Role

:

Composer Performer

Birth

:

1978 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

 

Clarice Assad is a Brazilian-American composer, pianist, and vocalist who has made a significant impact on the world of classical music. Born on February 28, 1978, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Assad was born into a family of musicians. Her father, Sergio Assad, is a renowned classical guitarist, and her mother, Angela Tardin, is a pianist and music educator. Assad's uncle, Odair Assad, is also a classical guitarist, and her aunt, Badi Assad, is a singer and guitarist. Assad began her musical education at a young age, studying piano and voice with her mother. She also learned to play the guitar and percussion instruments. Assad's family moved to the United States when she was 16 years old, and she continued her musical studies at the Roosevelt University in Chicago, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance. Assad's early compositions were heavily influenced by Brazilian music, particularly the rhythms and melodies of choro and samba. She also drew inspiration from jazz, classical music, and the music of other cultures. Assad's compositions often feature complex rhythms, intricate harmonies, and a wide range of instruments, including strings, percussion, and woodwinds. One of Assad's early works, "Danças Nativas," was commissioned by the Chicago Sinfonietta and premiered in 1994. The piece features a fusion of Brazilian and classical music, with elements of choro, samba, and classical music. Assad's use of percussion instruments, including the berimbau and pandeiro, adds a unique flavor to the piece. Assad's compositions have been performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world, including the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo. In 2009, Assad was commissioned by the Boston Symphony Orchestra to compose a piece for the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra. The resulting work, "Nhanderú," is a tribute to the indigenous people of Brazil and features a mix of Brazilian and classical music. Assad has also collaborated with a number of musicians and artists from different genres. In 2011, she worked with the jazz pianist Kenny Werner on the album "Invisible Colors," which features a mix of jazz and classical music. Assad has also worked with the singer-songwriter Yo-Yo Ma on several projects, including the Silk Road Ensemble and the album "Songs of Joy and Peace." In addition to her work as a composer, Assad is also an accomplished pianist and vocalist. She has performed as a soloist and with ensembles around the world, including the Assad Brothers Guitar Duo and the Trio Brasileiro. Assad's vocal performances often feature her own compositions, as well as traditional Brazilian songs and jazz standards. Assad's compositions have received numerous awards and accolades. In 2013, she was awarded the Latin Grammy for Best Classical Contemporary Composition for her piece "Clube da Esquina No. 1." The piece is a tribute to the Brazilian musicians Milton Nascimento and Lô Borges, who were part of the Clube da Esquina musical collective in the 1970s. Assad's other notable works include "Suite for Lower Strings," which was commissioned by the Philadelphia Orchestra and premiered in 2011. The piece features a mix of Brazilian and classical music, with elements of choro, samba, and classical music. Assad's use of the cavaquinho, a small Brazilian guitar, adds a unique flavor to the piece.

More....