Bossa5
Meet Bossa5
Bossa5 has played at clubs, restaurants, hotels, festivals and private events in venues across the tri-state area including the New Jersey Performing Arts Center; at Manhattan's Lafayette Grill & Bar; Stone House in Warren; Logan Inn in New Hope; Village Hall in South Orange; Ryland Inn at Whitehouse Station; The Boathouse at Mercer Lake. the Priory in Newark; for the Downtown after Sundown series at Spiotta Park in South Orange (and many other public events sponsored by different towns); Hat City Kitchen in Orange; Spirito Grill in Weehawken, Dancing Goat in South Orange, Cafe' Meow in Maplewood; and Pickett's Bar in Maplewood.
Bossa5 is extremely versitile, no matter your needs. From small gatherings and private parties, to large galas or corporate events, with the ability to add percussionists, dancers and dance instructors to get your people up and moving, Bossa5 REALLY does it all! Bossa5 works with experienced professional performers and can even help you coordinate your evening of music with DJs.
The Players
Marc Ferranti (sax, flute: Founder of Bossa5): Marc's music universe includes the worlds of jazz, rock, big band, all sorts of ethnic music and performances in historic venues internationally including the Duc des Lombards in Paris, the Paradise in Boston, CBGBs in New York and Big Mama in Rome. He also currently plays with Viva Flamenco and Swing Town (www.maplewoodcommunitymusic.org/aboutus/ourensembles/swingtown.php)
Martin Leys (Guitar): Scots-born Martin has performed in a variety of guitar and bass settings at venues around the area, including frequent performances at Morrow Church, First Night and Maplewoodstock, and has lately been getting back to his early inspiration playing the music of Django Reinhardt with Trio Django. Highlights of his Scottish days include winning best in the Edinburgh International Jazz Festival, playing live radio and performing on top of an extinct Scottish volcano in the rain.
Toni Messina (Keyboard, Vocals): Multitalented founding Bossa5 member Toni also directs and performs in her own flamenco dance and music troupe, Viva Flamenco (www.vivaflamenconj.com), appearing in theaters, clubs, festivals and schools in the tristate area. She also teaches Flamenco dance.
John Lenis (Bass): John Lenis is a bassist and educator based in Jersey City. Respected as a sensitive and skilled accompanist, he has been performing and recording with artists throughout the area and around the world for 20 years. In 2009, he joined the Nobuki Takamen Group, touring Japan extensively and appearing at Montreal, Calgary, and numerous other festivals. Their CD, “Live at Iridium,” received much praise from Japanese critics and the band frequented top New York venues for several years. He is on several albums from singer/songwriter Julia Barry and also on a recent release featuring duo performances with guitarist Adam Lomeo. Since 2012, he has also performed regularly with composer/guitarist Noshir Mody as well as the Hyeseon Hong Jazz Orchestra. Both projects have new releases scheduled for 2017.
Yutaka Uchida (Drums): A highly acclaimed composer, Yutaka Uchida has been awarded COAHSI Performing Arts Award, Premier Grant Award, etc. All About Jazz gave his first CD “Living Together” a rave review and called it “easily one of the top outings of the year [2007].” Yutaka has also been contributing to the cutting edge NY music scene as a highly versatile drummer for years, known for his clear, crisp tone, rock-solid groove and innovative improvisational skills. He has toured worldwide, has appeared at some of the world class festivals and has been credited on numerous recordings.
Bossa5 also performed with the multi-talented singer and drummer Nanny Assis (www.nannyassis.com), up and coming jazz star pianist Abelita Mateus, master percussion player and head of Manhattan Samba, Ivo Araujo, the great drummer and bandleader Vanderlei Pereira (www.vanderleipereira.com), and dancer Marizete Browne.