Borandá

(pronounced "bo-run-dah") is the newest Brazilian jazz band performing in the Boston area. The group was formed in 2003 by four talented and gifted Brazilian musicians, all of them in-demand artists and performers: Milene Corso (vocals), Mauricio Zottarelli (drums), Gustavo Assis Brasil (guitar) and José Pienasola (bass).

The group was created to fulfill a common desire to perform classic tunes from the Brazilian repertoire in a new, unique and modern way, without getting disconnected from their roots. Therefore, one can notice the group’s inventive arrangements of some of the most loved and well-known Brazilian tunes, such as Antonio Carlos Jobim’s "Wave", or Gilberto Gil and Dominguinhos’ "Lamento Sertanejo".

Due to its members’ versatility, Borandá brings a wide range of influences and musical styles to its sound, such as pop, rock, jazz, and even Afro-Cuban music. All of these characteristics are mixed together with a soulful and infectious groove, typical of the Latin and Brazilian music.

Members Biographies:

MILENE CORSO (vocals)

Milene was born in Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil. She graduated in piano at the Rio Claro Conservatory, and she also holds degrees in Architecture from University of São Paulo, and in Music (Voice) from State University of Campinas (SP). While in Brazil, she performed extensively both as a solo act, in duos and trios, and with “Madrigal Cor Da Voz” , a vocal choir which she directed and arranged for. The choir did mostly Brazilian popular music, and was notable for its unique renditions of classic Brazilian tunes. Milene also performed in the female vocal sextet “Bate Boca”, which opened for and performed with important artists in Brazil, including singer Ná Ozzetti.
On the web: http://www.milenecorso.hpg.com.br

GUSTAVO ASSIS BRASIL (guitar)

Gustavo was born in Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. He attended the Federal University of Santa Maria to get his bachelor in classical guitar in 1995. During that time, he worked as a studio musician, private teacher and performer. In 1995 Gustavo was featured on Guitar Player Magazine -USA (Spotlight session). In 1999 he received a full scholarship to get his Master Degree In Jazz at Berklee College of Music and The Boston Conservatory. He has performed with Nocet, Bicho Folha, Borandá, Brett Wilmott, Tony Gaboury, Matthew Nicholl, Tim Ries, Renato Pereira, José Pienasola, among others. Gustavo is currently the director of the Jazz and Contemporary Music Department of the Cambridge School of Weston.
On the web: http://www.gustavoassisbrasil.com

MAURICIO ZOTTARELLI (drums)

Coming from a musical family, Mauricio was born in Santos, SP, Brazil, and moved to Rio Claro-SP a couple of years later. He started playing percussion at a very early age, and moved to drumset while still in his teens. During a 5 year period when he completed a degree in Computer's Science, he continuously worked with many bands and acts around his area, being exposed to numerous musical situations and different music styles. After his college graduation in 1997, Mauricio worked actively as a studio and live performer in Brazil. In 1999, after an audition at the Souza Lima Conservatory in São Paulo, he received a scholarship award from Berklee College of Music, where he recently graduated in Professional Music, with emphasis in Performance, Film Scoring and Arranging. Mauricio has performed with the Marc Rossi Group, Matthew Nicholl, the Dan Moretti trio, Sal DiFusco trio, the Matt Chase Group, Sarah Brindell, Tim Ries, Greg Hopkins, Himen Blues, Altemar Dutra Jr., among others.
On the web: http://www.mzdrums.com

JOSÉ PIENASOLA (bass)



José comes from São Roque, São Paulo, Brazil. In 1992, he was awarded a full professional scholarship to the Berklee College of Music, and has been living in Boston (U.S.) ever since. In 1993 he received an Outstanding Performance award at the Cambridge Jazz Festival. José has played and recorded with some of the finest Brazilian and American musicians, including: Robin Eubanks, Kevin Magohany, Hendrik Meurkens , Bob Mintzer, Mike Turk, Helio Alves, Duduka da Fonseca, Garrison Fewell, Paulo Braga, Pery Ribeiro, Ney Matogrosso, Leny Andrade, Johnny Alf, Elba Ramalho, Djavan and Gal Costa, to name a few.