Brazilian Summer in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California - Queen of Bossa Nova Lenny Andrade sang at the Jazz Bakery with intimacy and depth, as if she were telling her own story in each of the songs she performed. She made it personal. Even in her scat singing, her signature was present. It is evident why she has been one of Brazil’s great jazz vocalists.

Brazilian Nights Productions presented at the Ford Amphitheater one of the most exciting L.A. summer concerts, starring the traditional Brazilian samba group Fundo de Quintal, directly from Brazil. The musicians invited some of us on stage to join the fun. I danced, sang and never sat down. Most of the audience did the same. A few days later, headlining the first concert in the Hollywood Bowl’s summer World Music Series, Carlinhos Brown, always ready to give more with his exciting, polyrhythmic style, got the audience off their seats and into the aisles.

For a perfect musical contrast there was the performance by Joyce and Dori Caymmi at the Jazz Bakery. Dori with his deeper voice and I-don't-like-to-smile style can turn even a frivolous happy samba into an introspective, moody dramatic song, contrasted beautifully with the ever-so-light feminine singing style of Carioca-born Joyce.

Do you know the feeling you get when you hear a song that conveys a meaning you never understood or heard before? Well, that's what I felt when I heard Joyce sing "Sampa" by Caetano Veloso and "Conversa de Botequim" by another of Brazil's greatest composers, Noel Rosa. Those are two songs I grew up singing, but this time Joyce's interpretation was like watching a play - my Brazilian heart was happy, my body wanted to dance... in the corner of the room a couple had taken off their shoes and were dancing together... I smiled for they were doing what is natural when you hear Brazilian music - romancing and dancing.

Hairstylist/artist at the Byu-ti Salon in Santa Monica, Luciana Mazieiro proves that your look can influence how you and others feel about yourself. Using her unique concept of Visagism she creates a sense of identity that reveals the inner self with harmony and esthetics. She has created major transformations for her clients, which allows them to attract and experience beauty, love and success when before it was not possible.

Mauricio Zanotto has been a video editor and TV Director since 1986. Since he moved to Los Angeles he has worked as a Media Representative for many channels in South America, Brazil. His creative style, technique and highly professional skills make him one of the hottest editors in his field and more companies are becoming aware of his talent, especially sports channels. Mauricio has recently filmed/edited my interview with Caca Diegues for The Bianca Rossini Show. Working with Mauricio has been a great pleasure, not only is he outstanding as a video artist, but his warm personality makes a perfect combination.

Brazilian artist Carmem Gusmão, who moved from L.A. to Fort Lauderdale has been a shining star in the cultural and artistic life in Florida. She painted live during the stage performance of “Brazilian Voices Choir” at the Broward Center Performing Arts, adding a multimedia dimension to the evening. Her individual exhibition at the Miami Design District drew an amazing crowd and press. Carmem is launching of her new exclusive jewelry collection inspired a one-woman photography show by Paola Matarazzo. Her painting can be seen at the Sofisa Bank in Coral Gables . Carmem was invited as a special guest to speak about the “Challenges for Brazilian Artists in the American Market” at the Brazilian Press Award Forum in Miami.

Speaking of Carmem, she was in town recently for the launching of her exclusive jewelry collection at Frederic Missir in Beverly Hills, combined with a book signing for my poetry book A Brazilian Heart that features Carmem’s artwork. The evening was a success - practically all the woman including me were wearing Carmem’s exclusive necklaces and earrings, and many couldn’t wait to purchase her new line. In attendance were store manager Wendy Zvara and guests: Cherryl Gelling, Dale Ross, Linda Allen, Dori Jewel, “Dr. 90210” Robert Ray, Ligya Germano and husband, Linda Timpone, Desiree Doubrox, Rose Resnick and her husband and nephew, Carmem's husband Fernando Francheschini, artist Aaron Kai, and Contessa Francesca.

Director Marcelo Gomes was in town for the LA screening of his internationally acclaimed film Cinema, Aspirins & Vultures. The beautiful and poetic film tells the true story of Gomes's uncle set in 1942 in the Northeastern state of Pernambuco. It is a film about friendship, destiny and the search for dreams. The film’s language and performances are poetic, innocent and gentle, a stunning contrast with the blinding light, desert landscape and hardship of the region. An unforgettable moment occurs when actress Fabiana Pirro responds to her co-star who suggests, "You should be in the movies." She replies, "These people look unhappy…what I want is to be happy." The original music is by Tómaz Alves de Souza, who used typical instruments of the time, such as the period accordion, which added to the nostalgic feeling of the film. Adding songs sung by Carmen Miranda and Francisco Alves, the soundtrack is perfect. The Brazilian Consulate gave a reception before the screening. There I met and talked to Gomes, producer Sara Silveira and actors Peter Ketnath and João Miguel. Also present was Brazilian cultural attaché Sonia Gomes and Carol Fabi of the Italian Film Commission.

Sia Amiri and Charles Picerni celebrated in lavish style the opening of their new restaurant in Century City Mall – UMMBA Grill. Samba queen Christiane Callil hosted the party with her samba dancers and Brazilian percussionists, adding a sexy, fun flavor to the evening with lots of dancing. Every Sunday Bakari DJs party at UMMBA GRILL, with an atmosphere of fun typically Brazilian.

Special thanks to Publicist Denise Doorman, Phil Smith, Fabio Garcia and Hugo Espinosa. Bianca’s hair is done by Luciana Mazieiro.

Bianca Rossini was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She is an author, accomplished actress, singer and talk show host. Her acting credits include the films The Fast One, Brainiacs, Mobsters, Bad Influence and Moon Over Parador, and the television shows Martial Law, Diagnosis Murder, The Sentinel, Chicago Hope and Matlock. Bianca’s first music CD includes a song co-written with Hollywood film and TV composer Glenn Scott Lacey. The collection of original Latin, pop, jazz tracks features notable musicians such as Flora Purim and Marco Tulio. After reading Bianca's book of poetry A Brazilian Heart, American pop songwriter Ken Hirsch ( If I Could, No One in the World, I’ve Never Been to Me) invited Bianca to write the lyrics for one of his songs, which she titled "First of December." Several other popular composers are interested in having Bianca write original lyrics for their compositions. She lives in Beverly Hills where she currently produces, writes and hosts a weekly TV talk show The Bianca Rossini Show. The Bianca Rossini show is presenting the world premiere of Bianca in Paraty - a two part TV show filmed by Gisele Feth and edited by Gustavo Dias. Bianca is the author of Julia: Confessions of a Brazilian Super Model and A Brazilian Heart: Rubies, Murdered Love and Other Poems, her first bilingual poetry book. For more information, visit the official Bianca Rossini website.