BrasilNutz is devoted to presenting Brazilian popular music in an authentic manner and popularizing musical forms well known in Brazil but rarely performed outside of Brazil. Besides the "samba" and "bossa-nova" BrasilNutz performs "baiao" and "frevo" from northeast Brazil and "chorinhos" from Rio. Since members of the group are deeply rooted in American jazz traditions and grounded in classical training they bring a distinct sensibility to Brazilian music with strong improvisational skills and interpretation. As a sextet Brasileirada is most versatile and strongly percussion-based as is typical of all Latin music.
However, smaller ensembles can be assembled to accommodate any presenter's budget. Duos of guitar and flute, guitar and percussion, trios of guitar, percussion and bass, guitar, percussion and flute, quartets or quintets are all possible.
Instrumentation consists of classical guitar, string or electric bass, flute–sax, drum set and various hand percussion instruments such as the "pandeiro", "cuica", "tamborim", "quinto conga", "guiro", "shakere", and others. BrasilNutz performs formal and informal concerts, receptions, banquets and parties along with a variety of educational lecture-demos.
Tony Hauser is well known to audiences for his classical, flamenco and Latin-American guitar performances. He has championed the music of Brazil for over a decade. After extensive study with Spanish and Latin American guitar masters including Andres Segovia, Jesus Silva, Abel Carlevaro and flamenco master Niño Ricardo, Tony Hauser has concertized for over twenty-five years throughout North America. He also composes music for modern dance and founded the Minnesota Guitar Society. Tony Hauser has toured with legendary guitarist Charlie Byrd. Chuck Armstrong is a noted local jazz musician and leads his own hard-bop jazz quartet in which he doubles on alto sax and flute. He is strongly rooted in the classical approach, having studied both classical flute and sax. Chuck Armstrong excels in playing the whole history of Brazilian music from classical to jazz-samba. Paul Cotton is a well-known veteran of the Twin Cities jazz scene having backed up numerous national names such as Charlie Byrd and Manfredo Fest. His knowledge of Brazilian music spans more than thirty years of experience and travel in Brazil. He can also double on electric bass. Ricardo Martins, percussionist, is a native of Rio de Janeiro and has performed frequently in the Carnival and throughout Brazil. He has worked with jazz pianists and Brazilian music groups on the West Coast and with various midwest bands. He specializes as a "hand percussionist" performing on a myriad of instruments. Dick Studer performs regularly with saxophonist Joe Smith in the AM-AM Trio (Angry Middle Age Men) and excels in experimental jazz. He worked with Brazilian pianist Manfredo Fest for years and is a founding member of the MN Jazz Association. Dick also doubles on guitar and has received Special Recognition from the MN Jazz Music Awards as Avante-Garde bass. Bruce Wintervold has broad experience playing trap-set, hand percussion, marimba and vibes in jazz groups and for years has worked with the Latin music group, Salsa Blanca. He is one of the area's best accompanists of modern dance and frequently composes music for the Nancy Hauser Dance Company.
Residency Activities:
* Lecture Demonstrations
* Popular Culture of Brazil through Music
* Tony Hauser is available for Guitar Master Classes
For press kits, videos, further information & bookings, contact Hauser Artists
612-870-9529, mscotthauser@aol.com.