Angela Turone & Chris Platt EPK

Biography

Described by The Jazz Music Blog as a "masterful duo", Canadian musicians Angela Turone and Chris Platt have been collaborating since 2014. With Angela on vocals and Chris on guitar, they seek to explore the diverse and beautiful music of Brazil, performing their "fresh and faithful" (MusicWeb International) interpretations of repertoire from the bossa nova, samba and jazz genres.

Their debut, FACTOR-funded album, Sounds of Brazil (2020) is described by the The Jazz Music Blog as "a most exquisite and tender album of Brazilian music that is interpreted in a sensitive and skillful way." Sounds of Brazil reflects Angela and Chris' deep interest in Brazilian music and how it intertwines with their jazz roots. The album features some of Canada's top jazz talent, including Chase Sanborn, Pat Collins, Hélio Cunha, Robin Claxton, Andrew Downing and John Nicholson. Sounds of Brazil listed as number 73 on the Jazzweek charts in July 2020 and remained one of the top 102 albums for the three months following the release date. Their recently released EP, The Spinner Sessions, is a natural follow-up to Sounds of Brazil and features unique interpretations of three Brazilian classics.

Angela and Chris first crossed paths in their hometown of Toronto while completing their undergraduate studies in jazz performance at the University of Toronto. The two quickly bonded over a shared love and appreciation for Brazilian music.

Angela and Chris have performed in some of Canada's largest jazz festivals including the TD Toronto Jazz Festival, the TD Markham Jazz Festival, the TD Niagara Jazz Festival and the Kensington Market Jazz Festival.

Reviews

This pair, and their pals from the frozen north, find room to give Brazilian classics a new spin without making the apple fall far from the tree but still make it something new and engaging to hear. Letting their love for the classics and the masters lead the way, they serve up a sweetest set of Jobim etc you could hope to find. A first class treat for fans of the sound that set the standard.

Chris Spector
Midwest Record

Sounds of Brazil is a most exquisite and tender album of Brazilian music that is interpreted in a sensitive and skillful way by the masterful duo of Angela Turone and Chris Platt. Angela's crisp and colorful vocal style is suited perfectly to the well chosen compositions and Chris' harmonic and bouncing guitar lines blend in with effortless ease that makes this release a joy to listen to.

Marty Delia
The Jazz Music Blo

Turone beautifully handles all the piano playing and singing – much of the latter in Portuguese – and her warm, pure vocals really suit the style. Platt does all the deft guitar work, most prominently on nylon string… The standout, for me, is Lendas Brasileiras by Guinga. Gorgeous. The final tune – featuring percussionist Helio Cunha – ventures into samba territory and since that style epitomizes the renowned pre-Lent celebrations in Rio, A Festa Do Divino, is a fitting closer to this fine album.

Cathy Riches
The WholeNote

Awards