DOYLESTOWN, PA-Brazilian guitar, Portuguese poetry, ballads tinged with blues and choro, and a bit of folk with a bossa nova pulse – these musical genres have been artfully combined by the musical duo Minas for 25 years. Composed of husband-wife team Orlando Haddad and Patricia King, Minas will perform at the Michener Art Museum’s October 5 Jazz Night.
Minas’s albums and songs have been voted “Best of Philly” (Philadelphia Magazine), indicated for Grammy Awards, and selected to represent Pennsylvania at State Days at the Kennedy Center by Senator Arlen Specter. “The wonder is that such percussion-based music can be so luxuriously relaxing,” writes David Hiltbrand in the Philadelphia Inquirer. “(The music) is like an aural massage.”
Award-winning singer-songwriter Avi Wisnia and Friends will perform at the Michener’s Jazz Night November 16. Also finding inspiration in Brazilian bossa nova and acoustic American folk, Avi Wisnia and friends incorporate 1950s West Coast jazz and contemporary pop. Wisnia has been described as “Ben Folks meets Norah Jones, if they have a lovechild in Brazil.” Having grown up in Bucks County, Wisnia has toured the country, spreading his lyrics, vocals and piano playing to the tri-state region.
In 2007 Wisnia, who began studying classical piano at age 5, recorded an acoustic EP at the New Jersey synagogue where his father serves as rabbi. Awards include the 2009 OutMusic Award for Outstanding Jazz Song of the Year, CMJ’s Zig Zag Live Competition and Finalist, Rolling Stone’s National Band Search. On his debut album Something New, produced by Grammy winner Glenn Barratt, he pays homage to influences Billy Joel, Joni Mitchell, Chet Baker, John Legend and Jamie Cullum while retaining his own voice.
Jazz Nights are all-inclusive evenings featuring:
8 to 10 pm Hors d’oeuvre reception and galleries open
Hearty appetizers and desserts presented by Havana Catering. Refreshments presented by River Horse Brewing Company and Sand Castle Winery.
8:30 to 11 pm Concert with one intermission
Tickets: All reserved table seating: member $40/non-member $48;
student ticket $20 with paying adult; reception and museum admission are included in ticket price. Advance tickets only. Purchase tickets early as seating is limited.
Sponsored by the Friends of Jazz Night.
The James A. Michener Art Museum is located at 138 South Pine St., Doylestown, Pa. Museum hours: Tuesday through Friday, 10 am to 4:30 pm; Saturday 10 am to 5 pm; Sunday noon to 5 pm. Admission: Members and children under 6, free; adults $15; seniors $13; college student with valid ID $11; ages 6-18 $7.50; under 6 free. Beginning October 28, new hours and admission prices effective through January 26, 2014: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday noon – 5 p.m. and Thursday evening until 8:30 p.m. Members and children under 6, free; adults $18; seniors $17; college student with valid ID $16; ages 6-18 $8. Beginning October 28, new hours and admission prices effective through January 26, 2014: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday noon – 5 p.m. and Thursday evening until 8:30 p.m. Members and children under 6, free; adults $18; seniors $17; college student with valid ID $16; ages 6-18 $8. For more information, visit www.michenerartmuseum.org or call 215-340-9800.
Annual support for the Michener Art Museum is provided by the Bucks County Commissioners and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.