Moacir Santos 100 – “Coisas” That Inspire

To mark the 100th anniversary of Moacir Santos’s birth, the Família Pádua invites singer Liz Rosa to a special evening dedicated to the richness, sophistication, and universal power of Brazilian music.

With his unique blend of Brazilian popular music and jazz, Moacir Santos shaped generations of prominent musicians. His students and musical collaborators included, among others, Baden Powell, Paulo Moura, João Donato, Sérgio Mendes, Roberto Menescal, Carlos Lyra, and Eumir Deodato. His influence extended far beyond this generation, and his album “Coisas” became a seminal work for musicians such as Hermeto Pascoal, Egberto Gismonti, and many others.

For 18 years, the Família Pádua has been shaping its musical path through the encounter between tradition and the present. The ensemble consists of Antônio de Pádua, Roberta Karin, and João Vítor. Since 2019, the family has been living and working in Vienna, bringing the diversity of Brazilian rhythms to European stages—from choro and samba to MPB and jazz. Improvisation, musical interaction, and creative ensemble playing are always central to their music.

Liz Rosa, born in Natal and musically at home in Brazil, the U.S., and Europe, brings her many years of experience in jazz and Brazilian music to this special performance. Her musical collaborators and influences include such greats as João Bosco, João Donato, and Roberto Menescal.

On the stage of Porgy & Bess, these musical paths converge to celebrate the legacy of Moacir Santos—a master who knew how to transform elements deeply rooted in the Brazilian musical tradition into a universal musical language. (Press release)