Pocket Concerts (18) – Brazilian saxophonist Lucas Figueiredo Santana (born 1993) has become a striking figure on the European jazz scene since moving to Amsterdam in 2015.
He combines Brazilian traditions such as samba jazz and bossa nova with contemporary creative jazz. He has led his own ensembles, performed with leading Dutch big bands, including The Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw and the Metropole Orchestra, and shared the stage with internationally acclaimed artists.
On his latest album, Bosquejos do Brasil (released in December 2024), he showcases his compositional talent in a mix of original pieces and reinterpretations of Brazilian classics, performed with a jazz quartet and a string quartet.
Lucas was the first creator for JOC Productions (Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw) and premiered his ambitious project for large ensemble, Candomblé, a suite exploring Afro-Brazilian heritage through music and dance. He has received recognition, including the Keep an Eye Records Award and the DownBeat Magazine Small Jazz Combo Award, reflecting both his technical prowess and artistic depth.
SET LIST
1. Brigas Nunca Mais (A.C. Jobim)
2. Minha Saudade (J. Gilbert, J. Donato)
3. Samba em Preludio (B. Powell)
Digging the Archives*:
4. Vera Cruz (M. Nascimento)
5. Black Orpheus (L. Bonfá)
*Lucas Santana was inspired by hearing an arrangement of Milton Nascimento’s famous composition “Vera Cruz” by the Dutch band Batida. Batida, featuring singer Josee Koning, was a successful band from the 1980s that combined Brazilian music with jazz and funk.
