Luciana Souza, jazz & bossa nova singer

Grammy winner Luciana Souza is one of Jazz’s leading singers and interpreters. Hailing from S�Paulo, Brazil, she grew up in a family of Bossa Nova innovators. Her work as a performer transcends traditional boundaries around musical styles, offering solid roots in jazz, sophisticated lineage in world music, and an enlightened approach to classical repertoire and new music.

As a leader, Luciana Souza has seven acclaimed releases including her three Grammy nominated records "Brazilian Duos," 2002, "North and South," 2003, and "Duos II," 2005. Her debut recording for Universal/Verve, "The New Bossa Nova, " (2007) was met with critical acclaim (Bilboard Latin Jazz Album of the Year) and offers an exquisite and personal interpretation on songs by Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, and Steely Dan, and a sublime duet with James Taylor. The record was produced by Ms. Souza’s husband, Larry Klein.

Ms. Souza has performed and recorded with greats like Herbie Hancock (on his Grammy winning record, River – The Joni Letters), Paul Simon, Maria Schneider, Danilo Perez, John Patitucci, Hermeto Pascoal, and many others. Her complete discography contains more than 50 records as a side singer. Luciana Souza’s singing has been called "transcendental, "perfect, " and of "unparalleled beauty. " Entertainment Weekly said, "Her voice traces a landscape of emotion that knows no boundaries. "

Luciana Souza has been a prominent soloist in two important works by composer Osvaldo Golijov – La Pasion According to St. Mark, and Oceana. She has performed with the Bach Akademie Stuttgart, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Brooklyn Philharmonic. Other orchestral appearances include de Falla's "El Amor Brujo" with the New York Philharmonic, the Atlanta Symphony, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Her work in chamber music includes a fruitful collaboration with the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet.

Ms. Souza began her recording career at age three with a radio commercial, and recorded more than 200 jingles and soundtracks, becoming a first-call studio veteran at age 16. She spent four years on faculty at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she received a Bachelor's in Jazz Composition. Ms. Souza earned a Master's degree in Jazz Studies from New England Conservatory of Music and taught for four years at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music, in New York City. In 2005, Luciana was awarded Female Jazz Singer of the Year, by the Jazz Journalists Association.
Please visit www.lucianasouza.com