SUSAn
PALMa
NIDEL
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flute
alto. flute
leader
In his 1990 New York Times Review entitled A Flutist Who Spans Many Idioms, Donal Henahan wrote: “Susan Palma has long been held in awe as a virtuoso flutist and a good musical citizen by followers of a wide variety of performing groups, including Speculum Musicae, Orpheus, the American Composers Orchestra, the Paul Taylor Dance Company and the Bach Chamber Soloists. Her [solo recital] program at Merkin Concert Hall on Tuesday evening may or may not have been planned to reflect that catholicity of associations, but it left the listener in little doubt as to her range of capabilities.”
Susan has recorded over 70 CDs for DGG and Nonesuch with Orpheus including her own album of Mozart Flute Concerto in G and the Flute and Harp Concerto with harpist Nancy Allen. Gramophone Magazine called it the “the best recording of these works to date”. She is featured on the Orpheus Copland recording of Appalachian Spring, which was nominated for a Grammy as well as the 2001 Grammy winning Shadow Dances.
Susan has continued to perform this music but circa 1999, she began to move away from, but not forget, her classical background. Fortuitous meetings began with new musicians who helped her find a new way. On a tour to Buenos Aires in 1997 with Orpheus she met Pablo Zeigler who had been Astor Piazzolla’s pianist from 1979-1989. Because of Pablo’s interest in writing for chamber orchestra and chamber groups they began working together, playing his music, Tango Jazz, as well as his arrangements of Piazzolla’s music.
Pablo soon wrote Susan a Suite for Flute and String Quartet, which was recorded on her first solo CDs, Elegante: New Flute Music of South America (2012). Also included on Elegante were Ivan Lins singing two of his own tunes accompanied by Susan’s friend and colleague Branford Marsalis. Hector del Curto, the great bandoneon player, guitarist Leo Amuedo and the talented Café on percussion also highlight that recording. A new version of Villa Lobos’ “Jet Whistle/Assobio do Jato” is brilliantly reimagined by Robert Sadin with Chico Pinheiro, guitar, Eddie Arron, cello and Cyro Baptista, percussion accompanying Susan.
Because of these meetings and her highly successful debut solo recording, Susan began searching for a new World Music project. This search eventually led to her exploration of the rich musical tradition of Portugal. With the encouragement of Ivan Lins, Susan sought out the finest musicians in Lisboa and found that there was great interest in working with a renowned, classical New York flutist who had a passion for their music. Lisboa Íntima was released in Portugal November 11, 2016.
Susan continues to perform regularly with Orpheus both in the US and around the world and with the American Composers Orchestra in New York City. For more on Lisboa à Solta, her new recording released September 12, 2018, see “The Story” both in the booklet in the CD and on this site.
Throughout her website www.susanpalmanidel.com, there are informative videos of the recording sessions in Lisboa and descriptions of the projects in a short video as well as more information about all the musicians who participated on the recording.
Or, go to YouTube for the video of the sessions and Susan discussing the project
Please see and hear more about Susan throughout her website.
RICHARD O. NIDEL executive producer
RICHARD O. NIDEL (executive producer) conceived and developed Lisboa à Solta with Susan and Gil Goldstein. In 2004, he wrote: WORLD MUSIC: THE BASICS, (Routledge), which remains an important reference work in the field. It is a comprehensive survey of folk, traditional, roots and popular music from virtually every country in the world, containing brief historical, political and musical commentaries and anecdotes for each country and extensive recording recommendations for 1000s of artists. His love and knowledge of Portuguese musical genres is central to Susan’s Lisboa projects and has informed the repertoire.
Richard owned and operated Citron 47, a World Music Bistro in New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen, from 1995-2000, featuring renowned World musicians Richard Bona (Cameroon); Bakhiti Kumalo & Tony Cedras (South Africa); Pablo Ziegler, Pablo Aslan, Cecila Tenconi & Hector del Curto (Argentina); Romero Lubamba, Café, Teco Cardoso, Weber Iago, Vanderlei Pereira (Brasil); Hector Martignon (Colombia); Johnny Almendra, Valerie Naranjo, Philip Hamilton, Kimson Plaut, Mark Lambert, Leo Traversa and Frank Colon (New York); and Jazz luminaries Frank Wess, Annie Ross, Jimmy Owens, Warren Vaché, Jeff Haynes and Howard Alden.
Richard has published numerous writings about Wine including his widely acclaimed “knowledge cards” for Pomegranate. When not involved in new music projects or writing about wine, Richard reluctantly works as a practicing attorney with offices in New York City.
GUEST MUSICIANS on Lisboa à Solta
The Singers:
FAUSTO BORDALO DIAS (vocals, composer) is a musical legend in Portugal, a composer and visionary musician revered throughout the country and Lusofone Africa. Born in the Atlantic ocean aboard a ship in 1948, Fausto spent his childhood and adolescence in Angola where he discovered his interest in music.
In 1968 he settled in Lisboa to start university studies in Socio-Political Sciences and International Relations and soon joined the movement to oust the Salazar dictatorship, where he met and began to collaborate with Zeca Afonso, Adriano Correia de Oliveira, Manuel Freire, José Mario Branco and others, becoming an integral part of the revolutionary process leading to April 25, 1974. The Portuguese music world then discovered his remarkable voice and composing ability.
Fausto’s music is a journey through the universe of sound, collective memory and the history of his country, and especially Portugal’s relationship to Africa. His recordings insightfully chronicle Portugal’s abuse and colonization of Africa, and its post revolution relationship with the continent. All his recordings are different and wonderful, always subtly political, witty and pointing forward.
Prior to Lisboa à Solta, Fausto had become somewhat reclusive and had not recorded in many years, his best work completed perhaps in the late 1990s. It seems that Susan’s sessions have served to introduce a new period of creativity for one of Portugal’s musical giants, who once again is appearing on concert stages in 2018.
The energy and excitement of the musicians in the studio for the Lisboa à Solta session was euphoric when Fausto arrived; he clearly moved and inspired his colleagues, singing in top form. Please see “The Story” in the booklet to the CD for more on the recording with Fausto.
RICARDO RIBEIRO (vocals) was raised in the Bairro da Ajuda section of Lisboa and started singing at the age of 9 for his friends. Today, he is widely considered to be the leading male Fado singer in the world, although his versatility has allowed him to expand to other musical genres.
In 2004 he participated in A tribute to Amalia Rodriques, a compilation recording and homage to the Portugal’s greatest Fadista, which also included Ana Moura, Argentina Santos, Cristina Branco and Joana Amendoeira.
His debut album Ricardo Ribeiro was released in 2004, marked by several traditional Fado tracks but also including compositions by Jorge Fernando, Paco González and Manuel Mendes.
Ricardo has won numerous awards including the coveted Amalia Prize given by the Amália Rodrigues Foundation (2005) and best male performer by the Foundation in 2011. In 2006 he was selected to perform a Fado version of Portugal’s National Anthem during the 2006 World Cup in Germany. In 2007 he appeared at the club "Casa de Fados" in the international film Fados, directed by Carlos Saura.
Today, Ricardo is one of the few Portuguese musical artists to achieve International renown, regularly touring Europe, East Asia, Africa and the United States. He often records and performs with Pedro Jóia and Zé Manel Neto and can be heard on two tracks in Lisboa à Solta: Canção com Lagrimas, and in the coda to Meu Fado Meu. It was an honor to have Ricardo perform on the recording
NÉ LADÉIRAS (vocals) is a veteran of the renowned folk ensembles Trovanté and Brigada Victor Jara, a visionary artist, musician and vocalist from the northeast region of Portugal, Tras-os-Montes. Her recordings from the 1980s and 1990s are revered as masterpieces of Portuguese folk music, especially with Né as lead vocalist in the eclectic Banda do Casaco. Né is a long time friend of Fausto’s and was the one who brought him to the sessions.
Her vocal on Foi Por Ela shows Né’s uniquely soulful, natural and mysterious voice to perfection and her collaboration with Fausto on the CDs last track Ao longo de um Claro Rio de agua doce is magical.
Né recently completed a long awaited, exciting new solo recording of her own compositions titled Outras Vidas, released in Portugal in November 2016.
The instrumentalists
CARLOS BARRETTO (double bass) is the leading double bass player in Jazz and popular music in all of Portugal. After completing courses at the National Music Conservatory of Lisbon, Carlos resided in Vienna (1980-1982) to study with the legendary Ludwig Streicher. While in Paris (1984-1993), he performed in the most prestigious festivals throughout France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Carlos returned to Portugal in 1993, and recorded 9 CDs as a leader. He currently is collaborating with LST (String trio), Suitable (António Eustáquio), the Carlos Martins Quartet and in his own trio with guitarist Mãrio Delgado and percussionist José Salgueiras. He has worked with numerous jazz and world musicians, including: André Gago, Lee Konitz, Steve Grossman, Gary Bartz, Steve Lacy, Steve Potts, Brad Mehldau, Art Farmer, Carlos Bechegas, Jorge Pardo, Mal Waldron, Bernardo Sassetti, Richard Galliano, Mário Laginha and Barry Altschul. His artistry can be heard throughout both Lisboa recordings.
JOSÉ MANUEL NETO (guitarra Portuguesa) is widely considered the leading proponent of the guitarra Portuguésa in the world today, perhaps without peer. The instrument is the signature sound of Fado, possessing an immediately recognizable, almost metallic sound. All Fado singers rely on the guitarra Portuguesa in their live performances; it is the instrumental voice of Fado, much as the bandoneon is the essence of Tango.
Zé Manel is ubiquitous on the world stage, travelling constantly and in demand as a studio musician. He is an integral part of the major Portuguese ensembles that tour the world including top Portuguese international stars Maríza, Camané, Ana Moura and Carlos do Carmo. He is an astonishing improviser. Zé Manel joins Susan on Lisboa à Solta, bringing a breathtaking elegance to several tracks highlighted by a give and take, dar e receber, with Susan at the conclusion of Foi Por Ela and E Levantou-se Ó Arraial.
PEDRO JÓIÀ (guitar) is an internationally renowned guitar virtuoso whose versatility includes a rare expertise in Flamenco guitar. He has recorded six albums in his own name and is a featured soloist on numerous other recordings.
Pedro resided in Brazil for several years and worked there with Ney Matogrosso, Yamandú Costa, Gilberto Gil and many others. In 2008 he was awarded the Carlos Paredes Prize for the album À Espera de Armandinho, which interprets the art of the great maestro. Since 2013, Pedro has toured the world with the great Fado and Pop singer, Mariza, for whom he is musical director.
Pedro has developed a wonderful rapport with Susan over the past 3 years, performing with her in Portugal and the United States. Their concerts in the US in May and July 2017, along with Ruca Rebordão (see bio below) were the inspiration for recording Lisboa à Solta. Susan and Pedro’s duets on Carlos Paredes’ Canção and Pedro’s own composition, Velho Mondego, both arranged by Pedro, are highlights of the recording.
RUCA REBORDÃO (percussion, berimbau, chant) is an internationally acclaimed percussionist from Angola, a master of the berimbau, who possesses a broad understanding of the music and rhythms from everywhere in the world.
Ruca has worked with many musical luminaries including Sadao Watanabe, Alejandro Sanz, Rão Kyão, Madredeus, Paulo de Carvalho, António Chainho, Mariza, Melody Gardot, Ivan Lins, Fafá de Belém, and is a fixture on the Lisboa music scene today.
Ruca is regularly involved in World Music festivals on the Iberian peninsula performing as the percussionist with, and musical advisor to many up and coming artists and dance companies. He is the driving force in rising star Luiz Caracol’s trio and continues to perform in tandem with the iconic Rão Kyão.
Ruca’s berimbau opens the session and his percussion work throughout is the backbone and the heart and soul of Lisboa à Solta.
SANDRA MARTINS (cello, clarinet, chorus) studied at the Academia Luísa Todi, the Lisbon Conservatory of Music and the Oporto Higher School of Music. She has played with numerous folk and European dance and music projects and also with many dance companies. Internationally, as a cellist, she performed with the Taiwan Puppetry Company and in live concerts with artists such as Kanyé West.
She took part in the Rosa Negra project, with which she received the coveted Carlos Paredes award. She was also a member of the Os Poetas project, which included Rodrigo Leão and Gabriel Gomes (of Madredeus fame). She regularly works with actors and with improvised music for poetry.
Since 2013, Sandra has been a co-leader of her own project Caixa de Pandora, an eclectic trio including violin, piano and vocals, one of the leading instrumental ensembles in Portugal today. The group has a classical sensibility both in performance and on their recordings, with a theatrical, cabaret persona always integral to the music. The group has released three albums and collaborates regularly with international artists throughout Europe. Sandra is currently the cellist in Júlio Pereira’s renowned, award winning quartet. She also loves playing music to animals.
LEO TRAVERSA (electric bass) is one of the most versatile and proficient bassists on the World scene today. A graduate of The Berklee College of Music in Boston, Leo is also well known as a clinician and instructor.
Leo has performed and recorded with a wide range of internationally known artists including Angelique Kidjo, Michael Brecker, Larry Harlow, David Krakauer, Don Byron, John Pizzarelli, Ruben Blades, Eliane Elias, Randy Brecker, Ben E. King, Astrud Gilberto, Joyce, Cesar Camargo Mariano, Claudio Roditi, Toninho Horta, Phil Woods, Dianne Reeves, Milton Nascimento, Aster Aweke and many others. Leo has authored two instructional books for Carl Fischer Publications entitled, Afro Caribbean and Brazilian Rhythms for Bass, and Fusion: A Study in Contemporary Music for the Bass, and Five Concepts in World Rhythms. As a Teaching Artist with Carnegie Hall’s Musical Connections Program Leo takes part in community outreach events, concerts and songwriting workshops at senior centers, high schools, juvenile homes, and prisons.
Leo has appeared in the Jonathan Demme film Married to the Mob and in Paul Auster’s Lulu on the Bridge and in the Broadway productions of Oh, Calcutta! and Beehive. In 2012, he was nominated in the Downbeat Readers Poll in the electric bass category.
ANA TERESA SANTOS (chorus) is primarily an actress, specializing in live theatre, also appearing on Portuguese TV soap operas and in film. She is an ardent advocate of the work of Samuel Beckett. Ana Teresa leads the chorus on Os Índios da meia Praia and Ao Longo de um Claro Rio de Agua Doce.
SUSAN’S COLLEAGUES FROM LISBOA ÍNTIMA
CARLOS DO CARMO (vocal) received the 2014 Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the only Portuguese musician to receive such an award. Carlos and his family – especially the incomparable, late Lucilla do Carmo - are historic figures in the Portuguese musical lexicon known as Fado. After more than 40 years of recording and performing, Carlos remains in fine form, back on the concert circuit as we move through 2018. The seeds for Lisboa Intíma were planted during a meeting with Richard and Carlos in New York City in the fall of 2014 at the introduction of Ivan Lins. Susan’s alto flute solo interlude of Um Homem na Cidade is in homage to Carlos and perhaps his most famous recording by the same name. Fado Ultramar, a tune Ivan composed for Carlos in 1983, is the first and only duet recording of Carlos and Ivan, a highlight of Lisboa Intíma.
Carlos made his New York City debut in the Spring of 2018 at Town Hall at the young age of 77 and is singing better than ever today.
IVAN LINS (vocal, piano), who graced Susan’s Elegante, is Brazil’s most recorded and best-known living composer both in Brazil and Internationally, a multi-Grammy winner.
His music has been heard on recordings of Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Manhattan Transfer, George Benson, Dionne Warwick Lee Ritenour, Dave Grusin, Diane Shuur, Patti Austin, Toots Thielemans, Take 6, Barbra Streisand, Carlos do Carmo, Michael Bublé, Jane Monheit, Sting and many others. Ivan now resides mostly in Lisboa (Belêm), and after 50 years in the business, he is as active as ever. He appears with Susan on his compositions Fado Ultramar and Iluminados.
JÚLIO PEREIRA (cavaquinho) is the leading proponent of the cavaquinho in Portugal, perhaps all the world, a virtuoso of the highest order. Júlio’s career dates back to before the Carnation Revolution when he performed with Zeca Afonso and others who protested the long ruling dictatorship. He has performed with Basque trixitrixa master Kepa Junkera and with the Chieftains on their Grammy winning Santiago. His composition Ler Devagar opens Lisboa Intíma with an upbeat flavor. The interplay between Júlio’s Cavaquinho and Susan’s Flute is a joy.
Julio also curates the Cavaquinho Museum in Lisboa, a must to visit for fans of the instrument. Known to many as the ukulele, the cavaquinho was invented in Madeira in the late 18th century, when it was called a machete, eventually exported to Hawaii by Portuguese craftsmen.