Saturday, May 26th at 8:00pm

Discoveries at Disney with Mônica Salmaso

Mônica Salmaso has surfaced as one of the best young voices in Brazil. At Disney Hall, she gives a dazzling performance of sensual, rhythmically-inflected Brazilian popular songs, including a Beatles favorite and an "Ave Maria" with a Brazilian twist!         "Discoveries at Disney Hall" is an eclectic mix of concert specials recorded live at Disney Hall in Los Angeles. From singer-songwriters to classical, world music and Broadway stars, it's a celebration of the diversity of our thriving musical culture. In addition to the dynamic live performances, these programs feature the artists introducing their music from stage and weaves in brief interview clips. Hosted by Renee Montagne.

Born in São Paulo in 1971, Mônica Salmaso has surfaced as one of the best young voices among the new talents of Brasil. She started her musical career singing in a "comedy" directed by the award winning Gabriel Villela.  Besides her music studies in São Paulo, Mônica has recorded and performed with important Brazilian artists like Edu Lobo, Eduardo Gudin, José Miguel Wisnik, Marlui Miranda, Guinga, Nelson Ayres and the Jazz Symphonic Orchestra of São Paulo.  She was one of the soloists on the album CANÇÕES DE NINAR by Paulo Tatit and Sandra Peres. The CD won Brasil's "Prêmio Sharp - 95" as Best Recording for Children.

In 1995 she recorded AFRO SAMBAS, a voice and guitar album, arranged and produced by Brazilian guitarist Paulo Bellinati. The CD premiered the complete Afro-Sambas by Baden Powell and Vinícius de Moraes, including the famous Berimbau and Consolação; released in US and Europe by GSP (Guitar Solo Publication) Records.  In the same year, recorded with Paulo Bellinati the song "A Felicidade" by Tom Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes for one Brazilian Jobim's song book by Lumiar Records.  In 1997, she was nominated for Prêmio Sharp - 97 as Best New Singer on Brazilian Popular Music with the Cd AFRO SAMBAS.

In 1998 she recorded her first solo Cd TRAMPOLIM - Pau Brasil Music (in Brazil) and Bluejackel Records (in USA) produced by Rodolfo Stroeter. The cd features some of the most creative musicians in Brazilian contemporary music such as Nana Vasconcelos, Teco Cardoso, Paulo Bellinati, among others.  In May of 1999, Monica Salmaso won the Visa-Mastercard-Eldorado Prize for best singer in Brazil among 1.200 contestants, all over the country. The prize has earned attention over Monica's talent and career, and during august/september 99 she recorded for Eldorado records, her third album. VOADEIRA is also produced by Rodolfo Stroeter. The album has been qualified by the press, as one of the best releases of 99 in Brazilian Popular Music. "Voadeira" features Marcos Suzano, Benjamim Taubkin, Naylor "Proveta", Toninho Ferragutti and Paulo Bellinati, among others.  Also in 1999 Mônica was awarded as the “best singer” from Brazil. The prize was conceded by APCA – (Associação Paulista dos Críticos de Arte), and it is particularly important as it is given by a poll of the most important Brazilian press community.

Since 1998, Monica also sings with the Orquestra Popular de Câmara - a 12 piece band - that blends the Brazilian musical heritage along with the personal contribution of each one of the renowned soloist of the group. In 2004, she has released her fourth cd IAIÁ by the label Biscoito Fino (in Brazil), released in USA and Europe by Harmonia Mundi.  Took an important part as a singer in the movie “Vinicius” about the life and work of Vinicius de Morais, directed by Miguel Faria Jr.  Took part in the most recent cd recorded by Chico Buarque, "Carioca", singing the song “Imagina” composed by Chico Buarque and Tom Jobim.  Is rehearsing to record her 5th cd that is to be launched in April 2007.