Music for the soul, chamber style

Chamber Music San Juans’ 25th anniversary season takes a soulful turn, as two internationally acclaimed musicians navigate between contemporary classical works and bossa nova masters, Saturday, Sept. 15, at San Juan Community Theatre.

"For the Soul" brings together bassoon virtuoso Martin Kuuskmann and master pianist, composer and arranger Jovino Santos Neto. The two will present music from Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, as well as from bossa nova masters Antonio Carlos Jobim, Hermeto Pascoal and Santos Neto, himself.

“There will also be a fair amount of improvisation,” said Kuuskmann. “This will be for the souls of everyone between 10 and 110 years old.”

Born in Estonia, Kuuskmann has performed worldwide, earning a reputation as one of the leading instrumentalists around. The New York Times has praised Kuuskmann’s playing as “dynamic...amazing...gripping.” In 2007, he received a Grammy nomination for his recording of Chesky’s bassoon concerto.

Santos Neto is a three-time Latin Grammy nominee who was recently inducted into the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Neto, now a Seattle resident, leads an award-winning Brazilian jazz group, Quinteto, and teaches piano and composition at Cornish College of the Arts. Learn about each musician at www.martinkuuskmann.com and www.jovisan.net

The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets; $26 adults, $13 student reserved, $5 RUSH. Info, 378-3210, www.sjctheatre.org.

 

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