Brazilian Singer And Pianist Abelita Mateus Performs Jazz On The Terrace At The Parrish

Grammy-nominated Brazilian singer/songwriter/pianist Abelita Mateus is part of the new generation of great Brazilian musicians. On Friday, July 19, at 6 p.m. she will bring her original songs and virtuoso piano playing to “Jazz on the Terrace,” an outdoor concert at the Parrish Art Museum.

The New York-based Ms. Mateus plays international venues such as the Blue Note in New York, Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, Yoshi’s Jazz Club in San Francisco, Ronnie Scott’s in London, and Bird’s Basement in Melbourne, Australia. Released in 2017, Mateus’s debut album “Vivenda” reached the 24th position on the Jazz Week charts. In 2018 her second album “Mixed Feelings” was nominated for Grammy Awards in three categories.

Originally from São Paulo, Ms. Mateus began classical piano studies in her teens and developed a passion for jazz that brought her to the U.S. to pursue a Master of Music in Jazz Studies and Performance at William Paterson University. In Brazil, she performed with leading artists including Vinicius Dorin, Raul de Souza, and Hermeto Pascoal. Ms. Mateus is currently the pianist for the Dizzy Gillespie Afro-Cuban Experience, directed by Dizzy Gillespie alumni John Lee. She has performed with such notables as Paquito D’Rivera, John Lee, The Dizzy Gillespie Big Band, Antonio Hart, Eric Alexander, Larry Coryell, Claudio Roditi, Raul de Souza, Hermeto Pascoal, Dave Stryker, Romero Lubambo, and Portinho. In 2017, she was invited to perform alongside Helen Sung, Marcia Ball and Joanne Brackeen for NPR’S A Jazz Piano Christmas at the Kennedy Center.

“Jazz on the Terrace” at the Parrish is organized by Richie Siegler and it features live, outdoor performances by accomplished jazz artists with a backdrop of the East End sunset. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets to enjoy the music from the terrace or the lawn. Food and specialty drinks are available for purchase. All summer concerts are free with museum admission and take place rain or shine. The Parrish Art Museum is located at 297 Montauk Highway in Water Mill. Call 631-283-2118 or visit parrishart.org for details.