This week, Ira spoke with Latin GRAMMY® Award winner, Brazilian guitarist, composer, and arranger Sérgio Assad and GRAMMY®-nominated composer Clarice Assad, performing (along with Third Coast Percussion) at the UNLV Performing Arts Center December 13. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” the Assads talk about their family’s deep history with music; Sergio’s surprising view of jazz; how performing as a father and daughter on stage reflects their closeness as family members; their performance, “Archetypes,” a work inspired by timeless character types that appear in stories, legends, and myths throughout the world; and why connection is what they want the audience to take away from their performance.
Incredible musicianship runs in the Assad family, as Sérgio Assad’s musical career is impressive in its own right. The Brazilian-born guitarist has been spreading music around the world with his brother Odair in their group, The Assad Brothers, for more than 50 years. Sérgio composes music for the brothers and many other artists. The Assads have made several recordings on Nonesuch and GHA including “Sérgio and Odair Assad Play Piazzolla” and “Jardim Abandonado,” which both received Latin GRAMMY® Awards. The Guitar Foundation of America awarded them its Lifetime Achievement award in 2015 in honor of their 50 years performing as a duo.
Clarice Assad is a prolific GRAMMY®-nominated composer with over 70 stylistically diverse works to her credit. Her artistic voice rings through the world of classical, world music, pop, and jazz genres. Always experimenting and pushing herself as an artist, she aspires to inspire and encourage the imaginations of her audience. Ms. Assad has released seven solo albums and appeared on or had her works performed on another 30. Her passion for music extends beyond composition and performance, having founded VOXploration, an award-winning music education program known for its creativity and accessibility.
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