Posted on: July 29, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0
Brazilian chanteuse Beatrice Mason recently released a sultry cover of popular 80s new wave hit “When Love Breaks Down” by the British pop rock group, Prefab Sprout. To pair with the single, Beatrice and her faithful team Maíra Knox (designer/art director) and Manuel Águas (cinematography director), filmed an artful videoclip.

Beatrice (pronounced “bee–TRESE”) and her sister Eurídice were born and raised in Rio to a mother of German descent and a father of Italian descent. Beatrice and her sister began singing at age 6 in many musical choirs, including one led by her mother. Classical music filled the family home, and both girls were encouraged to learn music theory and play musical instruments. Beatrice excelled in three keys of the wind instrument called a recorder as well as flute, led a Baroque trio and won many awards. Beatrice was also exposed to Brazilian popular music thanks to the family housekeeper, Alzira, whose radio fed her a constant diet of Roberto Carlos, Caetano Veloso, Elis Regina, Nara Leão and Maria Betânia, among many others.

At age 16, Beatrice’s father, a very serious minded man, insisted she and Eurídice pursue more standard careers so they could be financially independent.  Beatrice, fluent in English chose the field of law in which she endeavored in Brazil and the United States. While living in New York City she went to clubs and concerts to see artists as far reaching as Stanley Jordan, Sting and The Brand New Heavies. Music never ceased tugging her heart. Eventually, the stress of dealing with mergers and acquisitions got the best of her. She took a sabbatical to have a baby and found singing to be extremely cathartic during her pregnancy. First returning to her classical roots then being led into sacred music by a vocal coach, Mason found her voice to be lovelier than ever.  Her formal vocal instruction included classical lessons with Vera Canto e Mello and popular singing with Paula Santoro and Felipe Abreu.

Dipping her toes back into musical waters two years after the birth of her son, Beatrice presented a show she titled “Coração Tranqüilo” at the traditional Rio de Janeiro venue of Mistura Fina.  Uncomfortable with that program’s emphasis on Brasilian rhythms, she showcased her softer side in “Alumbramento.” Insisting upon off-the-beaten-path material she calls “b-sides,” Beatrice next dug into the fertile well of modern Brazilian composers to fill her debut album, Mosaico.

Sponsored by a Brazilian telecommunications company, Beatrice’s very own label, Lilly Blonde, took her show on the road to several major cities in Brazil garnering massive media and strong reviews, one of which reads, “…what a surprise: there is plenty of good taste in the careful choices of the lady, who presents a debut album that is classical and contemporary at the same time.” Two months after attending WOMEX 2011 (World Music Expo), Mason was invited to perform at the 2012 edition of the MIDEM, the world’s largest international trade show that takes place every year in Cannes, France. Mason played to an enthusiastic and packed house.

She also staged a tribute show to the late folk rock poet Nick Drake back in Brazil later in 2012 and 2013.  The project caught the eyes (and ears) of Billboard Brazil, the July 2013 edition brings an article on her Nick Drake project and her next solo album, and she is now planning a Nick Drake tour in Brazil.

Beatrice also has another recording project, in which she partners with her friend João Cavalcanti to sing the songs by South American composers Jorge Drexler, Vitor Ramil and Kevin Johansen.  João Cavalcanti is a very accomplished young singer/songwriter from Brasil, and the son of Lenine, one of the most popular and respected singer/songwriters in the country.

Ms. Mason has also toured and performed in France, Sweden, Germany and Dublin, in different occasions.

“I want to be a musical bridge between contemporary Brasil at its very best and the rest of the world,” Beatrice Mason promises.

Beatrice Mason is currently recording her second solo CD, to be released later in 2013. Watch the video for “When Love Breaks Down” on YouTube now:

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