With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, local lovers might want to set the mood with Brazilian guitarist Paulinho Garcia’s performance Thursday, Feb. 12, at Ravisloe Country Club of his “Beautiful Love” set.
Garcia brings an understated bossa nova sensibility and jazz-steeped harmonic ear to a diverse collection of American Songbook treasures on the sublime “Beautiful Love,” according to a news release on his website.
Garcia is a regular presence on the international concert circuit. He has a gift for inhabiting songs as if speaking directly from his soul, with an emotional intimacy that flows directly from his burnished baritone, according to the news release.
Garcia is a master improviser whose orchestral guitar work and unadorned delivery puts a personal stamp on classic material while honoring timeless melodies.
“I always try to be very truthful to the composer,” Garcia said. “I change the harmony to fit my way of playing, but I never change the melody. And if the composer took the time to write a beautiful verse, we should do it too.”
The “Beautiful Love” album was released last year around Valentine’s Day.
Judith Schlesinger, the album’s co-producer, said she was drawn to Garcia by the understated mastery of his music and the healing quality that emanates from his intimate and soothing sound, which she feels offers “an antidote to the darkness, frantic pulse, and noise out there.”
“I do my own harmonies on the original melody, and with my phrasing and feeling on guitar it becomes Brazilian,” Garcia says. “As I like to say when I introduce a tune, here’s a great song by the Brazilian composer named Gershwin. These American standards are so beautiful. When you have great melodies you can do whatever you want.”
Tickets are $20 purchased online in advance or $25 at the door.
The show begins at 7:30 p.m. The Bunker Grill is open prior to the show.
The True Muse jazz concert series is sponsored by True Muse Productions, Chicago Jazz Magazine and Ravisloe Country Club.
More information:
Paulinho Garcia’s website
True Muse concert series tickets
Chicago Jazz Magazine
Ravisloe Country Club