Extreme Flute Alert

If you’re wanting an excuse to drop by ever-so-trendy College Street, here’s a perfect opportunity! Warm up your winter this weekend with some Portugese-flavoured jazz, courtesy of Mister Extreme Flute himself, Bill McBirnie as he joins guitarist Louis Simão at Sage West for two performances this Friday and Saturday, starting at 9 pm, north side of College, just west of Dovercourt…this is not to be missed: Bill is the man! Full details below…

Mandinga Music announces
Louis Simão & Bill McBirnie

Friday, February 20th, 2009
Saturday, February 21st, 2009
9:00 pm
No Cover
Sage West
 924 College St.
647-346-6183

Award-winning composer (2007 USA Songwriting Competition, 2005 Songs from the Heart, OCFF) and multi-instrumentalist Louis Simão’s original music draws from a number of styles and traditions including that of his heritage of Portuguese folk songs and fado ranging from samba and bossa nova to African music and jazz.  With a culturally diverse sound that is rooted at the crossroads of lusophone music, Simão has performed throughout Canada as well as in Portugal and Morocco.
 
Joining him will be jazz and Latin flute specialist, Bill McBirnie (Flutist of the Year, Jazz Report Awards).   Bill is known for his superior technique on the entire family of flutes from bass flute to piccolo.  Recognized as an accomplished improviser, notably in the bebop, swing and Latin idioms whose distinctive style has been characterized as “effortlessly inventive” (Mark Miller, The Globe and Mail).
 
With Louis on vocals and guitar and Bill on flute, this duo sets out a truly unique musical tapestry woven with the rhythms and melodies of the Portuguese-speaking world, coupled with the energy and improvisatory spirit of jazz.  The resulting experience promises a virtuosic and compelling performance that will fascinate your ears and transport you to another time and place.
 
www.mandingamusic.ca · www.myspace.com/mandingamusic
www.louissimao.com · www.myspace.com/louissimaofaia
www.myspace.com/billmcbirnieextremeflute