SpokFrevo Orquestra to Perform at Byham Theater, 10/28

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announces Brazilian big band SpokFrevo Orquestra will perform on Tuesday, October 28, 2014, at 7:30 p.m., at the Byham Theater. This high energy 18-piece Brazilian big band is enthralling audiences worldwide with the swinging, rhythmically infectious sounds of "frevo," a music genre born from the joyful carnival culture of Brazil. SpokFrevo Orquestra pushes musical boundaries, threading Brazilian traditions through compelling jazz improvisation.

This event is presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust as part of the Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series. Ticket prices are $20-$45 and available at www.TrustArts.org, by calling 412-456-6666, or in person at Theater Square Box Office, 655 Penn Avenue.

Formed in 2003, SpokFrevo Orquestra is led by saxophonist, arranger and musical director Inaldo Cavalcante de Albuquerque, aka Maestro Spok. The performers bring a real big band sound to their music- playing saxophone, trumpet, trombone, rhythm sections, bass and guitar. "Frevo is a unique rhythm, different from all others, cheerful and with a special magic: the one to transmit happiness," says Maestro Spok. All About Jazz commented that "Spok is a truly superb saxophonist. Leading with his shoulders, bopping and popping like a marionette, dressed in dapper suit and fedora hat, he cut a dashing figure."

SpokFrevo's international career grew in 2008 while on European tour through Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands and Switzerland. When in France, the Orquestra was invited to perform at the closing ceremony of Fête de la Musique (World Music Day) held at Palais de l'Élysée, the official residence of the President of the French Republic. Performing in Europe expanded SpokFrevo's audience with their sound of frevo and its unique musical language as well as introduced this genre into the jazz and world music scenes.

SpokFrevo Orquestra received acknowledgment by O Globo as one of the ten best bands of the year in Rio de Janeiro during the 2005 TIM Festival. In 2009, SpokFrevo was awarded the Prêmio da Música Brasileira, best instrumental music category, for their Passo de Anjo-Live CD. The Jornal do Brasil wrote SpokFrevo is "a big band that has synthesized frevo and jazz in a blazing way."

"Someone once described the SpokFrevo Orquestra being as if Duke Ellington fell into the carnival at Recife. That definitely sums up the mix of carnavalesque abandonment with the beautiful arrangements of their MD, Inaldo Cavalcante de Albuquerque, aka Spok. However, as tight, as smooth, as sophisticated, as undeniably accomplished as this young band is, the description in no way prepares you for the shockwaves of acoustic energy that roll over you and sweep you away on a tidal wave of joy." ? WorldMusic.co.uk

For more information, visit www.SpokFrevo.com.br.

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