Brisbane-based quintet, The View from Madeleine’s Couch will open the USQ Twilight Series on 8 February with their sultry Brazilian sounds.
Influenced by the rich musical traditions of Brazil, the ensemble is famous for its contemporary world sound which transports the listener to a sublime hideaway of palm trees and sea breezes.
Founded by Anje West and Kym Ambrose in 1998, TVFMC has been performing and composing Brazilian and Brazilian-influenced music for almost 14 years.
‘Kym and I first met in 1994; he'd been playing the occasional bossa nova in instrumental jazz groups for years and I instantly fell in love with the style,’ said vocalist, Anje West.
‘The band was a bit of a mish-mash of styles to start - Brazilian, Cuban, jazz standards - but after a few years, we decided to focus solely on Brazilian music.
‘The connection we felt to it was very strong, far stronger than to anything else we were playing at the time.’
Over many years of study and performance, the band has become well known as one of Australia's best Brazilian music groups appearing regularly at the Woodford Folk Festival, Manly Jazz Festival, Brisbane Jazz Club and the Bellingen Global Carnival.
The group also has a strong fan-base around the world and a standing invitation to return to Rio's top jazz club, TribOz, to perform whenever they are in Brazil.
Anje sings predominantly in Portuguese, and Kym's arrangements make beautiful use of the vibraphone, percussion, bass, guitar and drums.
‘There is something inherently sensual and beautiful and earthy about Brazilian music.
‘When I first heard it, I literally was stopped in my tracks; I listened for a couple of hours to this music and knew, without any doubts, that this was my future as a performer.
‘The melodies are glorious to sing and harmonically and rhythmically this music is as challenging to any musician or singer as anything in the jazz realm.
‘Kym and I feel so lucky to have discovered something that musically and spiritually enriches us so much.
Though none of the ensemble members have ancestral ties to Brazil, the country is its sultry sounds are strong in their hearts.
‘I always say that if there is such a thing, I'm a re-born Brazilian!
‘Kym and I first travelled to Brazil in 2004, staying for almost three months in Rio de Janeiro to study music under the great pianist/arranger Alberto Farah and writing our first songs together in his home, in the embrace of his family, who came to be very important to us.
Now, with two critically acclaimed albums, and a Queensland Music Award for best world music song behind them, they are heading into 2012 with the aim of composing songs for their next record, and another tour to Brazil to collaborate with Brazilian musicians and make a short film of their experiences.
The View for Madeleine’s Couch will appear at the Twilight Ensemble Recital on Wednesday 8 February at 6pm in the USQ Arts Theatre.
Tickets are $18.50 for adults, $15.50 concession, $13.50 student, $8.50 child and can be purchased through the USQ Artsworx Box Office on 07 4631 1111.
Contact Details:
Michelle Fox, USQ Artsworx, +61 7 46 31 1114
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