“I see a promising, shining future for this young talented singer!” Quincy Jones at the Montreux Jazz Festival 2010

Maria João Mendes, the 2009 winner of the prestigious Dutch Jazz contest "NL Jazz Vocalisten Concours" and the prizewinner of the well-known “Shure Montreux Jazz Voice Competition” is a promise to the Jazz world. Maria João Mendes is a Jazz singer from Portugal living in The Netherlands since 2007. Respected European musicians play with this young lady. Musicains like Rembrandt Frerichs (Edison award nominee) and Jasper van Hulten (Edison award winner) are well known respected musicians in the Dutch Jazz scene and Thibault Dille (Toots Thielemans Jazz award winner) is consider to be one of the most young talented Jazz musicians from Belgium. The unique voice of Maria João makes her being surrounded by awarded and respected musicians from the Benelux area. But the passion for Brazil and Brazilian music took her in 2009 to Rio de Janeiro where she had the opportunity to play with one of the most respected jazz piano player in the Brazilian jazz scene: Hamleto Stamato. The empathy between both was obvious and clear for both of them and for the “carioca” audience. The interest on pursuing contact and opportunities to cross Atlantic Ocean for playing together kept these two strong creative musicians planning a new interesting project, which will be developed through 2011 in order to be out in 2012 a Live CD with the respected Jazz Sinfónica de S.Paulo and some international guests from the American and European Jazz scene. And it is partly some songs of this new show expected for 2012, together with the repertoire that Maria João has been developing with her European band that this beautiful singer will present herself in Brazil with Hamleto Stamato trio and her European guest: Thibault Dille on accordion. The music of Maria João Mendes is an expression of her passion for Jazz and World Music. Songs are sung in Portuguese and in English and some are only with vocalise technique. The role of the accordion player gives an importance and distinctive uniqueness to Maria João singing. The dialogs between the voice and the accordion give an extra colour and intensity to the melodies of the songs. The music of Maria João grooves in joyful and complex rhythms influenced by Brazilian music combined with sophisticated chords and intense moments of improvisation. Pure Jazz!

Maria João performed in the most respected Jazz festivals in Europe: Montreux Jazz festival (Switzerland); North Sea Jazz (The Netherlands), Woma Jazz festival (Italy); and some of the finest theatres in Portugal, Belgium and The Netherlands. Voice – Maria João Mendes Accordion – Thibault Dille Piano – Hamleto Stamato Electric Bass – Ney Conceição Drums – Erivelton Silva

Biography

“Get to know the voice that enchanted Quincy Jones.” Jornal de Notícias, Portugal

“(…) wonderful singer (…) beautiful talent she possesses.” Sheila Jordan, USA “A singer with virtuosity and an excellent timing! Her passion for scatting colours her singing!” Francien van Tuinen, The Netherlands Miss Mendes is the winner of the 2009 edition of the prestigious Dutch Jazz competition “Nederlands Jazz Vocalisten Concours”. Well known Jazz singers like Wouter Hamel, Francien van Tuinen and Carmenn Gomes were prizewinners of previous editions. Besides the award she won participation in the 2010-2011-theatre tour of Jazz Impuls.

Recently, Maria João Mendes was awarded with the 3rd prize on the important "2010 Shure Montreux Jazz Voice Competition", as part of the famous Montreux Jazz Festival. The president of the jury was jazz legend Quincy Jones, who praised the talent and vocal abilities of this young lady. Miss Mendes was selected out of 75 singers from all over the world to be at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. In the history of this important competition she is the first Portuguese being selected and therefore the first Portuguese getting an award. On the International Jazz Vocal Competition “Jazz Voices 2010” Maria João Mendes was awarded with two prizes: the 2nd prize overall and the 1st prize for Improvisation. In 2008, Miss Mendes got the 3rd prize at the “Brussels Young Jazz Singers Competition”. This competition had David Linx and Dani Klein (Vaya con Dios) as members of the juri. In The Netherlands, Maria João Mendes was awarded with the “Your World Publieksprijs” of the competition “Prix du Port”. This is a competition initiated by the Port of Rotterdam. Still in The Netherlands she was nominated for the ERASMUS Jazz Prijs in Rotterdam, as well being awarded with the prestigious HSP Scholarship Nuffic Netherlands given by the Dutch government to outstanding international students living in he Netherlands. Maria João Mendes (Portugal, 1985) graduated in Jazz singing at ESMAE Music School in Porto. From 2007 untill 2009, Maria João completed her Master degree in Jazz and Brazilian Voice Studies at CODARTS Rotterdam Conservatory. During 2009 she combined her Master studies at the Rotterdam Conservatory with her studies at the Royal Conservatory in Brussels, where she studied with David Linx.

Older experiences and projects, some in Portugal, others abroad: - Maria João at the age of 20, was invited to join the famous Jazz Portuguese Group TRUPE VOCAL with whom she performed concerts and Jazz Festivals in Portugal and abroad; - In 2007 Maria João was invited by Zé Eduardo, the famous Portuguese double bass player, to join the Portuguese tour of EMJO – European Movement Jazz Orchestra, a project lead and created by the European Union involving young and talented Jazz musicians from Portugal, Germany and Slovenia. - In June 2008 Maria João Mendes was invited for Woma Jazz Festival in Italy, the only jazz festival in Europe that hosts female music groups. She studied with: - Fay Claassen, during her bachelor degree in Portugal and as well during her Master in The Netherlands - David Linx, during her Master in Brussels, Belgium - Connie de Jong and Josee Koning, during her Master in The Netherlands - Luciana Souza, 25 Seminari Internacional de Jazz, Spain - Jay Clayton and Sheila Jordan, New York - Rhiannon, Joey Blake and David Worm, ”Vocale improvisatie door 3 topzangers uit het vocale ensemble Voicestra van Bobby McFerrin”, in Rotterdam, The Netherlands - Leny Andrade, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Maria Pia de Vito, Italy and Dominique Eade (USA), Kristina Fuchs (BE), Sanna Van Vleigt (NL).

She also did workshops with Diederik Wissels (pianist, composer), Guinga (brazilian guitar player and composer), James Carter (tenor sax), Charlie Haden (double bass), Jason Linder (piano), Steve Wilson (sax), Joe Martin (double bass), Mark Turner (sax). She had the privilege to play with famous international musicians such as Thomas Gansch, Karel Boehlee, Hans van Oosterhout, Rembrandt Frerichs, Jasper van Hulten, Sal La Rocca, Guinga, Nelson Faria. Maria João expresses lifetime stories, her roots and her passion for Jazz and Brazilian music by singing. Her singing invites the audience to experience vivid and joyful rhythms combined with romantic melodies lead by intimate stories. Her debut album will arrive to the audience soon!

For more information please go to:

www.mariajoaomendes.com

Thibault Dille Thibault Dille (Belgium, 1986) is the youngest musician ever to be honoured with the prestigious Belgium prize "Toots Thielemans Jazz Award 2009". Thibault Dille’s first passion for a musical instrument was the accordion. Having his family’s encouragement, Thibault started his musical studies at the young age of 8 years old. At 17 years old, Thibault began his jazz studies at the Koninklijk Conservatorium of Brussels. In 2009, Thibault finished his Master studies with the highest degree. At this institution he studied with Diederik Wissels, Nathalie Loriers, Kris Defoort, David Linx, amoung other respected Belgium musicians. Life/career has been smiling to this talented young accordion player. In 2009 the famous Belgium guitar player Fabien Degryse invited Thibault Dille for his tour and for the recording of his cd "The Heart of The Acoustic Guitar - Chapter 2" where he had the opportunity to play as well with John Ruocco. In the same year Thibault was the jazz musician chosen by the well know Jazz pianist Ivan Paduart to play one of his new compositions. This premiere was done with one of Thibault’s project the "A dos d'âmes", a trio with Sarah Klenes (vocals) and Annemie Osborne (cello). He also was the musical director of an interesting show that gathered the finest young Belgium jazz musicians combining Brazilian and Portuguese music. Still in 2009 Thibault recorded his debut album “Zatten André” with the talented French guitar player Alexis Thérain. Together they developed a very special album in duo with original songs and some jazz standards. With this new album Thibault went touring in New York, Montréal and Québec. A second album “Filochards” was recorded with Claude Vadasz in France 2009.

Thibault is frequently travelling through Europe for concerts. Regularly he plays in the finest venues in France, Belgium and The Netherlands. In Belgium he is quite active with his duo project with the saxophonist Julien Delbrouck; the Brussels Vocal Project (an Acapella vocal project); a live electronic music project/show that gathers accordions and synthesizers (FLA$$H); and the musical direction of the show Luz Chabane (a show that combines the most important composers of the Chanson Française). In France he plays with the prestigious group of musicians like Jeremie Ternoy, Christophe Hache and Charles Duytschaever (with whom he went on tour to Vietnam in October 2010); and also he plays with a funk-rock & roll band called Wazlax.In The Netherlands Thibault Dille plays with the prestigious young jazz Portuguese singer Maria João Mendes. His accordion plays an important and exquisite role in Maria João’s music. Discography, co-leader:

- "Zatten André" (2009) (Thibault Dille - Accordion / Alexis Therain - Guitar) - "Luz Chabane Chante Brel" (2010) (Thibault Dille - Accordion, Piano, Direction musicale / Luz Chabane- Vocals)

Discography, as a guest: - "Filochards" (2009) (Claude Vadasz - Vocals, Guitar, Composition / Nicolas Mahieux - Double bass / Charles Duytschaever - Drums / David Laisné - Claviers / Alexis Therain - Guitar / Thibault Dille - Accordion / Daniel Mille - Accordion) - "The Heart Of The Acoustic Guitar - Chapter 2" (2009) (Fabien Degryse - Guitar / Bart De Nolf - Double bass / Bruno Castellucci - Drums / John Ruocco - Clarinet / Thibault Dille - Accordion)

For more information please visit:

www.myspace.com/thibaultdille

HAMLETO STAMATO “Stamato makes virtuosity, swingin’ on his CD trilogy of “Speed Samba Jazz”” Hamleto Stamato is the first Brazilian piano player developing a CD trilogy of an eclectic, refined new way of combining Jazz with the modern MPB and Bossa Nova. Pianist, composer, musical arranger and producer, music has always been part of Hamleto Stamato’s life. His father, also called Hamleto, was a brilliant saxophonist and flutist who played in Hermeto Pascoal’s group. Hamelto (1968) was born in S.Paulo, Brazil. He started studying piano when he was only six years old. The death of his father made young Stamato (at that time with eleven years old) start official music studies at Conservatório de Música de Bebedouro. Later on he moved to Rio de Janeiro where in 1998 he graduated in piano studies at the Estácio de Sá University. Immediately after graduation he was quickly recognized as one of the most promising pianists of the new Brazilian generation. The musician trajectory started with presentations abroad and later on with great musical studio productions. He had tours in Venezuela, Spain, Sweden and Denmark. He played in Moscow in the prestigious Bolshoy Ballet Theater with the “Bossa Nova Trio Fogueira Três”. During this period Hamleto also played with Rosa Passos, Danilo Caymmi, Tim Maia, Claudia Telles, to mention a few. In 1997, Hamleto Stamato played on the Free Jazz Festival as the piano player of the Brazilian best trumpet player Paulinho da Tompete.

In 2004, he took part of the release of João Bosco’s songbook, accompanying Ivan Lins, Leila Pinheiro, Simone and Djavan. He played with Caetano Veloso, Martinho da Vila, Paulinho da Viola, Alcione, Beth Carvalho, among others. He also arranged songs for João Bosco, Simone, Elba Ramalho, Lenine, Daniela Mercury and Caymmi’s family. More recently Hamleto has been the piano player and arranger of the Brazilian jazz diva Leny Andrade. Beside his successful career in 2000, together with Robertinho Silva and Ney Conceição, he played in the Queen’s Theater in New York. In the same year, Hamleto, together with his business partner PH Castanheira, started the BrPlus brand which includes musical production and recording studio. This partnership has been responsible for big productions on the Brazilian TV channel “TV Globo”, like: “Fama”, “Criança Esperança”, “Brasil 500” (live shows in France during World Cup in 1998 and in Brasíilia in 2000 were broadcasted in Brazil and in other American Latin countries) and “Estação Globo de Novelas” One of his compositions, “Tema da Academia” was part of the soundtrack of the TV Globo’s soap opera “Andando nas nuvens”. For more information please visit: www.hamletostamato.com

THE BAND Hamleto Stamato Trio “Speed Samba Jazz” stands for our innovated groove. We have a way of playing everything a bit before the beat! From that we associat the “speed” to the jazzy way we play samba.” Hamleto Stamato

Piano – Hamleto Stamato Electric Bass – Ney Conceição Drums – Erivelton Silva In 2003 Hamleto Stamato released his first solo album “Speed Samba Jazz”, Aclaimed by the critic, “Speed Samba Jazz” is the first cd out of a cd trilogy of Hamleto Stamato trio. This first cd has Paulinho da Trompete in the flugelhorn.

In 2005 was released the “Speed Samba Jazz 2”. On this second cd of the “Speed Samba Jazz” trilogy, Hermeto Pascoal was the very special guest. Hermeto joined the band playing the melodica, with his famous song “Chorinho Pra Ele”. One year later, 2006, the trio released the “Speed Samba Jazz 3”, his third and last cd of this trilogy.

In the end of 2008, Hamleto Stamato trio released a DVD/CD called “Gafieira Jazz”. A horn section composed by Paulinho Trompete (trumpet), Widor Santiago (sax) and Roberto Marques (trombone) joins Hamleto Stamato trio on a stronger “Speed Samba Jazz” concept now with six musicians on stage.Both “Speed Samba Jazz” and “Gafieira Jazz” performed in important theaters and Jazz Festivals in South America and in Europe.

STAGE PLAN

RYDER General: 4 music stands 2 water botles per musician

Voice: (In case the Concert Hall cannot arrange the microphone requested by the artist, then the artist brings her own microphone) Wireless microphone Neumaan KSM 105 Wireless system compatible with Neumaan microphone model Microphone cable Microphone stand Monitor

Accordion: 2 XLR cables (with phantom power) to connect to his own cardioids microphoneWedge-separate circuit Monitor Piano: Acoustic piano (tuned!) Monitor

Bass: Bass amplifier Monitor Drums: (In case the Concert Hall cannot arrange a drum kit, the drummer will take his own kit.) YAMAHA MAPLE / SONOR or PEARL 18 or 20" bass drum (NO 22"!) with pro pedal 14" snare + stand 10' or 12" high-tom 14" floor tom (with legs) 4 cymbal stands Hi-hat stand + hi-hat clutchStable drum seat Drum tuning key Drum carpet Little table or rack for sticks and percussion 1 monitor on the left side (left, watching from behind kit) Towel Mics: Senheizer, shure, ... Acoustic micing, no close micing.

OTHER INFORMATION Budget For buget information please contact: - 0031 643 542 607 (contact person: Maria João Mendes) Or email: manager@mariajoaomendes.com Music www.myspace.com/mariajoaojazz Video www.youtube.com/mariajoaojazz Press and Multimedia press@mariajoaomendes.com www.mariajoaomendes.com