Sudamericanto

Sudamericanto’s unique brand of Latin-American music combines Brazilian jazz with South and Central American folk rhythms, taking audiences along a journey through traditions from South America and the Caribbean with a Brazilian jazz twist. The group features multi-faceted Puerto Rican vocalist/interpreter Madeleine Zayas and high-caliber Bay Area musicians/educators coming together to play fresh compositions of Brazilian Jazz tunes, in addition to original arrangements of carefully selected Latin American classics from Argentina, Chile, Perú, Venezuela, Mexico, Cuba, and Puerto Rico.

Sudamericanto draws from the sounds rooted in the traditions of AfroPeruvian landó, zamacueca, Brazilian samba, Puerto Rican bomba and guaracha, joropo venezolano, son cubano and boleros – tied together with rhythmic precision and jazzy flavors.

Madeleine Zayas - vocals and percussion
Marcos Silva - keyboard, arrangements
Michaelle Goerlitz - percussion
David Pinto - bass, arrangements

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Madeleine Zayas is a Latin American singer/interpreter and choreographer based in Oakland, CA. At age 15 she performed as a singer with internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter Wilkins in her native Puerto Rico. She has performed as a dancer in theaters and television in Puerto Rico, California, and Nevada since 1985. She was co-founder of Buena Trova Social Club with Brandon Vance in 2012 and co-artistic director of Madelina y Los Carpinteros and Duo Made y Feña since 2014. Madeleine has shared stage with Cheo Feliciano, Inti Illimani, John Santos, Holly Near and Tohnino Horta. Her love of folk music is rooted in the jibaro traditions of the mountains from Puerto Rico and her eclectic repertoire is rooted in the Nueva Canción/Nueva Trova tradition of entertaining and educating about culture and pressing social issues.

Marcos Silva is a Brazilian native multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and educator who performs worldwide. Nominated for a Grammy, he has toured with many world-renowned artists, including Paquito D’Rivera, Bud Shank, Dori Caymmi, and many others. He was musical director for Flora Purim and Airto Moreira for 23 years. Marcos has written arrangements for Dizzy Gillespie’s band and replaced Gil Evans as arranger-composer of Airto’s Spiritual Mass. He is founder and director of the Brazilian Jazz Department at California Jazz School in Berkeley.

David Pinto is a Peruvian native best-known for his work as music director, arranger, and bassist for Grammy-winner Susana Baca, Diva of Afro-Peruvian song. He was member of Peru Jazz, a group highly praised for their innovation and fusion of Peruvian roots and jazz.

Michaelle Goerlitz has been playing drums and percussion since she was eight years old. After attending college in the Midwest, she moved to San Francisco in 1980 to continue her studies, which have led to exploration of Brazilian, Afro Cuban, Venezuelan, Peruvian and Middle Eastern rhythms (plus American idioms jazz, R & B & funk). She was a founding member of two renowned & long-term projects, the Blazing Redheads and Wild Mango. Both groups blended many different styles which showcased Michaelle's versatile percussive skills.

Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door general admission; $20 for students/low-income individuals. Children under 12 are free. Advance tickets are available here, or if the show is not sold out, you may purchase your tickets at the door before the show.

Doors open 30 minutes before show time. We accept cash or Venmo only at the door.

The Back Room is an all-ages, BYOB (for those 21+) space, dedicated to (mostly) acoustic music of all kinds. You are welcome to bring your own food and beverages. The venue is ADA accessible. If you need more information or have any questions, please call us: #510-381-1997.

To join our mailing list, please click here.

Please refrain from using your phone during performances, and if you use your camera or video, please disable the flash.

Although masks are no longer required, we strongly encourage their use to keep everyone safe in our intimate space.

Thank you for your support!