Luiz Simas was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is a composer, singer and pianist, and he has performed and recorded with several well known Brazilian artists, such as Raul Seixas, Roberto Carlos, Elza Soares, Marilia Pera, Lobão, Ritchie, Oswaldo Montenegro, Amelinha, Sergio Dias and many others. Many of his songs have been recorded in Brazil, and he also composed several soundtracks for tv. Luiz was also the first musician in Rio to use a synthesizer, and he composed and recorded sound effects for several tv and radio networks, including the trademark sound for Brazil's principal network (TV Globo). He was also an original member of the groups Agora 4 (bossa-nova) in the late 60's, Modulo 1000 and Vimana in the 70's (the latter including Lulu Santos, Ritchie, and Lobão).
Living in New York since 1989, he has performed as a solo singer/pianist, as well as with his own group in many different places such as the Brooklyn Conservatory, the Greenwich House Music School, Rutgers University, SOB's, the Village Gate, The Spanish Institute, Cafe Wha?, The Ballroom, Hotel Plaza Athenée, the Consulate of the Republic of Poland, the Roger Williams University in Rhode Island, the Mirage Hotel (Las Vegas), the Rocky Mountain Ragtime Festival in Boulder, Colorado, and also in Jamaica, the British Virgin Islands and Trinidad in the West Indies.
He was also the music director for Brazilian legendary singer Elza Soares when she performed at the Village Gate, and 1993 singer Ana Caram recorded his song "Maybe" in her CD for Chesky Records. He has recently been performing with singer Natalie Carter, among others.
Luiz's show was video-taped as part of a Village Gate series for Japanese tv. It was shown as a special program at Osaka tv.
Luiz's style is influenced by classical music, by jazz and bossa nova, and by Brazilian popular, traditional and modern music. His repertoire includes his "chorinhos" and his other new compositions, with his own beautiful melodies and exquisite harmonies (his trademark), and his presentations are always very vibrant and extremely well received by the audiences.
RECIPE FOR RHYTHM
Luiz's CD "Recipe for Rhythm", with his original songs written in partnership with lyricist Ellen Schwartz, is in a Brazilian jazz/fusion style that mixes beautiful melodies with incredible Brazilian rhythms and great lyrics. Luiz sings and plays piano and keyboards, and the band features outstanding musicians such as Romero Lubambo, Sérgio Brandão, Ricky Sebastian and many others.
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WHAT THE CRITICS HAVE BEEN SAYING ABOUT LUIZ SIMAS
"When I heard Recipe For Rhythm for the first time, I could not believe my ears. ... a musical extravaganza. Luiz Simas has definitely found the recipe for a string of hits with this release. As with a line in Recipe For Rhythm, this CD has got the "rhythm to feed the soul". Luiz Simas shows how versatile he can be. More importantly, he proves what a consummate artist he is with Recipe For Rhythm". Egidio Leitão, Luna Kafe
"This album is a gem. If you like lush, exotic Brazilian rhythms to dance to, contemplate to, or just to dream or work to, this is just the thing. Recommended." The Critical Review
Visit Luiz Simas's website at
Luiz Simas can be contacted at music@luizsimas.com
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