March 1, 2007
Brazilian guitarist next up at Meany Hall
The UW World Music & Theatre Series presents Badi Assad at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 3, in Meany Hall.
The music of Badi Assad (pronounced BAH-jee ah-SAHJE) transcends the traditional styles of her native Brazil, thanks to its exotic mixture of ethnic sounds from around the world. As a result, the singer, guitarist, and percussionist has successfully forged a genre of music that defies categorization.
Assad was born in the small city of Sao Joao da Boa Vista, Sao Paulo. Her early years were spent in Rio de Janeiro, where the family moved to support and develop the budding talent of her brothers, Sergio and Odair, the famous classical guitarists of Duo Assad. She attributes the success of her brothers’ music career to the strength of her family and the determination of her parents, Jorge and Angelina. As Badi puts it, “My father put his whole life aside to give my brothers a chance, and everybody in the little town where we lived said ‘Are you crazy to give your life away for two little kids just to play guitar?'”
When her older brothers left home to begin their international careers, Badi became the designated heir apparent as a foil for her father’s own mandolin playing. She picked up on the guitar quickly and her father, who had seen this talent before, soon had her studying music at the University of Rio de Janeiro. In 1984 she won the Concurso Jovens Instrumentistas for Young Musicians and was well on her way to developing her own creative direction.
Reviews of her concerts and albums call Badi Assad “a new voice for the guitar,” and express admiration for her innovation and unusual technique. According to the Los Angeles Times, “Badi Assad redefines solo [guitar] performance! Revelatory, a brilliant display of innovation, imagination, and skill…almost hypnotically compelling!”
Ticket holders are invited to come early to learn more about Badi Assad and her music at a free, pre-show lecture. UW World Series pre-show lectures begin 45 minutes prior to curtain and take place in the Meany Hall west lobby.
Tickets for the concert are $30. They are available at the Arts Ticket Office, 206-543-4880, or online at www.uwworldseries.org.
