Sambagurus

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Kátia Moraes - Lead Vocals, Lyricist

Kátia Moraes is an energetic Brazilian singer/songwriter/dancer from Rio de Janeiro who has been living in Los Angeles since 1990. In 1984 Kátia was invited to join O Espirito da Coisa, a Rio pop-rock band. She toured Brazil with the band for three years, appearing on Brazilian TV and singing ´Slightly Pregnant´, which became a hit song throughout Brazil. Since then she has sang/record and/or performed with Oscar Castro-Neves, Sérgio Mendes, Airto Moreira, Elba Ramalho, Rita Lee, Praful, Marc Antoine, George Duke, Slovenian composer Rok Golob, Sandy and Junior, Banda Cheiro de Amor, and also with Latin Grammy nominee, Alex Acuña's and Justo Almario's "Tolú," and Grammy nominee "Latin Project," among others. Kátia came to Los Angeles in 1990 where she was inspired by the new environment and musicianship. Poetry, prose and movement have been Kátia's companions since she was 13. Songwriting came later when she put together " Ten Feet and the Sun ", her first American CD, with her band Brazil Nuts.

Bill Brendle- Keyboards, Composer, Accordion, Cavaquinho

Bill Brendle is from Santa Barbara, CA, where his musical life began under the guidance of his father, a professor of music at UCSB. He grew up playing jazz and classical music, and later became fascinated by world music, especially the music from Brazil. He has worked with some of Brazil´s best known recording artists including Maria Bethânia, Rita Lee, Ginga, and Hermeto Paschoal. He was the Musical Director for Sergio Mendes from 1994-2007. He is one of the co-founders of Sambaguru, and is the composer of much of their music. He is currently living in Los Angeles, where he works as a composer for film and television. His credits include the documentary film "Saigon USA" for PBS, and "Woman On Top" starring Penelope Cruz.

Kevin Ricard- Percussion of all sizes

Kevin Ricard, an intensely talented percussionist whose family's roots lie in the Louisiana bayou country, has toured and appeared on recordings with scores of musical luminaries Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Kenny Loggins, Stevie Wonder, Bette Midler, Paula Abdul, Sérgio Mendes, The Temptations, Diane Reeves, Lionel Richie, and Steve Winwood among others. Ricard's ability to fragment the beat and increase rhythmic pressure is especially gripping, potent. Interacting with the other Sambaguru musicians, he infuses each performance with a special vibrancy conjuring up the effect of power wedded to relaxation.

Tony Shogren- Drums and Percussion

Drummer and percussionist Tony Shogren is the springboard both rhythmically and emotionally for Sambaguru. A native of California, Tony Shogren began studying drums when he was five years old and played his first professional gig at 12. When he was 15, he moved from Fresno,California to South America where he began compiling rhythms distinctive to the various regions, an avocation that he continues to pursue. He has toured and performed at music festivals throughout the U.S. In addition to his film scoring and session work in Los Angeles, he occassionally tours with Sergio Mendes. His drumming reflects the knowledge he gained from his studies of afro/colonial music of the Americas. As he cocurrently studies to achieve his masters degree in film composition, Shogren also wears another hat as recording engineer for Katia Moraes & Sambaguru.

Hussain Jiffry- Bass

Since arriving in California from his native land of Sri Lanka (via Europe), Hussain Jiffry has become one of the most sought-after bassist Los Angeles. His in-the-pocket feel and versatility has kept his phone ringing in the past fourteen years. Born and raised in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Hussain grew up surrounded by the richly varied traditional music of his country, but also listened constantly to pop, jazz, & r&b that was played over the radio. He started singing in school choirs at 10, took up piano accordion at age 12 and at 17 started playing electric bass. In 1982 while performing with a local band in Sri Lanka, Hussain was offered to tour Europe with an r&b band, eventually spending six years on the European club circuit. In 1988 he moved to Los Angeles to study music at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood California. He graduated from MI in March 1989, receiving the school‚s highest award, the Vocational Honors Diploma. In the past fourteen years Hussain has gradually grown busier and more in demand as his reputation has spread as a player, writer, arranger, producer and music educator. He teaches at the Los Angeles Music Academy and also is currently touring with Sergio Mendes, LA All Stars, and "Yanni".

Grecco Buratto - Guitars, Cavaquinho, Composer

Born and raised in Brasil, Grecco Buratto started his studies at the age of 8. At 17, Grecco won a statewide contest for best instrumental solo piece. At 19 Grecco relocated to Los Angeles to attend Musicians Institute where he received The Outstanding Human Relations Award for the class of '95. He has recorded with Pink, Boyz II Men, Macy Gray, Marc Anthony, Earth Wind and Fire and George Duke among others. He has performed and toured with k.d. lang, Enrique Iglesias, Anastacia, Sergio Mendes , Airto Moreira and Flora Purim. His film and television credits include First Daughter, RV , Miami Vice, Woman On Top , Brothers and Sisters and Everwood.

Mitchell Long- Guitars, Cavaquinho

Mitchell Long is a guitarist, singer, percussionist, bandleader, composer and arranger with over 25 years experience in Jazz, blues, popular and authentic Brazilian styles. He sings in English, Portuguese and Crioulo. This diverse interest in music and his long relationship with the musicians of Sambaguru makes him right at home with this unique and versatile group. Mitchell also continues to work as a popular recording artist and performer in many styles of music. A short list of appearances include working with Julia Fordham, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Maria De Barros, Billy Tolles, Herbie Mann, Waldemar Bastos, Claudio Roditi, Vinx, Jurassic 5, Rique Pantoja and Sergio Mendes. He has performed regularly at famed festivals like the Montreux Jazz, North Sea Jazz, Pori Jazz, Baia das Gatas festival in Cape Verde and at well-known venues like the House Of Blues, SESC Pompeia in Sao Paulo, Summerstage in New York’s Central Park, El Zocalo in Mexico City, Jazz Alley in Seattle and Stern Grove in San Francisco among others. His constantly evolving professional career of over 25 years has taken him to most of Europe, Canada, South America, Caribbean and Africa and throughout the United States. Mitchell has also lived and worked in the music scenes of San Diego, Los Angeles, Colorado, NYC and Madrid Spain. Since 2003, he has made his home once again in Los Angeles, California.

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Bill Hussain Mitchell Tony Kátia Kevin Grecco