Peter Erskine; photo credit Tama Drums
The Athenaeum’s spring jazz series features return visits by two of our audience’s longtime favorite artists, Brazilian vocalist Luciana Souza and drummer Peter Erskine. Each will present a new band with music from their latest album. Don’t miss these two special spring evenings of jazz!
Friday, April 24, 7:30 PM: Luciana Souza & Marcel Camargo—New Moon (at Scripps Research)
The series begins on Friday, April 24, at the Scripps Research Auditorium with the return of Grammy-winning vocalist Luciana Souza, of whom Billboard magazine wrote, “She continues her captivating journey as a uniquely talented vocalist who organically crosses genre borders. Her music soulfully reflects, wistfully regrets, romantically woos, joyfully celebrates.”
For her newest project, New Moon, she is united with fellow Brazilian guitarist Marcel Camargo and string quartet. Souza has highlighted the expressive power of the guitar in her work for over two decades, most notably through her acclaimed Duos Trilogy—Brazilian Duos, Duos II, and Duos III—all Grammy-nominated recordings. With New Moon, she deepens that journey in an intimate collaboration with guitarist, composer, and fellow São Paulo native Camargo. Both artists share deep musical roots shaped by São Paulo’s vibrant sonic landscape and a lifelong connection to jazz and Brazilian traditions.
In this acoustic project, Souza and Camargo reimagine Brazilian classics and debut new co-written songs, with soulful arrangements by Camargo. New Moon reflects their shared desire to uncover what lies in the shadows, offering a sound world rich in texture, subtlety and emotion. For Souza, the addition of strings realizes a longtime dream. For Camargo, who has collaborated with Bebel Gilberto, Michael Bublé, and Gretchen Parlato, it’s a chance to write with clarity and depth. Together, they blend their Brazilian heritage and creative vision to craft music that stirs the soul and lifts the spirit to the “New Moon.”
The Luciana Souza & Marcel Camargo “New Moon” concert is generously underwritten by Dr. Irwin Jacobs.
Wednesday, May 27, 7:30 PM: Peter Erskine Trio with Alan Pasqua and Scott Colley (at the Athenaeum)
Wednesday, May 27, brings the return of drummer Peter Erskine, with his new stellar trio featuring longtime artistic partner Alan Pasqua on piano and the celebrated bassist Scott Colley. One of the leading drummers in jazz, Erskine appears on 700 albums and film scores and has won two Grammy Awards and an Honorary Doctorate from Berklee School of Music. Fifty albums have been released under his own name or as co-leader. He has played with Stan Kenton’s and Maynard Ferguson’s big bands, Weather Report, Steps Ahead, Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Diana Krall, Kenny Wheeler, Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Brecker Brothers, The Yellowjackets, Pat Metheny and Gary Burton, and John Scofield, among others. He has appeared as a soloist with the London, Los Angeles, Chicago, Oslo, and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestras, the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
The formidable Alan Pasqua has played and recorded with jazz legends that include Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette, Paul Motian, Dave Holland, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Joe Henderson, Stanley Clarke, Gary Burton, James Moody, Gary Peacock, Gary Bartz, Reggie Workman, The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, Sheila Jordan, and Joe Williams, as well as rock and pop artists such as Bob Dylan, Santana, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, and Queen Latifa.
Rounding out this new trio, Scott Colley has been called “one of the leading bassists of our postbop era, and a composer-bandleader of quietly serious resolve” by The New York Times, while musical colleagues, like saxophonist Joshua Redman, praise him for being “one of the most musical bassists playing today.”
The concerts will be in person at Scripps Research Auditorium (April 24 concert: 10620 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, CA 92121) and the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library (May 27 concert: 1008 Wall Street, La Jolla, CA 92037). There are no physical tickets for these events. Your name will be on an attendee list at the front door. Doors open at 7 p.m. Seating is first-come; first-served. Priority seating will be given to Donor level members and above.
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