Ivan Lins

Ivan Guimarães Lins (b. June 16, 1945) is a Brazilian musician. He has been an active performer and songwriter of Brazilian popular music (MPB) and jazz for over 30 years. His first hit, "Madalena", was recorded by Elis Regina in 1970. Beyond his own performance of his compositions, Simone is his most notable and respected interpreter.

Testifying to Lins' importance as a composer is the frequency with which tribute albums and new covers of his compositions appear. His jazz classics have been recorded by many notable international artists including Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Barbra Streisand, Quincy Jones, George Benson, The Manhattan Transfer, Diane Schuur, Carmen McRae, Nancy Wilson, Eliane Elias, Patti Austin, Toots Thielemans, Take 6, Lee Ritenour, David Benoit, Carlos do Carmo, Mark Murphy, Dave Grusin, Sérgio Mendes, Michael Bublé and countless others.

Life

Ivan Lins was born in Rio de Janeiro. He spent several years in Boston, Massachusetts, while his father, a Naval Engineer, continued his graduate studies at M.I.T., studied at the Military College in Rio. He later received a degree in industrial chemical engineering from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. He considered a career in volleyball before discovering his considerable musical talent.

Work

Ivan Lins has released albums regularly and even penned several standards, such as "Love Dance", "Começar de Novo" (the English version being "The Island", with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman), and "Velas Içadas", which have made their way north into the American jazz lexicon. He recorded for Reprise/Warner Bros. Records in the early 1990s.

In the mid eighties Lins recorded a jazz fusion album with Dave Grusin and Lee Ritenour titled "Harlequin". It is a critical and commercial success. Lins also composed the soundtrack for the Brazilian film "Dois Córregos".

Mention should be made of Lins' longtime composing partner, Vitor Martins. Their songs typically feature lush harmony with a distinctive jazz sensibility. One signature voicing he often employs in his own performances is the delayed addition of a #11 to a sus13 chord, or the delayed addition of a b9 to a sus13 chord.

Ivan Lins appeared as guest performer on the albums "Dois Mundos" (1998) and "Recorded in Rio" (2003) of the Dutch artist Josee Koning. Also he appeared on the album "Call Me Irresponsible" (2007) of the artist Michael Bublé.

Jazz reporter and music critic David Adler [ [http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=1691 AllAboutJazz.com] ] reported Lins’ October 2000 Carnegie Hall concert performance and tribute to him. The event corresponded with the tribute album titled "A Love Affair", released by Telarc Records. Headline performers from diverse genres participated in celebrating the man and his music on the recording and in the world-class performance hall, a noteworthy accomplishment in the history of any musician.

Lins maintains an active touring schedule, including a 2003 appearance at "The Blue Note" in New York City. In May, 2008, he returned to New York, performing with Rosa Passos at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Ivan Lins is a political artist and musical icon in his country.

Discography

* "Agora" (1970)
* "Deixa O Trem Seguir" (1971)
* "Quem Sou Eu" (1972)
* "Modo Livre" (1974)
* "Chama Acesa" (1975)
* "Somos Todos Iguais Nesta Noite" (1977)
* "Começar de novo" (1977)
* "Nos Dias de Hoje" (1978)
* "A Noite" (1979)
* "Novo Tempo" (1980)
* "Daquilo Que Eu Sei" (1981)
* "Depois dos Temporais" (1983)
* "Juntos" (1984)
* "Ivan Lins" (1986)
* "Mãos" (1987)
* "Love Dance" (1988)
* "Amar Assim" (1989)
* "Awa Yiô" (1993)
* "A Doce Presença de Ivan Lins" (1995)
* "Anjo de Mim" (1995)
* "I'm Not Alone" (1996)
* "Acervo Especial, Vol. 2" (1997)
* "Ivan Lins/Chucho Valdés/Irakere/Ao Vivo" (1996)
* "Viva Noel: Tributo a Noel Rosa Vols. 1, 2" (1997)
* "Live at MCG" (1999)
* "Dois Córregos" (1999)
* "Um Novo Tempo" (1998)
* "A Cor Do Pôr-Do-Sol" (2000)
* "Jobiniando" (2001)
* "Love Songs - A Quem Me Faz Feliz" (2002)
* "I Love Mpb - Amor" (2004)
* "Cantando Histórias" (2004)
* "Acariocando" (2006)
* "Saudades de Casa" (2007)

References

External links

* [http://brucecmoore.com/pages/ivanlins.html Live performance photographs]
* [http://www.ivanlins.com.br Official Web site]
* [http://www.glennslayden.com/ivan_lins/default.asp Selected discography]