Name: BRAZJAZ ENSEMBLE - MUSIC OF BRAZIL
Start: 2026-04-04T10:00:00+11:00
Location: The Jazzlab

BRAZJAZ ENSEMBLE
Samba Jazz & MPB - Music of Brazil
SATURDAY 4 APRIL 2026
Doors Open 7:30 pm
Music Starts 8:00 pm
After their captivating sold-out performance last January, BRAZJAZ returns to The JazzLab for another special night, featuring an exciting and creatively charged lineup that promises a vibrant and inspired evening
JACK EARLE (Piano)
YAEL ZAMIR (Flute)
JORGE ALBUQUERQUE (Bass)
with special guest
DANY MAIA (Vocals)
Together with BRAZJAZ founder and Brazilian-born percussionist CARLOS FERREIRA, they explore the music of Brazil’s great composers, a selection of classic American jazz pieces re-imagined with Carlos’ Brazilian-infused arrangements, and Carlos’ own compositions.
A relaxed, joyful night of Samba Jazz created by friends who truly love playing together.
Come share the vibe — it’s always something special.
ABOUT THE PERFORMERS
YAEL ZAMIR is a musician and composer performing regularly in the Melbourne music scene. Following her study of classical flute, she shifted her interest in 2018 to more improvisatory genres, such as jazz and Brazilian choro. She has since had the pleasure of performing alongside esteemed Australian musicians such as Alastair Kerr, Paul Grabowsky, Tony Gould, James Sherlock, Rob Burke, Philip Rex, Craig Fermanis, Ben Hanlon, Simon Starr and Mark Fitzgibbon. Since graduating from The Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music in 2022, Yael has been exploring Melbourne’s diverse music scene through a variety of projects, many with an emphasis on Brazilian music. In her own projects and compositions, Yael’s love for Brazilian music is almost always detectable.
JACK EARLE is one of Australia’s finest young musicians. He has performed locally, interstate, and internationally as a soloist, as well as with his bands The Jack Earle Trio and The Jack Earle Big Band (with whom he has independently released albums of original music). When not performing jazz and original music, he can be found working on Professional Musical Theatre shows such as The Lion King and Dream Lover.
JORGE ALBUQUERQUE is a bass player, guitarist, composer and arranger based in Melbourne, originally from Rio de Janeiro. He began his career in the late ’80s playing in Brazilian jazz groups such as Orquestra Oficina and Orquestra de Sax, and studied with Adriano Gifoni and Nelson Farias. His influences include Egberto Gismonti, Hermeto Pascoal, Toninho Horta, Nico Assumpção, Bill Evans, Chick Corea and Weather Report.
Jorge has recorded and performed internationally, taught at major music schools in Rio, and worked with artists including Antonio Adolfo, Nestor Torres and Nando Lauria. After extensive travels performing on cruise ships and in hotels worldwide, he is now a fixture of Melbourne’s Brazilian and jazz scenes, performing with Panorama do Brasil, Agostina Bruno, BrazJaz, Suingue Brazuca and Dany Maia.
CARLOS FERREIRA, a drummer/percussionist from Rio de Janeiro, brings deep roots in Samba to Australia, where he has been a driving force in the Brazilian music community since 1985. He founded Melsamba (Australia’s first Samba school) in 1988, BrazJaz in 1991 and Suingue Brazuca in 2007. Carlos has performed at major festivals worldwide and is widely respected for his work in Samba Jazz and traditional Samba. He is also a leading educator and event organiser.
Special Guest:
DANY MAIA, a Brazilian originally from Bahia, blends traditional rhythms such as Samba and Forró with Bossa Nova and contemporary pop influences. Beginning her artistic life as a dancer, she later transitioned into singing, leading bands and performing at major Brazilian Carnivals. Her music reflects the vibrant cultural mix of her homeland. In 2022, she delivered a standout performance in the Melbourne Recital Centre special Dois na Bossa, produced and musically directed by Carlos Ferreira for Suingue Brazuca.
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