Brazilian music hits stage in Sisters

A taste of Brazil is coming to Sisters Country. On Friday, June 23, Vianna-Bergeron Brazilian Jazz will bring the grooves and joy of Brazilian music to Sisters Depot. The band is led by Cassio Vianna and Tom Bergeron.

Cassio Vianna is a pianist with a deep knowledge of and connection to the rhythms and harmonies of samba, bossa nova, and other Brazilian genres. After earning a bachelor's degree in Brazilian popular music in his native Rio de Janeiro, he came to the U.S. in 2009 to further his musical education. Now holding a doctorate in composition, he is the Director of Jazz Studies at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma.

Tom Bergeron holds a doctorate in saxophone. He has performed with Ella Fitzgerald, Natalie Cole, Robert Cray, and many other artists in his varied career. After 28 years teaching jazz, Brazilian music, and music theory at Western Oregon University, he retired to Camp Sherman with his wife Rosi, who sings with the band.

Rosi Bergeron is a Brazilian singer and licensed professional counselor with a practice in Bend and Camp Sherman. A native of Rio de Janeiro, she and Tom met there, brought together by their shared love of Brazilian music. She brings to the band the sensuous sound of Brazilian Portuguese.

The Bergerons met Vianna and bassist Wagner Trindade at a beachside resort in Brazil, where the pianist and bassist played nightly with their trio. The connection brought both Vianna and Trindade to Oregon.

Wagner Trindade grew up surrounded and seduced by the richness of Brazilian music and, like Vianna, earned a degree in Brazilian popular music in Rio - and later a master's degree at Western Oregon University. Now Professor of Music at Harbor College in Los Angeles, he is in constant demand as a bassist in the LA area.

The band will be joined by the drummer Todd Strait. Originally from Kansas City, Strait has toured with Kevin Mahogany, Karrin Allyson, and Eldar; and has recorded on several Grammy-nominated albums. Now based in Portland, he is recognized as one of the Northwest's premier drummers of jazz and Brazilian genres.

The band will play 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 23 at Sisters Depot as part of the Jazz at Sisters Depot concert series. There will be a $5 cover charge.

Sisters Depot is located at 250 W. Cascade Ave.