Richard Miller, Guitar; Sergio Krakowski, Pandeiro; Itaiguara Brandão, Bass
Performing choro, bossa nova, samba, forró, mpb, and Brazilian jazz, the trio has been playing for two years, touring the United States and performing in New York City, where they are based. Made up of three virtuosos, they trio creates a dynamic and enchanting musical experience. Recent performances include 49 West Jazz Club in Annapolis, MD, Georgetown University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Anne Arundel Community College.
Richard Miller, Guitar
Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Richard’s recent credits include Musical Director for Olivério: a Brazilian Twist at the Kennedy Center, 2016; Pope Francis, September 2015; National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Awards at Strathmore Hall, 2013; President Obama, White House, 2009; concerts and workshops at University of Florida, Middlebury College, Georgetown University, Virginia Commonwealth University, UPenn, College of Charleston, Texas Southern University, among many others; performances at Merkin Hall, BB Kings, Iridium, DROM, and many other venues in New York City. A review of his US State Department recital asserted that Richard, “not only displayed impeccable technique but communicated his love of music.” A review in the Washington City Paper by Joel Siegal of the duo of Richard Miller with Patrick de Santos (voice) stated, “Patrick and Richard strike a remarkable balance between disciplined technique and emotional abandon.” With a Master’s in performance from Manhattan School of Music and a Ph.D. in music theory, Richard is also active as an educator, writer, and composer and teaches at Columbia University. Richard Miller earned a Ph. D. in music theory from Catholic University of America and a Masters in guitar performance from Manhattan School of Music. He currently teaches music theory and ear training at Columbia University and is the Director of Education Programs for the Afro-Latin Jazz Alliance. Lambert Academic Publishing recently published his dissertation, “The Guitar in the Brazilian Choro.” A long-time practitioner of yoga and surfing, Richard created the Balanced Guitar retreat to enable students to learn a holistic lifestyle that will ensure many years of healthy and creative guitar playing. The guitar/yoga/surfing retreat takes place in Costa Rica in January (www.balancedguitar.com).
Sergio Krakowski, Pandeiro
Born on December 18th 1979, Sergio dedicated his whole life to the Pandeiro, also known as the Brazilian Tambourine. A complete “hand drum kit”, this instrument has always been considered a symbol of Brazilian Music and Culture. Crossing whatever national and cultural barrier, Sergio made this instrument a possible tool in various musical genres, from the Choro, the fundament of Brazilian Music, to Jazz, Contemporary and Electronic Music. In twenty years of career, Sergio Krakowski has shared the stage with artists such as Maria Bethânia, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Lionel Loueke, Donny McCaslin, Anat Cohen, David Binney, Edmar Castañeda, Cyro Baptista, Gregoire Maret, Tigran Hamasyan, Dan Weiss, Miles Okazaki, John Escreet, Nate Wood, Lenine, Chico César, David Linx, Chano Domínguez, Maria João, Mario Laginha, Nelson Veras, Yamandú Costa and Hamilton de Holanda. In June 2013, Sergio moved to New York and got involved in many musical projects, recorded on the album “Anacapa” by David Binney, joined Edmar Castañeda’s World Music Ensemble, created a duo project with Cyro Baptista that played at the legendary experimental music headquarter, The Stone, and joined the Choro Aventuroso, Anat Cohen’s Brazilian music band that performed in NYC’s most prestigious venues such as the Jazz at Lincoln Center, the 54 Below, and outside the US, at the Umbria Winter Jazz Festival.
Itaiguara Brandão, Bass
Itaiguara is a New York City-based recording artist and bassist/guitarist. A native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he has toured internationally and recorded extensively with a wide range of Latin and World Music artists such as: Dom Salvador, Marcos Valle, Chuck Loeb, Leny Andrade, Paulo Braga, Randy Brecker, Roberto Menescal, Leo Gandelman, Paquito D’Rivera, Claudio Roditi, Robin Eubanks, Jovino Santos-Neto, Dave Kikoski, Emílio Santiago, Elba Ramalho, Guilherme Arantes, Romero Lubambo, Vinicius Cantuária, Horacio Hernandez, Hugo Fattoruso, Oriente Lopez, and Paula Morelenbaum. Itaiguara has been one of the most sought-after freelance musicians in the United States, having completed nearly 6,000 performances in the past 21 years. He is featured as the double-bass player in Dom Salvador’s “The Art Of Samba Jazz,” winner of the prestigious Premio da Musica Brasileira (the Brazilian Grammy) for “Best Instrumental Album of 2011” and nominated among the three best instrumental groups of 2011.
