On April 16th, music enthusiasts can expect a cross-cultural collaboration of exquisite proportions as three world-class musicians unite on the Flushing Town Hall stage for the Brazil Meets China concert. This world music performance is part of the monthly Mini-Global Mashup concert series, curated by the renowned klezmer trumpeter, Frank London.
Rogério Boccato, a Brazilian percussionist, and educator, will grace the stage alongside pianist, accordionist, composer, and arranger, Vitor Gonçalves, also from Brazil. The two are set to share the spotlight with Chinese guzheng artist, Wei Sun.
Boccato’s contributions to the projects of top jazz artists like Maria Schneider, John Patitucci, and Kurt Elling are widely recognized, as are his collaborations with popular Brazilian artists such as Toninho Horta, Zé Renato, and Vinicius Cantuária. His work has been featured on three Grammy-award-winning albums, making him a heavyweight in the world of jazz percussion.
Beyond his impressive discography, Boccato has played with some of the most exceptional musical talents, including Antonio Carlos Jobim, Hermeto Pascoal, Milton Nascimento, Egberto Gismonti, and Joe Zawinul. He is also a respected teacher, serving on the faculty at the Manhattan School of Music, NYU, and The Hartt School, where he shares his expertise in Brazilian Music and Ritmica.
Gonçalves, a Rio de Janeiro native, has built an impressive reputation as a musician in Brazil, performing alongside some of the country’s most significant music icons, such as Hermeto Pascoal and Maria Bethânia. After relocating to New York City in 2012, he continued to thrive musically, earning recognition for his piano and accordion performances across renowned stages like Lincoln Center and The Jazz Standard. He has collaborated with jazz greats like Anat Cohen, Vinícius Cantuária, and Anthony Wilson, as well as performed as a guest with the Spok Frevo Orquestra in a special show at The New York Times.
Wei Sun, a young Chinese guzheng artist, was born into a family of musicians and started her musical journey at the age of six. As a certified senior teacher of guzheng and a member of the China National Instrumental Association and the International Guzheng Association, she has earned recognition both in her home country and beyond. Since arriving in the United States in 2016, Wei has performed at numerous esteemed venues such as the Lincoln Center, United Nations, and Columbia University. She is now the principal performer of guzheng of the Chinese National Orchestra in New York and is a co-founder of two trio bands, StringsW and Miss. The former held a concert at Carnegie Hall in October 2017, featuring a fusion of Western and Chinese instruments.
“Brazil meets China – WOW!” says Ellen Kodadek, Flushing Town Hall Executive & Artistic Director. “Our mini Global Mashups are unique every time – they bring together artists from different parts of the globe who have never played together before, with an intimate experience for the audience.”
For more information: visit: www.flushingtownhall.org/brazil-meets-china
(718) 463-7700 x222
137-35 Northern Blvd. Flushing, NY 11354
For those unable to attend events in person, Flushing Town Hall has launched Culture Stream.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.