News

London Vocal Project

LVP Pizza Express residency continues

Andrew Woolf
London Vocal Project will be continuing our Pizza Express Jazz Club residency on March 29th, lunchtime. The shows we did there last December sold out well in advance, so don’t delay to book for this one. We’ll be repeating some of the James Taylor Songbook which we introduced last time round, alongside more arrangements of music by the likes of Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon and more.
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“I can’t see how it would be possible for anyone present [Miles Ahead, Kings Place, December 2018] not to have been affected emotionally in some way, maybe even profoundly, and also regularly spellbound by the level of achievement on show in the hall.” London Jazz News
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Alvorada, Brazil, choro

Songlines nomination and Dorset photos

Andrew Woolf

Alvorada had a great time in Dorset, playing to some packed venues around the county and meeting lots of new listeners, most of whom were hearing choro for the first time.

While we were away we also were delighted to discover that we’ve been nominated for Best Group in the Songlines Music Awards 2020. You can vote for us here:
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www.songlines.co.uk/awards/2020
(closes midnight on Friday 31st January)

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Alvorada, Brazil, choro

Alvorada Dorset mini-tour and Harrison show

Andrew Woolf

Alvorada’s first shows of 2020 are just around the corner.

We play three dates in Dorset on January 23rd – 25th, as part of the Artsreach Rural Touring programme.  We’ll be performing at venues in Wootton Fitzpaine, Portesham and Chetnole. Info and booking here: artsreach.co.uk/event/alvorada

Then on February 1st we’re back in London at one of our favourite venues, The Harrison. Book tickets here: www.wegottickets.com/event/493042

harrison portrait flyer 01.02.20

London Vocal Project

LVP Christmas show

Andrew Woolf

My last gig of the year was one to remember, with London Vocal Project at Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho. We performed a mixture of our re-worked Christmas classics, many which are staples of our repertoire for this time of year, alongside some brand new material, which is the basis for our newest project – the James Taylor Songbook. Some brilliant arrangements by director Pete Churchill as well as other members of the choir.

We’d been working towards this show for a few months (actually two shows – we did an early and a late show on the same night, to two sold out crowds), and it was great to get this music out there. I’ve been part of LVP since it began eleven years ago, and this night ranks among the most memorable I’ve enjoyed with this special community.

The good news is we’ll have an ongoing residency at Pizza Express in 2020, so look out for more dates!

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A few years ago, we filmed some of our Christmas repertoire. Here’s our version of ‘In The Bleak Midwinter’. You can find more Christmas videos on LVP’s Youtube channel.

Brazil, choro, Gabriela Kozyra

Gabriela Kozyra shows

Andrew Woolf

Here are some photos from a couple of recent gigs with singer Gabi Kozyra. We were performing music again from her amazing album, Noites Brasileiras, which focuses on previously unpublished and unrecorded Brazilian songs.

We played in a trio with Walter Lopes at the Sands Film Studios (a unique and tucked away little gem of a place in Rotherhithe), and then travelled to Poland to play at the Raciborski Cultural Centre, with Walter, Andres Ticino and Sam Watts. Also enjoyed some excellent Polish food and drink while we were over there!

Alvorada, Brazil, choro

Alvorada at London Jazz Festival

Andrew Woolf

Alvorada’s performance in the London Jazz Festival was a great evening. We played to a sold out crowd at the Elgar Room in the Royal Albert Hall, playing music from ‘First Light’ alongside new material that we’ve been working on this year. We also had the special pleasure of inviting the amazing pianist, John Turville, to join us for a few tunes. He brought something very different to the music, and it was a delight to have him with us.

Photos: Captured by Liz
© Liza Heinrichs

Alvorada, Brazil, choro, Gabriela Kozyra, Showstopper

Last gigs of the decade

Andrew Woolf

Just a few more gigs left this year before we enter the ’20s!

This Saturday, November 16th, Alvorada play at the Elgar Room in the Royal Albert Hall, as part of the London Jazz Festival. A couple of days after, on November 18th, I’ll be playing in Showstopper: The Improvised Musical at the Lyric Theatre.

At the end of the month I have two gigs with Gabriela Kozyra, playing repertoire from her sumptuous album ‘Noites Brasileiras’. First on November 27th alongside Walter Lopes at Sands Films Studio, and then we travel to Poland to play at Raciborskie Cultural Centre on November 30th, also with Sam Watts and Andres Ticino.

Last up, on December 14th, I’ll be with London Vocal Project at Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho. We’ll be performing a mixture of our unique arrangements of Christmas songs, alongside tunes from a new project – the James Taylor Songbook.

See the gigs page for links to more info.

Alvorada, Brazil, choro

Alvorada awards, broadcasts and shows

Andrew Woolf

Alvorada were delighted to be announced as winners of both the Latin UK Awards (Brazilian Act of the Year) and the Focus Brasil Awards (Best Musical Group). We had a fun time recently attending the LUKAS award ceremony to collect our prize.

We’re unable to attend the FOCUS Brasil ceremony this year, because we’re already playing that night! Our upcoming gig in the London Jazz Festival has just sold out. We’ve also played some great gigs to new audiences recently in Cambridge, Ipswich and Brighton, and are looking forward to travelling more around the UK.

If you haven’t had a chance to catch any of our live gigs, you can listen back to some recent radio broadcasts – we appeared on In Tune on BBC Radio 3 with Katie Derham and on A World In London with DJ Ritu on SOAS Radio.

Brazil, Gabriela Kozyra

Gabriela Kozyra album presentation

Andrew Woolf

A gig I’m really looking forward to this week – I’ll have the pleasure of playing with Gabriela Kozyra as she presents music from her album, Noites Brasileiras, for the first time in London. Gabi is a fantastic singer and interpreter of Brazilian songs. She made this recording last year in Rio de Janeiro, with a concept of recording only inéditas (unpublished songs), old and new. The album features enchanting compositions, exquisite arrangements and great playing by some of the finest musicians in Rio – many of whom I know personally, including Rui Alvim, João Camerero, Anna Paes, Pedro Paes, Bidu Campeche, and others.

For the show this Wednesday 28th August at 606 Club, Gabi will perform the music from the album alongside other beautiful and lesser known songs, in a formation with myself, Joseph Costi piano and Andres Ticino on percussion. (I’m also really happy I get to play with these two brilliant musicians as well!)

Tickets and info here:
https://www.606club.co.uk/events/view/gabriela-kozyra/

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