Neusa Sauer Quintet, Tribute to Breno Sauer
Studio 5, Evanston, Il, US, June 29th, 2018
by Maja Rios
Brazilian vocalist, Neusa Sauer, has been a vocalist I’ve followed since I first heard her with her late husband/ pianist, Breno Sauer in the early 1980 ’s.I have always liked her singing and her band. Since her husband/pianist’s recent passing, she continues the great legacy of Brazilian jazz in Chicago. Originally from Porto Alegre, Brazil, Neusa, and Breno emigrated to the U.S.A. in early 1970’s. They are responsible for creating a lasting Brazilian music presence in Chicago.
On this gig, Neusa, had two other native Brazilian musicians, Luis Ewerling, drums, and guitarist,/singer, Luciano Antonio in the band. Also, two American musicians, Steve Million, piano and Geoffrey Lowe, electric bass, completed the quintet. Neusa started the set with a beautiful sad ballad, with Luciano Antonio on guitar, “Por Toda Minha Vida”. Roughly translated to “I Will Love You Forever”, my favorite song of their two-hour show. Neusa even cried at the end of the song, remembering her late husband.
Next, the whole band did familiar Jobim classics, “Desafinado” and “Chega de Saudade” which were very upbeat. Neusa’s delivery reminded me a lot of late Brazilian vocalist and icon, Elis Regina. It’s clear Neusa utilizes a lot of her “licks” when singing; scooping and slurring of notes at the end of phrases and similar intonation.
Another favorite Brazilian Jobim song was next. “O Morro Nao Tem Vez”, which got a modernized treatment by Neusa, done at a slower samba tempo than the original, with different phrasing, as well.
Next Neusa did some songs I was not familiar with, but then, she did two iconic classics by Jobim, “Girl From Ipanema and “One Note Samba”. All songs were sung in her native Portuguese, with the exception of Gershwin classic, “It’s Wonderful” done with a samba beat. Nice!
A brief question and answer session followed, after a break between sets, by host Steve Rashid(owner and engineer) along with dance instructor wife, Bea Rashid, gave the audience a chance to hear Neusa’s history of performing, from Brazil to final home in Chicago.
The beautiful Studio 5, in Evanston, was a great setting for music; a dance studio that converts on weekends to a performance space, along with free parking in mall lot! A nice evening with one of my favorite styles of music! Brazilian jazz, the best mixture of African rhythms and European melodies!
