Spring brings momentum to the Community Concert Hall, inviting discovery and connection. This April, that spirit is front and center as we welcome two extraordinary artists whose work is rooted in tradition yet driven by curiosity, joy and fearless individuality.
When Brazil Beyond Samba arrives April 17, expect a high-energy concert that honors samba while opening the door to Brazil’s broader musical landscape. Created by Brazilian vocalist and composer Caro Pierotto in collaboration with the California-based instrumental quartet Farofa, the project celebrates samba while intentionally moving beyond it. The ensemble brings together forró, baião, bossa nova, MPB (Música Popular Brasileira), Afro-Brazilian rhythms, jazz and contemporary original works into a vibrant concert experience.
Brazil Beyond Samba features Pierotto’s expressive voice and songwriting, deeply rooted in Brazilian traditions while embracing jazz textures and global influences. She performs in Portuguese, Spanish and English, writes original material, and has gained international attention for her recordings and distinctive artistic voice. Farofa complements that vision with high-energy performances marked by technical virtuosity, rhythmic drive and genre-blending arrangements that fuse Afro-Brazilian rhythms with jazz, pop and original compositions. Together, they create an energy-filled concert that celebrates Brazil’s musical depth while speaking fluently to international audiences.
On April 28, the spotlight turns to Kelly Willis, one of the most influential voices in Americana and alt-country music. Raised in a military family and shaped by life on the move, she found her artistic home in Austin, Texas, a city that helped refine her sound and solidify her artistic identity. There, she forged a style defined by honky-tonk grit, rockabilly swagger and emotional clarity, standing out early within a fiercely independent musical community.
Her breakthrough album, “What I Deserve,” remains a touchstone of the genre, praised for its independence, strength and soul-deep songwriting. The record helped cement Willis as a cornerstone of the Americana movement and affirmed her place in Austin’s musical lineage. In recognition of her impact, the city inducted her into the Austin Music Hall of Fame, honoring a body of work that continues to shape Texas and American roots music. What sets Willis apart is her clear, powerful, emotionally unguarded voice. She delivers heartbreak and joy with conviction, balancing toughness and tenderness.
Opening the evening is Emily Scott Robinson, a rising Americana songwriter whose luminous soprano and compassionate storytelling have earned national recognition. Her songs are rooted in empathy and resilience, with an emotionally honest sound that has drawn praise from NPR and Rolling Stone and led to releases on John Prine’s Oh Boy Records.
Looking ahead, May at the Concert Hall means hosting many of our local performing arts organizations, preparing for our 2026-27 Performing Arts Season, and gearing up for Concert Hall at the Park, our free summer concert series. Concerts kick off June 25 and take place 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Thursday through Aug. 6. More to come about the bands and the season ahead in my May column.
Tickets and information are available at DurangoConcerts.com or through the Community Concert Hall Box Office, noon to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, at 247-7657.
Ticketing reminder: Always purchase tickets through DurangoConcerts.com to ensure authenticity and fair pricing. Beware of third-party resellers. For assistance, contact the Box Office at the number above.
Charles Leslie is director of the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College.
