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Geri Allen
Pianist, Singer, Composer, Arranger, Leader
Tania Maria was born in Sao Luis in the north of Brazil, in the heart of a family who practiced music amaturishly but with a real fever. In fact, the little girl quickly becomes sensitive to Brazilian tempo and rhythm. Beginning the piano at the age of 7, she finds herself six years later as the leader of a band who wins first prize in a local contest. Music has become Tania Maria’s muse. She tries, in vain, to distance herself from music, but ends up by giving in to this insistent calling and decided to dedicate her life to music.
At first, she began performing in bars and nightclubs. She travels the world, beginning in Paris, where she records various albums which gets her noticed on an international level, and she signs on with Concord Records. This is a very good collaboration since "Piquant", the first album recorded under this label, earns her the ‘Golden Feather Award’ presented by Leonard Feather, a famous jazz critic. At this point, her success has a achieved a level where she no longer needs to prove herself. She spreads her exceptional talent as a pianist and unique singer to the 4 corners of the world. She participates in the most prestigious jazz festivals where she receives each time the most beautiful of all awards : the publics admiration. In 1985 she is nominated for the "Best Jazz Vocalist of the Year" at the Grammy Awards.
Tania Maria is a traveling spirit. Traveling past the frontiers, she accomplishes the union of the two Americas; one of the southern warm rhythms, of samba and chorinho and one of the northern tonic accents of nostalgic jazz and blues. Sounds in which she doesn’t content herself by simply playing them, but instead she uses their similarities and their differences to create a mutual sound that pleases the ear. Music in which she holds dear the message of memories; of people as well as individuals, of men, women and children. Memories made of cries of freedom, pride defended, and cultures preserved, but also hopes and the reclaiming of dignity. Most importantly she has purified these rhythms, taken away unnecessary elements to bring forth the essence, the urgent and the vital.