TICKETS | 7PM | Doors @ 6:30PM
The Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center presents an exceptional musical pairing featuring Olli Soikkeli and Cesar Garabini, two internationally acclaimed guitarists whose artistry bridges continents, traditions, and musical languages. Chorinho and Gypsy jazz are a natural and powerful match. Both emerged in the early twentieth century, shaped by urban life, European classical harmony, African rhythms, popular dance music, and the rise of recorded sound. Both styles are highly sophisticated while remaining deeply connected to their folk roots. Over time, melodies and ideas have crossed freely between the two worlds, with compositions traveling from Brazilian choro circles to the Parisian gypsy jazz tradition and back again. Born in Nurmes, Finland and now based in New York City, Olli Soikkeli was drawn early to the music of Django Reinhardt, which has remained the foundation of his musical life. Known for his extraordinary technical command, fluid swing, and lyrical phrasing, Soikkeli has performed at major jazz clubs and festivals throughout Europe and the United States. Since relocating to New York, his appearances have included Town Hall, Herbst Theatre, Birdland Jazz Club, Blue Note, Iridium, and Lincoln Center, placing him firmly among the leading voices in contemporary gypsy jazz. Born in Minas Gerais, Brazil, Cesar Garabini is a master of the seven-string guitar and a foremost interpreter of choro, the foundational Brazilian style that later gave rise to samba and bossa nova. Now based in New York, Garabini has performed at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Jazz Standard, Birdland, Columbia University, the Museum of Modern Art, and held a long running residency at Barbes. His collaborators include Anat Cohen, Tim Connell, and Olli Soikkeli, and his work has been featured on NPR, NBC, and international broadcast outlets. Together, Soikkeli and Garabini create a musical conversation that is virtuosic, spontaneous, and deeply human. This is not a novelty crossover, but a meeting of two master musicians speaking closely related dialects of a shared musical language. Expect breathtaking interplay, rhythmic fire, melodic beauty, and moments of discovery that can only happen in a live setting. This concert offers a rare opportunity to experience world class musicianship up close, performed not as an academic exercise, but as living, breathing music meant to move, surprise, and delight. Whether you come from a jazz background, a classical ear, or simply a love of great live performance, this is an evening of musical exploration not to be missed.
The Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center located at 235 Forest Avenue
Check out our calendar at www.LBCulturalArtsCenter.org LBCAC has installed a Patriot Air Purification System Grant funding was made possible by the lodging establishments and the City of Laguna Beach.
