Vanessa Falabella

(HUDSON, N.Y.) – A program of Brazilian pop-jazz music, featuring the international sounds of bossa nova and headlined by global music singers Cornelius Bates and Vanessa Falabella, will be the featured entertainment in a benefit concert for Animalkind, the cat rescue and adoption center in Hudson, at Club Helsinki Hudson on Friday, August 21, at 8pm.

“Diversao! A Brazilian and American Celebration of Timeless Music” features one of New York City’s top bossa nova outfits. There recent residency at the Metropolitan Room in NYC garnered rave reviews such as this one: “There are no words to describe how scrumptious to see so ambitious a project as making hot Brazilian chestnuts into firecrackers that sizzle…. The musicians are top notch, and this show is a brilliant escape.”

Cornelius Bates draws upon the soulfulness of many cultural influences, including Brazil and Africa. This charismatic singer has performed at the Blue Note in NYC and the Kennedy Center with internationally acclaimed Step Afrika! He has also been a featured vocalist with the Nanny Assis Group at Sounds of Brazil, Brazil Live, and the New York Jazz Academy Big Band. A finalist in the Metropolitan Room’s MetroStars Talent Challenge, Bates debuted “My Brazilian Romance: A Tribute to the Music of Brazil” to glowing reviews, including nomination for the MAC Best Male Debut Award. His musical influences include Nat King Cole, Johnny Hartmann, Al Jarreau, and Tony Bennett.

Vanessa Falabella is a Brazilian-born singer-songwriter who moved to NYC to pursue her singing career. She’s had rich and varied experience with vocal performance and recording, all inspired by her global roots. She has recorded with numerous famed artists, including Gato Barbieri, Philippe Saisse, Sadao Watanabe, Cyro Baptista, Jason Miles, Will Lee, Paul Peress, Eumir Deodato, Rick Braun, and Criara. She writes songs with Rob Bargad, Soli, Tony Cedras, Zooga Mallaga, Tony Cedras, Noriko Yamamoto, Solomon Siah, and others. She’s currently at work on a project about Clube da Esquina, the Brazilian movement mixing rock and roll, bossa nova, and jazz styles with Brazilian country music and classical music influences.

Tickets are available online from Animalkind, at 518-822-8643, or at Animalkind’s headquarters at 721 Warren St., Hudson. Tickets are $500 for a VIP table of 6 (with a bottle of champagne); $75 for special table seating; and $40 for general admission.

Ticket sales will benefit Animalkind’s adoption center, which rescues over 1,000 cats and dogs every year and finds them loving homes.

Call Linda Gui of Animalkind for more information: 212-771-5810 or 646-272-8365.