Caetano Veloso will enjoy some R&R in Rio before headlining Lollapalooza in Chile and Argentina. Then he’ll kick off his US concert tour in California before landing at O’Hare for his show at Chicago Symphony Center on April 9th.
by Scott Adams
It’s been nearly three years since Caetano Veloso felt the appreciation and applause of Chicago’s faithful. Too long for one of Brazil’s most popular performers.
Fact is, you can count the number of concerts he’s given here on the fingers of one hand.
Caetano Veloso’s Chicago story begins at Ravinia Festival. Maybe you were sitting on the lawn July 8, 1999 for his Chicagoland debut. Amazingly, this date was part of his very first US concert tour.
Caetano Veloso’s sophomore showing for the Windy City was on a chilly November night at the Chicago Theater in 2002.
And nearly three years ago, he shared the Chicago Symphony Center spotlight with Rio de Janeiro’s Teresa Cristina. He introduced us to one of Samba’s most impressive talents.
People still talk about that concert.
Best Seats For Caetano Veloso Now Available!
This year, we’ll add a new chapter to Caetano Veloso’s Chicago story when he performs with his three sons, Moreno, Tom and Zeca in support of their album, Ofertório on Tuesday, April 9th.
The Ofertório show has toured Brazil to rave reviews since last fall.
You can use this link to reserve your favorite seats for Caetano Veloso’s only Midwest concert event. It’s a wonderful opportunity for a musical meetup with friends, too.
On Stage At Chicago Symphony Center
Ranked as one of the world’s finest, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s home at Symphony Center is equally impressive.
Orchestra Hall was designed by legendary Chicago architect Daniel Burnham and completed in 1904. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places, making it a national landmark.
Plan ahead to come early on Tuesday, April 9th to savor the elegance of Burnham’s design.
The Brazilian Concerts
For more than 15 years, Chicago Symphony Center has been the place top Brazilian musicians have called home. Here are a few highlights:
In October 2004 São Paulo’s Luciana Souza performed as part of Symphony Center’s prestigious Jazz Series.
In 2008, Milton Nascimento and The Jobim Trio were featured at Symphony Center on October 17th. The Novas Bossas concert gave Chicagoans a unique opportunity to experience two generations of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s family tree: son Paulo and grandson Daniel. But the magic of that evening came from the understated drumming of Paulo Braga, who Tom Jobim has called “the best Bossa Nova drummer” of all time.
In February 2010, Eliane Elias graced the Symphony Center stage for an inspired evening of Brazilian jazz with her quartet drawing on the music of her then-current album Bossa Nova Stories. Her performance stands as one of her best Chicago shows.
A few months later, in early April 2010, Chicago Symphony Center stamped our musical passports for Gilberto Gil with famed cellist Jaques Morelenbaum (Caetano Veloso, Antonio Carlos Jobim) and son Bem Gil’s guitar play. The musical intimacy of “The String Concert” marked Gil’s Symphony Center debut.
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In April 2012, Cellist Yo-Yo Ma’s splendid ’Viva Brazil’ concert tour came to sold-out Symphony Center as part of CSO’s ‘Visiting Artists’ series, featuring the virtuoso Brazilian guitar performances of Sergio and Odair Assad. The wide-ranging set list included songs from Villa-Lobos (classical), Cesar Camargo Mariano, Egberto Gismonti (jazz), Guerra-Peixe and Piazzolla (Brazilian traditional) and Antonio Carlos Jobim (Bossa Nova).
In October 2016, the Chicago Symphony Center found its place in
Caetano Veloso’s Chicago story with the Brazilian singer’s debut (and his first Chicago visit in 14 years) featuring Rio de Janeiro’s rising Samba star, Teresa Cristina.
Then there’s this: The Brazilian jazz musician who holds the record for “most performances on the Symphony Center stage” could very well be guitarist Romero Lubambo, who has appeared with Dianne Reeves three times as part of CSO’s Jazz Series.
…and the One That Never Happened
But, perhaps the most impressive Brazilian concert ever booked for Chicago Symphony Center is the one that never occurred.
On June 21st, 2010 João Gilberto abruptly canceled his US Concert Tour, mere days before his highly-anticipated Symphony Center concert date of June 29th. It would prove to be the final opportunity for Chicago fans to see and hear a living legend, the Father of Bossa Nova.
Like Father, Like Sons
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Caetano Veloso makes his return to Chicago Symphony Center on Tuesday, April 9th with his three sons, Moreno, Tom and Zeca.
Let’s meet up to make a few musical memories.
When asked recently about the ideas behind Ofertório, Caetano Veloso summed it up as a living tribute to his mother’s memory by also dedicating it to the mothers of his sons, Andrea Gadelha (Dedé) and Paula Lavigne.
“I sing with them for what this represents of joy celebration, without considering the social sense of heritage”, Caetano said.
This latest entry in Caetano Veloso’s Chicago story promises an evening filled with favorites and a few personal picks, too. Plus, we’re sure to hear a new song from Zeca Veloso. We are told that ‘Todo Homem’ will make its Chicago debut.
And no doubt, Caetano Veloso will appreciate the irony of performing his iconic songs with his three sons, who each carry that same creative knack for music…. and individuality.
Classic Caetano.
Chicago Symphony Center Presents Caetano Veloso & Sons
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
8:00 PM
Chicago Symphony Center
220 S Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60604
Tickets by Phone:
312-294-3000
Click for tickets
