Inspired by the poetry of Leonard Cohen, Brazilian-American vocal jazz veteran Luciana Souza will perform her album Book of Longing at The Soraya in Northridge on Friday, January 17 and Saturday, January 18 at 8 p.m. The six-time Grammy-nominated jazz singer and composer, best known for songs from her native Brazil, explores the theme of saudade, or yearning.
NPR music critic Michelle Mercer called Book of Longing Souza’s best work yet, noting, “Longing is in Luciana Souza’s blood. As the child of bossa nova songwriters, she grew up steeped in saudade…”
Souza (pictured, right) credits her collaborators Scott Colley on bass and Chico Pinheiro on guitar: “The musicians also helped me by creating this very transparent place where things can’t be hidden. We are all exposed— sounds and words.” In addition to poems by Cohen, they accompany the writings of Edna St. Vincent Millay, Emily Dickinson, and Souza herself.
Souza’s concert is a part of The Soraya’s Onstage Sessions Jazz Club. Audience members will join Souza and special guest musicians onstage in the intimate setting of The Soraya’s new jazz club, hosted by LA’s own La Marisoul.
The Soraya is located at 18111 Nordhoff Street, on the campus of Cal State Northridge. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Ticket Office at (818) 677-3000. For more information visit www.thesoraya.org/
