By Chesney Hearst, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The well-known Rio de Janeiro jazz club, The Maze in Tavares Bastos will continue to celebrate the tenth anniversary of its monthly live jazz sessions with a new edition on Friday, June 3rd. Taking place on the first Friday of every month, the live sessions are known to feature romantic jazz from the 1920s through the 1960s, improvisations, and open jam sessions with professional and amateur musicians from around the world.
Performers during the upcoming edition will include vocalist Indiana Nomma, flugelhornist José Arimatea, saxophonist Denize Rodrigues, pianist Vanessa Rodrigues, drummer Andre Fróes, trumpeter Tom Ashe, double bassit Aureo Luis, and guitarist Marcelo Pfeil.
In addition to great live music, attendees of the party can expect breathtaking views of Rio de Janiero. Located in the Tavares Bastos favela community, The Maze sits perched above the city with panoramic views of Pão de Acúçar and the Guanabara Bay.
The venue itself is as unique as the views. Constructed by British artist Bob Nadkarni, The Maze features curving concrete walls, asymmetric arches, outdoor walls and open spaces, architecture inspired by the landscape of the city.
Built by Nadkarni in 1981 as a private residence, The Maze would go on to become an art gallery, hostel, and home of the monthly live jazz sessions in additional to other shows and events.
“I used to be in a jazz band in England and it’s one of the only things I miss so I decided to bring it here,” Nadkarni told The Rio Times in a 2010 interview. “Twelve people came to the first night. Now we’ve just celebrated our fourth birthday and get crowds of five hundred people every month.”
Nadkarni later added; “There are only twelve notes in western music and it’s amazing what you can do with them. Jazz is about friends meeting and it’s about playing in a sense. A game or a conversation between the musicians that crosses all cultural barriers.”
The June edition of the jam session is scheduled to begin at 10PM.
What: Live Jazz at The Maze
When: Friday, June 3rd, 10PM – 3AM
Where: The Maze Rio, Rua Tavares Bastos, 414/66 – Catete
Entrance: See venue for more information.