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Vocalist
Maggie Green’s self-titled album of Brazilian music conveys a longing
for the endless beaches and samba rhythms of
Rio de Janeiro.
With her soft yet rhythmic interpretations
of bossa nova and samba, sung in masterful Portuguese, the brilliant
waters seem but a heartbeat away.
This may sound like a
stretch for a girl who grew up in Michigan’s
Upper Peninsula, but for Maggie, it was just a natural
progression.
During her
early years, Maggie sat at the piano and studied the complex harmonies
and melodies of Bach, Mozart and Beethoven.
However, while pursuing a degree in
classical piano at Michigan
State
University,
her ear began to wander toward jazz music, especially the haunting
vocals of Billie Holiday and Chet Baker.
This proved to be a significant point, for
she not only moved from classical music to jazz, but she also strayed
from the piano and focused on her voice.
Maggie enrolled at the Berklee College of
Music in
Boston, MA.
While at
Berklee, Maggie honed her jazz skills and began to delve into Brazilian
music.
Studying with vocalist Mili
Bermejo, she became fascinated with the syncopated rhythms of Brazil.
After graduating from Berklee in 2000,
Maggie moved to Columbus, Ohio and
began establishing herself as a vocal artist.
Following a string of
performances in the region including the Columbus Arts Festival, the
Columbus Jazz and Rib Fest, the Columbus Latino Festival as well as many
night club dates, Maggie began to make appearances outside of
Ohio, performing at festivals and clubs from
Massachusetts
to California.
Continually
inspired by Brazilian rhythms, Maggie made her first trip to Rio de Janeiro during the summer of 2005.
She immediately struck up a musical
friendship with pianist Marcos Ariel.
The two collaborated on
a show, “Rio--New York Connection” featuring NYC
saxophonist Joel Frahm, Brazilian drummer Jurim Moreira and bassist
Andre Neiva.
They played two
sold-out shows in front of enthusiastic Rio
crowds -- a highlight of Maggie’s career.
Two years
later, she returned to Rio and recorded
an album of Brazilian music featuring renowned artists Luiz Avellar,
Kiko Freitas, Marcos Ariel, Jurim Moreira and others.
This recording stands as a testament to her
immersion in bossa nova and samba music.
During the
fall of 2007, Maggie teamed up with Brazilian guitarist Nelson Faria,
drummer Kiko Freitas and American bassist Scott Gold for a series of
concerts in the US.
The group received rave
reviews and standing ovations for their performances in spots like
Cleveland’s Nighttown and the Jazz Factory in
Louisville,
KY.
The group gave clinics
and concerts at several Ohio
universities, exposing the students to South American music.
As an educator, Maggie has served
on the jazz faculty at
Capital
University.
She has also presented
vocal workshops at various schools and universities throughout the
United States, including the Antonio Adolfo School
of Music in
Hollywood, Florida.
Maggie holds a degree in Professional Music
from Berklee College of Music.
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