By Chesney Hearst, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Award-winning British musician Samuel J Tellam (Samuel J) will bring his special blend of smooth laid-back sounds to the Barra da Tijuca beach during the Billabong Rio Pro 2013 on Sunday, May 12th, as he performs the first of two shows that are scheduled to accompany the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Men’s World Championship Tour (WCT) surfing event.
Samuel J’s latest album Colourful Vibration is currently playing on radio stations in Brazil, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the UK. He has built up a strong following in Brazil where he has spent most of the last five years.
“I am stoked to announce I have been invited to perform during the World Surf Championships in Rio De Janeiro,” Tellam posted on his Facebook page.
“I will be performing two acoustic shows on the beach, in the heart of the event. The sunset shows will be performed live to the public at (4PM) on Sunday 12th and Saturday 18th and will feat Chris Haicai on percussion. Great energy surrounding the event so tune in or hope to see you there !!”
Heart is something that seems to fuel all of Tellam’s work. At times reminiscent of Ben Harper and Jack Johnson with touches of reggae, Tellam manages to construct a sound that in the end is entirely his own.
His acoustic performances should be a perfect complement to the surfing event which has taken over the city since it began last week.
American music legend Jimmy Buffett, who is also a part of the ASP, has been in town for the event and made a surprise appearance at the recent Rio DJ Mixup event presented by The Rio Times at Leblon’s Mekong Bar.
Also on Saturday, May 11th, the women’s Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro 2013 finished with ASP Australian surfer Tyler Wright defeating last year’s defending Rio women’s event champion Sally Fitzgibbons.
Weather permitting, on Sunday, May 12th, the ASP WCT men will continue their competition with Round 2 of the Billabong Rio Pro 2013 as Tellam plays on the beach at 4PM.
See the website for updated conditions, heat schedules, the complete lists of competitors and live webcasts of the event.
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