Tomorrow once again I embark for Brazil. First stop: São Paulo, near Campinas, home of the Ukkambikula Cultural Center (pictured here). Eight years ago my friend, guitarist Gustavo Scaranelo, set up a show for me there and created an elegant poster billing me as the “Cantora Americana do Jazz e Bossa Nova”. Needless to say, I was thrilled! On the day prior to the show we arrived at the rehearsal studio, where I was introduced to my future band-mates. Weak and disoriented and still recovering from a nasty bout of food poisoning from the previous night, I could barely mumble, “Muita prazer, onde está o banheiro?” (Pleased to meet you, where’s the bathroom). However, I began to feel infinitely better when I heard those incredible musicians playing bossas and sambas and jazz. What an honor to sing with them! Thankfully the concert went very well (I even did some tap dance trades with the drummer), and that was the beginning of an exhilarating run of gigs, a couple of recording sessions, and many deep bonds of friendship with a steady stream of wonderful Brazilians that continue to pass through my life. See you in a few weeks! 
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Jazz Singer