For Immediate Release

Press contact:   Patricia Leao (818) 567-0641, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , www.BrazilianNites.com, events hot-line (818) 566-1111, fax (818) 567-6377

 “Brazilian superstar Djavan…a rare opportunity to experience the
rich catalog of a major Brazilian artist.” -- Don Heckman, Los Angeles Times  LOS ANGELES— Brazilian musician Djavan (Dee-jah-van) shares his three-decade musical journey as he performs selections from his most current release and 18^th record, Matizes (Shades of Color), in commemoration of the 32^nd anniversary of his career. Djavan, recognized by jazz musicians worldwide as one of Brazil's leading singer/songwriters, has traversed Brazilian borders and reached the world market with his blend of pop and jazz.  His radically personal and intimate style is reflected in his band which includes two of Djavan’s sons (guitarist Max and  drummer João Viana,) both playing with their father for a decade now. The concert starts at 8:30 p.m. and instrumentation features: bass, piano, saxophone tenor and flute, trumpet, trombone, acoustic and electric guitars.  The universal,, romantic bard Djavan names the folk music of his village in northeastern Brazil among his influences, along with funk, jazz and bossa nova. His complex harmonies, original melodies, strange sonorities (from a romantic ballad to hard twists and turns of a Moorish song, a variety of jazzy horns with a classic rock guitar and full of rhythmic variations) with mysterious and enchanting results. The sophisticated lyrics of personal reflection, composed of poetic images typical of Djavan, are full of chromatic metaphors and inspired by nature. Djavan has been heralded as an ambitious author since the start of his touring career in 1975. BACKGROUND ON DJAVAN:Marked with innovation and romanticism, written and sung with honesty and humility, Djavan’s music focuses on life and love.  Gal Costa, Caetano Veloso, Nana Caymmi, Beth Carvalho and other top Brazilian artists have covered his songs along with Al Jarreau, Carmen McRae, the Manhattan Transfer.  Djavan’s lyrics are simple yet poetic, and his voice is tremendously earthy and subtle.  His work brings together African rhythms, bossa nova, jazz, funk, pop, samba, R&B and northeastern sounds.  The New York Times claims he is “an artist who has fused many of the dominant styles onto a personal music [that is] brilliant and comprehensive.”           Born in Maceio, in Brazil’s northeastern state of Alagoas, Djavan grew up hearing folk music and listening to his mother sing.  He discovered the guitar when he was 16 and began to dedicate himself to it.  Soon he gave up school and his factory job to form a band at the age of 18 called Luz, Som e Dimensão [Light, Sound and Dimension], better known as LSD.  The band played popular successes, in particular Beatles covers at clubs and other similar venues.   Djavan later moved to Rio de Janeiro with his guitar in hand.  He started out recording songs of other artists for television soap operas and singing at popular nightclubs.  Through these experiences he began getting exposure and received his first big break.  In 1975, his composition, “Fato consumado” (Consummated Fact) won second prize at a music festival, and placed him on the trajectory of success. ABOUT HIS NEW RELEASE “MATIZES” :  Thirty two years later, Djavan releases his 18^th album with 12 newly composed tracks ranging from samba heard on “Delírio dos Mortais” to a bolero of “Louça Fina”, going on to blues in “Desandou”. A ballad “Por uma Vida em Paz” that also has a jazzy interpretation where he talks about universal questions: “I don’t know exactly what to say/About the evil on earth:/I think the love hesitated.”, plus traditional beloved classics. “Matizes” blends the tones of a work of deep maturity. The trio of songs “Fera” (Beast), “Pedra” (Rock) and “Adorava me ver como seu” (I Loved to See Me as Yours) reveal the musical synthesis found by Djavan, his personal universe, and how he has developed a musical and personal speech as exemplified in the lyrics of “Pedra” (Rock): “Love, I loose myself in tears/I didn’t see you anymore, since April, I went to the sea/And you laying there on the rock/How I envy that rock.”  Modern sambas of different shades live in “Matizes” complimented by a danceable bolero mixed with Cuban Son “Louça fina” (Fine dishware), and a typical blues “Djavan’s Blues” (as once defined by Caetano Veloso), entitled “Desandou.”  The recording, under his own label Luanda Records, was done in his studio when, in Djavan’s own words, he had the finest interaction with the band in his career.  Djavan brings this same band to his U.S. performances:  Renato Fonseca (keyboards), João Viana (Djavan’s son on drums), Max Viana (Djavan’s son on acoustic and electric guitars, vocals), Sergio Carvalho (bass), plus Marcelo Martins (sax, flute, vocals), Walmir Gil (trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals) and François de Lima (trombone, vocals).  “with a soothing but vulnerable voice, he is willing to split the difference between Brazilian pop and the American pop-funk that has lifted some of its best effects from such Brazilian masters as Milton Nascimento, Jorge Ben, Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso, all Djavan's elders.” -- JON PARELES, N.Y. Times Djavan’s 2008 US Tour is produced by Brazilian Nites Productions with individual presenters in each city. Brazilian Nites Productions headed by Patricia Leao is presenting the Los Angeles show. Tickets for Djavan concert, priced at $85, $65 and $45 for reserved admission,are available at the Ford Amphitheatre box office by calling (323) GO-1 FORD (461-3673) or by logging to www.FordTheatres.org or www.BrazilianNites.com.For further information, call Brazilian Nites Productions at (818) 566-1111.  The Ford Amphitheatre is located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA 90068, just off the 101 Hollywood Freeway across from the Hollywood Bowl and south of Universal Studios.  The grounds open two hours before show time for picnicking. The Ford offers a number of dining options: a variety of food and beverages is available on site and box dinners for evening events may be ordered in advance. Patrons are welcome to bring their own food and drink. The Ford is disabled accessible. Portable wireless listening devices are available upon request.  On-site, stacked parking costs $5 per vehicle for evening shows and $1 per vehicle for morning family shows. For evening shows only, FREE non-stacked parking serviced by a FREE shuttle to the Ford, for evening amphitheatre performances only, is available at the Universal City Metro Station lot at Lankershim Blvd. and Campo de Cahuenga. The shuttle, which cycles every 15-20 minutes, stops in the "kiss and ride" area.  This event is part of the Ford Amphitheatre 2008 Season, a multi-disciplinary arts series produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission in cooperation with Los Angeles County- based arts organizations. For a complete season schedule, directions to the theater and parking information, log on to www.FordTheatres.org.  For photos, video, interviews and more information, Patricia Leao, (818) 567-0641, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , (818) 567-0641 - Events Hotline: (818) 566-1111http://braziliannites.comwww.myspace.com/BrazilianNites###  BIOGRAPHY OF DJAVAN: Djavan is a Brazilian composer, singer, and the owner of a respectable discography. His international success has taken him to the highest-ranking venues worldwide and his songs have been recorded by Al Jarreau, Carmen McRae, the Manhattan Transfer, and, in Brazil by Gal Costa, Paralamas do Sucesso, Ed Motta, Leila Pinheiro, Chico César, Dori Caymmi, Nana Caymmi, Rosa Passos, Lenine, Elba Ramalho, João Bosco, Zélia Duncan, Leny Andrade, Chico Buarque, Daniela Mercury, Ney Matogrosso, Dominguinhos, Jane Duboc, Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia, Beth Carvalho, João Donato, Joyce, Johnny Alf, and other artists.

Djavan had early contact with music through his mother. From the environment, he took the rich northeastern folklore as influences. But he only began to play at 16, when he took the violão as a self-taught instrument. Abandoning his studies, he had to work small jobs. Still in his hometown, he formed the group LSD (Luz, Som, Dimensão), which covered the Beatles' repertory, playing in every venue for pocket money. Moving to Rio in 1973, he became acquainted with Edson Mauro, a fellow statesman who was Rádio Globo's sports speaker, and presented Djavan to Adelzon Alves, who introduced him to Som Livre's producer João Mello. A month later, he was hired by Som Livre as a singer for soap opera soundtracks. In this capacity, he would record the songs "Qual é" (Marcos and Paulo Sérgio Valle) for the soap opera Ossos do Barão, "Presunçosa" (Antônio Carlos and Jocafi) for Super Manuela, "Calmaria e Vendaval" (Toquinho and Vinicius) for Fogo sobre terra, and "Alegre Menina" (Dori Caymmi and Jorge Amado) for Gabriela. He also participated in several hit-parade records, recording other composers' songs. Meanwhile, to fatten his meager budget, he worked as a crooner for four years at Number One and 706 nightclubs, before his breakthrough as a composer. Participating in TV Globo's festival Abertura (1975), he won second place with his song "Abertura." His first single came four months later with the songs "E que Deus Ajude," "Um Dia," "Rei do Mar," and "Fato Consumado." One year after, he recorded his first LP, (A Voz, o Violão e a Arte de Djavan, Som Livre), which had "Fato Consumando," "E que Deus Ajude," "Pára Raio," "Maria Mercedes," "Na Boca do Beco," "Ventos do Norte," "Magia," "Muito Obrigado," "Maçã do Rosto," "Embola Bola," "Quantas Voltas dá o Mundo," and "Flor de Lis," the latter scoring a big hit which endures even today.

A while later, he did a solo show at the 706 nightclub for three months. He recorded a single arranged by João Donato with songs "É hora" and "Romeiros" and left Som Livre for Odeon. He then recorded Djavan (1979), Alumbramento (1980), and Seduzir (1981). In 1982, he signed with CBS, recorded Luz in the U.S. (produced by Ronnie Foster), where he made contacts with Quincy Jones, who acquired the publishing rights of many of his songs through Djavan's own publishing Luanda. Stevie Wonder was a guest star on that album. In 1984, he recorded Lilás with production help from Eric Bulling, whose international sound can be heard on that album. In the same year, he worked in the film Para Viver um Grande Amor (Miguel Faria, Jr.). He also recorded Brazilian Knights and a Lady (1985), Meu Lado (1986), Não é Azul mas é Mar (1987), and Bird of Paradise (1988). In 1989, he did Djavan, accompanied by flamenco guitar player Paco de Lucia on the track "Oceano," included in a major soap opera. He followed with Puzzle of Hearts (1990), Coisa de acender (1991, with a partnership with Caetano Veloso on "Linha do Equador"), and Novena (1994). In 1996, he recorded Malásia, which had Tom Jobim's "Correnteza" included on a prime time soap opera and, in 1998, Bicho Solto -- o 13o. In 1999, he recorded Ao Vivo in two volumes, which sold 1.2 million copies and garnered him his first Diamond Record. He was awarded with three Multishow prizes: Best CD, Best Show, and Best Singer (popular election by vote of the cable channel spectators). He was paid tribute in the series Talento Brasileiro and with three Lumiar Songbooks, having his songs performed by Gal Costa, Paralamas do Sucesso, Ed Motta, Cláudio Zolli, Ângela Ro Ro, Leila Pinheiro, Garganta Profunda, Chico César, Dori Caymmi, Nana Caymmi, Rosa Passos, Rosana, Orlando Morais, Lenine, Paulinho Moska, Elba Ramalho, João Bosco, Zélia Duncan, Cidade Negra, Sandra de Sá, Leny Andrade, Chico Buarque, Daniela Mercury, Ney Matogrosso, Dominguinhos, Jane Duboc, Zé Ricardo, Personagens, Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia, Beth Carvalho, João Donato, Daúde, Joyce, Johnny Alf, Eduardo Dusek, Be Happy, Fátima Guedes, and Clara Sandroni. The following year, Djavan won a Grammy for Best Brazilian Song for "Acelerou" at the first Latin Grammy Awards. -- Alvaro Neder, All Music Guide