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.

Full Moon Party official site | Full Moon Party on Facebook

After the rise and fall of his fame as the “Dell Computer Dude,” award-winning actor & Tennessee native musician, Ben Curtis, decided to pursue his roots in his first passion: music. It was at that moment that he met California-born Cassie Fireman.  The two fell in love, writing music in the moonlight of New York City. Their connection was immediately electric and there was no escaping their unbreakable bond. They’ve since had 3 musical projects together ranging from bluegrass to hard rock, and as a result, have been featured in numerous national publications. However, it wasn’t until they met they met the insatiable and multi-talented Ohioan, Robbie Frost (guitar/piano/vocals), that they found a style that stuck. The three singer/songwriters co-founded FULL MOON PARTY, an unforgettable sound of dirty blues, sultry jazz & rocking Americana. 

Full Moon Party has been described as Trixie Whitley taking a walk with the Lumineers haunted by Tom Waits.  Ever since they met in 2016, the dynamic trio have not stopped writing hit after hit. As if it couldn’t get better, they’re further complimented by the recent find of 3rd generation upright bassist, Frank DiNunzio III, who’s catchy bass lines keep your foot stomping all night long. Not only do they each bring a unique flavor to the table, but together they are a recipe for unmistakable success. In less than a year together, they’ve been featured on the CW Network & graced world class venues such as (le) Poisson Rouge. Hard to believe they’ve only just begun. Be sure to catch them before they’ve exploded across the nation.

Freddie Bryant official site | Freddie Bryant on Facebook

The great guitarist Kenny Burrell wrote, “Freddie Bryant is a brilliant young guitarist and composer.” He is a versatile musician skilled both in jazz and classical music. Freddie is currently in demand in the New York jazz scene where he works with Ben Riley’s Monk Legacy Septet (“Memories of T” on Concord Records), The Ben Riley Quartet (new CD release – March, ’12), the Mingus Orchestra and his own group, KALEIDOSCOPE whose new CD was just released in Oct. ’12 on the HiPNOTIC record label.

2014 marked the release of Bryant’s seventh CD, Dreamscape: Solo, Duo, Trio which features the stellar cast of Chris Potter – reeds and Scott Colley – bass as well as the leader playing four guitars: Telecaster, Jazz arch-top, classical and 12-string. Jazz writer Bill Milkowski wrote: “Imbued with Bryant’s inimitable touch, inherent soulfulness and the element of surprise, Dreamscape: Solo-Duo-Trio is also marked by the guitarist’s ability to seamlessly traverse the classical-jazz divide on this collection of jazz standards and compelling originals.”

Freddie has also had the honor of touring with three legends of the music world: African singer, Salif Keita, the virtuoso klezmer clarinetist, Maestro Giora Feidman and the jazz trumpet great, Tom Harrell (as a member of his quintet, 1999-2001). He has recorded and/or played with Tom Harrell, D.D. Jackson, Steve Wilson, Kevin Hays, Brad Mehldau, Chris Potter, bassist Avishai Cohen, Rosanna Vitro, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Sheila Jordan, Randy Brecker, David Sanchez, Joshua Redman, Wynton Marsalis, Max Roach, Lonnie Smith and many others. He is also on the first call list of many singers and Brazilian musicians because of his sensitive accompanying and his knowledge of Brazilian guitar and has toured with pianist/singer Eliane Elias. 

Over the years he has toured in 50 countries and has had the opportunity of collaborating with musicians from a wide variety of backgrounds including the Indian sitarist, Shubhendra Rao, the Kenyan singers, Achien’g Abura, Suzanna Owiyo, the Taarab master oud player Zein L’abdinand traditional groups in Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. In 2006 he performed in Cuba as a solo artist and spent a week of musical exchange with Cuban musicians including the trumpet player, “El Greco” formerly of Irakere. He has toured as a cultural ambassador for The U.S. Department of State four times and performed at the Kennedy Center with the Billy Taylor Trio appearing on National Public Radio Show, “Live at the Kennedy Center.” 

This international experience has energized and inspired his music as is evident in the exciting CD with his Kaleidoscope group from 2012, Entitled Live Grooves… Epic Tales it features a powerful front line of Donny McCaslin (tenor) and Yosvany Terry (alto) with a grooving rhythm section of Patrice Blanchard (electric bass) and Willard Dyson (drums). It also features guest appearances by master saxophonist, Steve Wilson and Spanish pianist, Juan Galiardo. The music is a kaleidoscope of rhythms and influences including soulful Gospel, driving Indian/Middle Eastern, sensual Bolero and funky New Orleans rhythms in addition to Brazilian and Afro-Cuban rhythms. 

His previous CDs as a leader include: Brazilian Rosewood, Boogaloo Brasileiro, Live at Smoke (Fresh Sound Records) and Take Your Dance into Battle (Jazz City Spirit). He has two recent self-titled CDs with collaborative groups: Trio del Sol with Misha Piatogorsky and Gilad and Dharma Jazz with Lewis Porter, Badal Roy and Karttikeya. 

Education has always been a large part of his musical life. He has taught all ages from young children to university students and has lectured about jazz to audiences around the world. In 2004 he was chosen to be a Copeland Fellow at Amherst. He received his BA from Amherst College ’87 and Master’s degree in classical guitar from the Yale School of Music. He currently is on the faculty at the Berklee College of Music and the Prins Claus Conservatory in Groningen, Holland. He was previously a professor in the Africana Studies and Music departments at Williams College.

“Guitarist Freddie Bryant is a rhythmic and melodic sponge. Put him in any musical situation, be it classical, jazz, funk, Senegalese, etc., and he’ll tend to become one with the music.”

Jason Koransky,
www.downbeatjazz.com