Biography
site: http://www.myspace.com/adrianamiki
http://www.adrianamiki.com
EPK (Electronic Press Kit): www.sonicbids.com/adrianamiki
Originally from Sao Paolo, now living in Lisbon, Portugal, singer Adriana Miki, at a very young age, found herself irresistibly drawn to music. “Music has been part of my soul since before I could walk, “Adriana recalls. ”As a child playing under the stairs it would be all around me, adding tone and color to my world, making my heart beat faster. Time passed and I grew up. During my whole life I had music as part of every moment, in my happiness, my fears, my passions, my solitude. And I sang. But it was always just for me.”
If singing came naturally to Adriana, performing did not. “I think deep down I had a fear of the powerful emotion that singing stirred in me,” she continues. “It would take hold of me and give me the strength to overcome any sadness. And so I continued like this for a long time, singing for myself. I crossed oceans and eventually couldn’t run any longer from that which I truly desired, couldn’t deny any longer that which I truly am. And so I decided to express myself, singing all that is inside of me.”
All those feelings and moods that first moved Adriana to sing – the happiness, the fears, the passions, the solitude – are evident on this, her debut recording. Her voice is a charming and evocative sound-palette of warm tones and pastel colors. This is a bold and revealing venture, rooted in the traditions of Brazilian jazz, the samba, and the bossa nova, informed by elements of World Music, forward looking, and intensely personal.
Each track on this disc is a miniature journey to an unknown land, a place yet unseen and unexplored, but warm and welcoming. From the appealing cameo, Cai em Mim, co-written by Adriana and bassist Sérgio Crestana, to the French chanson-turned-bossa nova, Que reste-t-il (perhaps better known by its English title, “I Wish You Love”), the listener is carried away, and returns refreshed and renewed. Along the way tribute is paid to the great Milton Nascimento with his jazz samba, Vera Cruz, and another of Brazil’s legendary music makers, Moacir Santos, by way of his collaboration with the American songwriting team of Livingston and Evans, Maracatú, Nação do Amor (a Portuguese adaptation of their song. “April Child”).
Tradition infuses the folk-like Nascente, where Adriana’s voice is supported by the accordion of Carlos “Bisnaga” Lopes. Vento Norte, co-composed by Sérgio, Adriana, and pianist Paulo Barros, is laced with echoes of Carnaval. Of course, there are bossa novas, dreamy – Vigia by saxophonist-flutist Manuel Lourenço – and bright – Cheirinho, by Paulo Barros, who also solos sublimely on Rojo y Blanco. And pianist Ernesto Leite accompanies Adriana on his lovely ballad, Hoje (foi o tempo).
Even on first hearing Sashimiki proves itself a profound and moving document. You cannot help feeling that Adriana is one artist who sings from the heart and bares her soul. And you won’t be able top resist going back time and again for more of her pure emotion, deep insight, and glorious music.
– Bob Bernotas, New York, February, 2008
Bob Bernotas is a jazz journalist, historian, and lecturer, and the host of the weekly radio program, Just Jazz, (wnti.org)
Artist descriptions on Last.fm are editable by everyone. Feel free to contribute!
All user-contributed text on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.
