During these uncertain times and the unpredictability of opening and closing of concert venues, in between a bit of calm was a concert to be remembered with heartfelt romantic music, equipped with LA’s top musicians. Leading the way was the dynamic Kaylene Peoples with her show titled “Romantic Bossa-Nova” – a breathtaking concert that has found its way into the hearts of serious Bossa-nova enthusiasts on July 17, 2021. For starters, guest performer Larry Dunn, a 7-time Grammy-winning artist and original member/songwriter/keyboardist (formerly) of Earth Wind & Fire opened with a gripping performance of his composition “Runnin’.”
(Gallery Photos by Alex Kluft Photography)
Bunny Brunel (who became famous from his nine-year stint with Chick Corea), the 2-time Grammy-nominated bassist performed on fretless and (his BBEUB) upright bass; and probably wore the most hats that evening (at the Catalina Jazz Club) as musical director. The French-born American sang in Brazilian Portuguese and soloed on his fretless bass on Kaylene Peoples’s intriguing arrangement of “Aguas de Março” (Waters of March) from her Romantic Bossa-Nova 2020 release. With Chad Wackerman (Frank Zappa) on drums and Grammy-nominated Dennis Hamm (Thundercat) on the 9-foot grand piano at the revered Catalina Jazz Club, the musical score was beyond dynamic. Joined by Guitarist Joe Calderon (Dianne Reeves) and percussionist Jon Brooks (Macy Gray), the performers laid the foundation for an evening of “soulful” Bossa-nova, as described by Levy Lee Simon, who was in attendance that night.
“I am a big fan of Bossa-nova, and it was my first time seeing Kaylene Peoples perform her show; I was blown away by it. Her voice magically elevated and took me on a ride to another place and time. I don’t know many artists—male or female—that can sing and play the flute equally well. And to top it off, the show is so damn s**y. Peoples exudes sensuality with every move, with every sound, with every note. Kaylene’s band with Bunny Brunel and guest artist Larry Dunn is exceptional. I had a great time—I believe a great time was had by all.” –Levy Lee Simon, Multi-Award Winning Writer/Actor/Director/Producer
There have been many incarnations of Bossa-nova since the style took off in America with “Desafinado” from Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd’s Jazz Samba in 1962; Dave Brubeck Quartet in January 1962, recording “Vento Fresco” from Bossa Nova USA; and Herbie Mann’s “One Note Samba” from his Brazil, Bossa Nova & Blues in late 1961 or early ’62. (Referenced from Jazz.FM 91 “How Brazil’s Bossa-nova Became All the Rage in ‘60s America,” by Marc Myers.) What Kaylene Peoples brings to the genre is a mix of American soulful tradition, jazz improvisation, and instrumental virtuosity, making “Romantic Bossa-nova” an original embodiment of the style. Kaylene’s love for music started as a child as she learned to solo on the flute while her father, who was a self-taught musician, would play the blues on the piano.
“I always love to talk about how I got started improvising. Sometimes my dad and I would be up at 3am just jamming, playing my flute until my mom would cut it off! I was just a kid. I had to get up in the morning and go to school! Those are fond memories for me. I thank my dad for pushing me. I loved it! And to this day, I incorporate my flute in my compositions and my performances.”—Kaylene Peoples
These early musical experiences inspired Kaylene to compose and arrange music. She went on to study composition with Academy Award-winners Walter Scharf, David Raksin, and Henry Mancini. She’s written symphonies, a ballet, and countless string arrangements throughout her career. This education comes through as a recording artist and can be heard in her jazz albums off of her Boogsey Music label: All Jazzed Up! (2005), The Meaning of Christmas (2013), My Man (2015), Carol of the Bells (2017), and Romantic Bossa-Nova (2020).
“Music speaks to our souls. I can change a scene or change a MOOD. Creating something from nothing, and watching how it affects others is what moves me. Whether it is a standalone composition or a new arrangement on a well-loved song, I love to watch people’s faces when they hear my compositions and arrangements. And countless people have told me that they were blessed by my music. Those testimonies are what moves me the most!” Formidable Women’s Magazine, “Kaylene Peoples – The Renaissance Woman” Interview by Jules Lavallee
Kaylene Peoples Romantic Bossa-Nova was inspired by a private concert that featured singer/actress Chase Masterson (Star Trek: Deep Space 9, Leeta) with guest performer Dave Pell (Saxophonist & Founder of West Coast Jazz). Sadly only a few months after that first “Romantic Bossa-Nova” show, Dave Pell passed away. Kaylene Peoples in collaboration with Chase Masterson, and co-composer Bunny Brunel wrote “Dave Pell-Just for Fun.” The song is featured on the Romantic Bossa-Nova CD. So what can one expect from Peoples’s show: “So Nice” and “Spain” off of My Man CD; “Once I Loved,” “How Insensitive,” “One Note Samba,” and “Girl from Ipanema” from All Jazzed Up! Then from Romantic Bossa-Nova, “Berimbau,” “Telephone Song,” “Agua de Beber,” “Corcovado,” “Waters of March,” “Bésame Mucho,” and “Dindi.” Every Kaylene Peoples concert comes with an element of mystique. Whether it’s a surprise giveaway, or a heart-to-heart with an audience member during a set, or maybe even a surprise celebrity guest performer.
“I was so very blessed to sit in on a couple of songs during this beautiful concert with the extremely talented and beautiful Kaylene whose vocals and flute performance was off the chain, which also featured my buddy, world-renowned bassist Bunny Brunel, along with the other unbelievably top notch musicians! It was truly an honor playing with these extremely talented “peoples”, no pun intended! And I am such a lover of Brazilian music, at any rate, all I can say is I had a ball and y’all should’ve been there!” – Larry Dunn
“I enjoyed this concert immensely. The ambiance and atmosphere was so relaxing, and seeing happy faces, it was so nice to get out and hear some real live music. The performance was wonderful and dreamy, and being of Latin decent, it was so refreshing to hear the hypnotic Brazilian rhythms. Kaylene’s vocals AND flute interpretations were awesome. Both original compositions and classics are so beautiful. I have the CD, and I love it; it was so wonderful to hear it live. And Bunny Brunel—everybody knows him as a bass giant; so many were surprised to hear him sing. What a treat. And Larry Dunn always brings some fire by playing those beautiful melodic solos. All the band members were on point and beyond! Great concert. So glad I was there.” Luisa Dunn, Vocalist/Producer/Composer, and Award-Winning Recording Artist
Kaylene Peoples will be performing “Romantic Bossa-Nova” with opening performer Gary Stockdale on Sunday, September 26, 2021, at 8:00 pm at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s, located at 4349 Tujunga Ave., Studio City, CA, 91604.
For Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kaylene-peoples-romantic-bossa-nova-tickets-166528171243
“I like to keep people guessing. I’ll change up my material and even introduce a new flavor to the set. I just love observing the reactions of the audience. And as long as those beautiful souls are smiling and dancing in their seats, I’m happy. With my next Romantic Bossa-Nova concert, there just might be a surprise guest performance. You’ll just have to buy a ticket to find out!” –Kaylene Peoples, Multi-Award Winning Recording Artist & Producer
About Kaylene Peoples: L.A. Music Awards-winning Producer Kaylene’s first jazz CD All Jazzed Up! (2005) made a splash across the nation when her single “Do You Remember” was played across the country. The single climbed to the top of the independent charts (AC40/NMW! Top 100 Chart/FMQB & ACQB! and Indie 100 chart). Her 2015 release, My Man, blew up the airwaves and impressed concertgoers. Her song “Giant Steps” is an (Akademia) award-winner, featuring Hubert Laws, Bunny Brunel, and Bobby Lyle. And her CD Romantic Bossa-Nova (2020) is a smash hit amongst Bossa-nova fans. This former model and two-time State Beauty Pageant winner boast a rare 5-octave vocal range, is a multi-instrumentalist, and is a composer/arranger/conductor. Kaylene’s soloing instrument of choice is the flute. In honor of her father, she incorporates it heavily into her music. Peoples has performed/recorded with Bunny Brunel, Bobby Lyle, Hubert Laws, Stanley Clarke, Patrice Rushen, Jeff Goldblum, Larry Dunn, and others. Kaylene Peoples continues to blow her audiences away with her incredible vocal performances and equally impressive instrumental virtuosity! Visit: https://www.kaylenepeoples.com
The Romantic Bossa-Nova CD: Romantic Bossa-Nova is a breathtaking musical performance with a uniquely heart-warming interpretation of Bossa-nova at its best. Antonio Carlos Jobim, Cole Porter, Norman Gimbel, Vinicius de Moraes, and others with the songs “Night & Day,” “Corcovado,” “Waters of March,” “Dindi,” “Berimbau,” “Besame Mucho,” and more sung in Portuguese, English, and French by award-winning recording artist/producer/musician Kaylene Peoples. The CD features internationally acclaimed and 2-time Grammy-nominated bassist Bunny Brunel with a special treat on “Waters of March” (Aguas de Marços), where Bunny sings a duet in Brazilian Portuguese with Kaylene, and Bunny plays a “mean” Brazilian rhythm guitar the entire album while soloing and grooving on fretless and upright bass in the traditional Latin style! Since the first Romantic Bossa-Nova concert in 2016, Kaylene Peoples has been performing this show and touching the hearts of romantics, leading up to the release of the album in 2020. Romantic Bossa-Nova is touted as the most romantic show in town, and growing in popularity with every performance!
Like any aspiring bass player, I went through a “fusion phase” (otherwise known as college). I spent countless hours infatuated with complicated harmony, the wild and masterful displays of technical ability, and the jammiest of jams. It wasn’t long before I discovered the CAB albums featuring Tony MacAlpine, Dennis Chambers, Brian Auger, and bass player Bunny Brunel. This quickly sent me down a rabbit hole of fast paced licks, chord extensions, and the world of instrumental music. Years later, I’ve had an opportunity to revisit some of the CAB records and dig a bit deeper into Brunel’s catalogue of work with artists including Chick Corea, Mike Stern, Herbie Hancock, Stanley Clarke, and countless others. Between his signature basses, educational books and DVDs, and extensive career as a composer and producer, Brunel is an obvious choice for a Bass Player To Know.
