visiting the box office Thursday – Saturday, noon – 4 p.m.
The Gala returns
Quickly becoming an Orcas tradition, a mid-summer gala party is thrown each year that provides great music and food, fun and funds for Orcas Center. Past years’ summer galas have featured the Texas swing band Asleep at the Wheel and Buckwheat Zydeco. This year’s theme is a Brazilian Carnaval – in keeping with the country of origin of the featured artist, Airto Moreira. Gala tickets offer great value – at $150 per person, the ticket includes a pre-performance reception at 5 p.m., a special gala performance at 6 p.m., hosted bar and authentic Brazilian dinner featuring Stroganoff de Galinha, feijao, legumes grelhados and beijos de coco (coconut kisses).
All net proceeds for the Carnaval Gala benefit Orcas Center’s diverse programming. Gala host sponsorships are still being sought. Gala hosts provide $1,000 to help underwrite event costs, so that the maximum gala proceeds may be applied to future Orcas Center programming. Hosts receive two tickets to the Gala.
Gala tickets for both events may be purchased at www.orcascenter.org or by calling (376-2281) or visiting the box office Thursday – Saturday, noon – 4 p.m.
drumming workshop with Moreira
A Master Drumming Class with Airto Moreira will also be offered.
Drummers of all skill levels are invited to participate in a master drumming class with Airto on Friday, July 18 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. The cost is $20, and a package of $35 is available for the drumming workshop AND the Saturday performance. For more information or to register, please contact Deborah Sparks at 2281 ext. 2 or sparks@orcascenter.org.
