Brazilian jazz at Sonoma’s Plaza Bistro on Friday night

The Plaza Bistro is offering “Jazz in the Back Room” from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday, March 11. As Três Meninas will be performing samba, bossa-nova and Brazilian jazz. Their set features original compositions and timeless Brazilian standards.

As Três Meninas features Stephanie Ozer on piano, Fabiana Passoni on vocals and Ami Molinelli on percussion.

Nu-jazz Brazilian artist Fabiana Passoni’s songs are a combination of jazz fusion with the older rhythms of Brazil such as bossa nova, baiao, and samba. Fabiana has released several singles and LPS on the smooth jazz independent charts (Top 30). Her newest EP, “Inner Bossa” was released last April and is currently on the Top 50 Smooth Jazz chart. Fabiana was awarded the 2012 Brazilian International Press Award for best Brazilian female singer living in the United States.

Ami Molinelli is a professional percussionist and educator specializing in Brazilian and Latin percussion, especially the pandeiro.  She is the co-leader of the Brazilian choro and jazz ensemble, Grupo Falso Baiano, whose first CD “Viajando: Choro e Jazz” was featured on Pandora in a special live concert and interview at Yoshi’s.

Her recording credits include theater, television and live performances with artists such as Luciana Souza, Jovino Santos-Neto, Mike Patton, George Duke, Allessandro Penezzi, Mike Marshall, Hamilton de Holanda, Teka, John Santos and Michael Spiro. 

Stephanie Ozer (pianist) performs in jazz festivals, concert venues, intimate clubs and house concerts, corporate events and weddings - in ensembles of jazz, folk, klezmer and Brazilian jazz. Stephanie’s CD, “O Começo: New Beginnings in Brazilian Jazz,” was recorded in Rio de Janeiro with Grammy winning vocalist Leny Andrade with whom she has subsequently toured. She has twice been nominated as Best Jazz Musician in the North Bay. astresmeni nas.com.