Bossa nova is a youthful celebration of romance and beach culture popularized by greats like Antônio Carlos Jobim, João and Astrud Gilberto, Sérgio Mendes and Stan Getz. Originating in 1950's Brazil, the samba-style base of Brazilian music and rhythms mixed with American jazz and a new style of Portuguese lyrics. Kenia's ability to translate these complex rhythms of her native Brazilian homeland into her own unique creations is renowned. Her beautiful, sultry voice - accompanied by the guitar of Eric Suseoff, bass of Tony DePaolis and drums of Tom Wendt - will transport the audience to the sun-kissed beaches of Rio de Janeiro.

"Singing, swaying, Kenia is Brazil, scatting, lively, absolutely irresistible," Spirit to Spirit: a Portrait of Jazz in the New Century, Manchester Craftsman's Guild.

Hailing from Rio de Janeiro, vocalist Kenia has become one of the foremost exponents of Brazilian song in the United States. From her debut on the great trumpet player Claudio Roditi’s, “Red on Red,” to her upcoming 2020 Mooka Records release, she has epitomized the breezy elegance, refinement and groove of the best of modern Brazilian music. In 2008, Kenia won the Brazilian Press Award for Best CD of the Year, and was nominated for a Grammy for her release, "Simply Kenia." Along with eight critically acclaimed solo releases (and counting), Kenia has performed at national and international festivals from the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival to the Bonaire Heineken Jazz Festival in the ABC Islands.

Kenia & Her Trio