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| Belinda Underwood returns to Steamers Belinda Underwood With Sandro Rebel-piano, Paulo Gustavo-bass, Sandro Feliciano-drums to perform May 24th, 2006 at Steamers Cafe, Fulllerton, California. 2005 was an exciting year for Belinda. She received radio play at over 130 stations across the US and Canada, and gave live radio interviews and/or live performances in each city she toured (San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Minneapolis, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Eugene, Carmel, Berkeley.) She hired top local jazz musicians in each city and performed in most cases without a rehearsal. When asked why she doesn't tour with the jazz stars that make up her Portland groups, she said, "I learn more when I play with different musicians in every city...and it's fun." The crowds have been astonished by the musical maturity from such a young woman, as have been the reviewers at LA Times, Jazz Improv Magazine, Jazz Review Magazine, LA Jazz Scene magazine, etc. Belinda attributes her abilities to fourteen years of playing jazz on the upright bass and to the fact that both of her parents are jazz musicians. She also believes that Portland has fostered her musical growth. "Some of the best jazz musicians I've ever heard are here in Portland. They all go to the jam sessions, they all know each other and refer gigs to each other. That's why I moved here, I wanted to be part of a real jazz community." In August, Belinda was featured on the Mt. Hood Jazz Festival Stage at the Bite of Oregon, as an opening act for Bobby Hutcherson. This January, Belinda was showcased on OPB's "Oregon Art Beat" TV show, as one of the up and coming stars of the Pacific Northwest. In February, Belinda performed at Steamers Jazz Cafe in LA with a hot Brazilian trio comprised of some of Airto Moreira's guys (Airto Moreira also happens to play on Belinda's latest release, Underwood Uncurling, along with David Friesen, Dan Balmer, and members of the band Pink Martini.) The rest of 2006 promises to be even more successful. She already has another show booked at Steamers in May, as part of her West Coast tour, which also includes Jazz at Pearl's in San Francisco. Belinda has recently been invited to Toronto by Universal Music, to promote a Mother's Day compilation that contains two of her songs. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |