They’ll Samba Past Usual Sounds : Justo Almario, Marcos Ariel Will Explore Different South American Rhythms

“It will be like a conversation, a creative exchange of ideas,” said Latin jazz artist Justo Almario, who performs today with Marcos Ariel at the San Juan Capistrano Regional Library. “Just piano and woodwinds. Very intimate.”

The concert by Almario, who is from Colombia, and Ariel, from Brazil, will give Orange County Latin jazz enthusiasts a taste of South American rhythms that the artists say are not commonly heard in the United States.

“It’s not the usual club setting,” said Ariel. “So we can experiment and introduce people to new things. Brazil is a rich tapestry of sounds and rhythms, but most people here have only heard samba and bossa nova. There are other rhythms to explore, such as frevo, chorinos and baion .”

The concert is part of the library’s ongoing multicultural music and visual arts performance series that began last year. “It was supposed to end after the first five concerts, but one thing led to another,” said Jose Aponte, library director. “People keep telling me about other artists they’d like to hear, and the club scene doesn’t embrace much of the rich and diverse talent in Southern California. So we are helping fill a void. “

“I’m excited about this performance because they are actually teaching people at the library to play traditional South American music on original instruments,” said Almario. “So our performance will be both entertaining and educational.”

Almario, who is a composer, saxophonist and flutist, said he first wanted to play in the United States at age 14, when he heard Cannonball Adderley perform in Colombia. He joined Afro-Cuban bandleader Mongo Santamaria’s orchestra and eventually became the band’s director. He has also performed with the Latin orchestras of Tito Puente, Machito and Frank Foster’s big band. His interest in American jazz led to a three-week East Coast tour with bassist and composer Charles Mingus.

Ariel grew up in Rio de Janeiro, listening to samba street sounds while studying classical composers. He developed an admiration for his eclectic countryman Hermeto Pascoal and for U.S. jazz artists Chick Corea and Bill Evans.

He has recorded six albums and is quite well-known in Brazil and in Europe. “I think the Europeans have opened themselves to Latin sounds in the same way they have responded to jazz,” Ariel said. “American jazz artists are much more well-known in Europe than in the U.S., and it’s the same for Latin artists.”

Almario and Ariel have both spent a considerable amount of time in Southern California. In fact, it’s where they met.

“I was performing at the Baked Potato in North Hollywood, and Marcos sat in on my set. We had a little jam session, and after that he became like family,” Almario said. “I liked his playing and knew there was a lot we could accomplish together.”

Since then, the two have joined forces on several albums and continue to perform together. Their latest album, “Rhapsody in Rio,” features Ariel on solo piano, with Almario accompanying on soprano and tenor sax on several tracks. The duo has another album due out this summer.

“I want people to hear the street sounds,” Ariel said. “In Brazil, there is music in almost everything. It’s part of daily life, and there is so much more to bring to people here, so much more.”

Marcos Ariel and Justo Almario appear today at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. at the San Juan Capistrano Regional Library, 31495 El Camino Real. Admission is free, but a $2 donation is suggested. Information: (714) 493-3984.