Panorama Brasil

Panorama Brasil draws on the diverse musical landscape of Brazil: music from the bars and clubs of Rio, from the streets of Salvador, and from Brazil’s rich folkloric history. Experience the sophistication of bossa nova, MPB, and Brazilian jazz, alongside the earthy sounds of samba, and Brazil’s incredible regional styles.

Based in Melbourne Australia, Panorama Brasil is equally at home in jazz clubs, concert halls and street festivals. Lead by Musical Director Alastair Kerr, the core ensemble is fronted by Brazilian singer Dany Maia and Australian jazz singer Jacqueline Gawler. The group is regularly augmented by a stellar cast of special guests, including Brazilian singer Alda Rezende, guitar virtuoso Doug de Vries and Australian jazz icon Vince Jones.

Over the past decade, Panorama Brasil has performed at major festivals including the Melbourne International Jazz Festival (with Vince Jones), Stonnington Jazz (with Doug de Vries), and Adelaide Cabaret Festival (with Vince Jones and Alda Rezende). They have presented many major concerts dedicated to the works of great Brazilian artists, including: Jobim (Adelaide Cabaret Festival); Baden Powell’s Os Afro Sambas (touring with Alda Rezende); Clube da Esquina (Melbourne Recital Centre); and the ongoing series Brazil’s Modern Poets (music from Brazil’s leading songwriters post-1970).

Panorama Brasil have released three acclaimed albums: The Archer & the Dancer, Flor de Pedra, and Chant/Call: Stories of the Gods. The ensemble has also collaborated with Brazilian choreographer/dancer Fabiana Grimaldi in concerts, and together they are developing a new Afro-Brazilian ballet – Oxossi: The Hunter. Drummer/composer and Musical Director of the ensemble Alastair Kerr is a long-time student of Brazilian music and recognised as one of Australia's leading exponents of Brazilian percussion and drumming. Alastair has performed and recorded with many leading Brazilian musicians, both in Australia and Brazil, including Paulo Aragão, Hermeto Pascoal, Assanhado Quarteto, Anna Setton, and Marvio Ciribelli. Alastair holds a PhD from the University of Melbourne, for which he researched the music of the Afro-Brazilian religion, Candomblé.