Katia Moraes

The unique Brazilian singer and lyricist Kátia Moraes began her career in Rio de Janeiro in the 80's with her energetic band "O Espirito da Coisa" . Since then she has performed and/or recorded with top Brazilian acts like Sergio Mendes, Airto Moreira, Oscar Castro-Neves, Rita Lee, Sandy and Junior, Banda Cheiro de Amor, and also with George Duke, Latin Grammy nominee Alex Acuña and Justo Almario's Tolú, Grammy nominee "Latin Project", and Chill artist Praful, saxaphonist from Netherlands. After moving to Los Angeles in 1990, she started lending her voice to films and television for dubbing and "Voice-overs" while performing with The Rio Thing, Midnight Drums, 22-piece Orchestra Feijoada Completa, Sol & Mar, Viver Brasil Dance Company, Folk Ballet of Brasil, Badaue, Man and Machine, and many more.

In 1996, she released her first CD "TEN FEET AND THE SUN" in the U.S. with Brasil Nuts band. In 1999 she released "GINGA" with Sambaguru, and in 2003 "LIVE" by Kufala Records. Her 4th CD with Sambaguru is called "NAVEGAR AO SOL" by Moondo Records. In 2009 Sambaguru released "Tribo" that is on the Nominating Ballot for the GRAMMY 2009. In 1998, Kátia started putting out a monthly newsletter, Brazilian Heart, to challenge her as a writer and "communicator". Brazilian Heart explores issues of culture, art and music following her personal whims and passions. She also writes for Soul Brasil magazine and Brazil Today newspaper.

Kátia is currently performing with the Sambaguru band and with Pure Samba band. Pure Samba won the L.A. Treasure Award, granted in part, by the California Traditional Music Society, a facility of the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Dept. and The California Traditional Music Society. In 2008 Kátia was nominated for Destaque Singer in the U.S. by International Brazilian Press Award.In 2007 Kátia Moraes and Bill Brendle won 3rd place in the World Music category at the International Songwriting Competition with their composition "Tribo Gandhista." In 2005 Kátia was nominated in the Best Latin Artist category by the New Times Newspaper Music Awards. Sambaguru featuring Kátia Moraes was selected to be on The California Arts Council Touring Roster 2002-2003. In 1998 they had their composition "Não Vá" chosen as a finalist in the World Music category of the John Lennon's Songwriting Contest.

Sambaguru featuring Kátia Moraes is featured on the musical score for the film "Woman on Top", a Fox Searchlight Picture released in September 2000. In 2001 and 2002 the group was nominated in the best World Music category for the New Times Newspaper Music Awards.

Kátia Moraes has performed at the Sydney Festival, Playboy Jazz Festival, Hollywood Bowl, House of Blues, Ford Amphitheater, Getty Center, California Plaza, Playboy Jazz Summer Fest, Verizon Music Festival, Cerritos Center, Schoenberg Hall, UCLA, Jazz Bakery, Queen Mary, Hollywood Palladium, JVC Jazz Fest, Luna Park, Sweet Pea Festival in Montana, The World Famous Baked Potato, Santa Monica Festival, The French Quarter Festival in New Orleans, Riverside Jazz Festival, African Market Place, Grass Valley World Music Festival, IAJE - Jazz Educators Convention, among other events and venues in the U.S. and abroad.