Assads’ harmonic convergence

There was never any doubt that the music would be world class in the Assad family concert Friday night at the Cerritos Center. After all, the stars of the Brazilian family are the Assad Brothers, a universally praised classical guitar duo, and Badi Assad, an utterly unique singer-guitarist.

What actually developed at the program, however, was far more unexpected. Despite virtuosic performances by Sergio and Odair Assad, and an imaginative combination of humming, singing, mouth percussion and guitar playing from Badi Assad, the show was virtually stolen from beneath their noses by their parents: 73-year-old singer Angelina (Ica) Assad and 79-year-old mandolinist Jorge Assad.

Arriving onstage somewhat tentatively in the program’s second half, the parental couple played and sang a group of choros and sambas from the ‘30s and ‘40s. Angelina Assad’s fragile-toned but strongly articulate voice was marvelously affecting -- a kind of Brazilian Billie Holiday -- while Jorge Assad’s lively mandolin echoed with references to such choro greats as Jacob do Bandolim.

The high quality of the couple’s singing and playing seemed all the more remarkable when Sergio Assad explained that neither had ever been a professional, appeared on a public stage or traveled outside of Brazil. It wasn’t surprising when Badi Assad added that hearing her parents perform brought tears to her eyes.

There was also another group of Assads on the bill -- singer Carolina Assad (Odair Assad’s daughter), and singer-guitarist Rodrigo Assad and singer-pianist Clarice Assad (children of Sergio Assad). The flow of talent did not diminish with this third generation, each of whom displayed impressive potential: Clarice Assad’s mobile voice and compositional skills; Carolina Assad’s warm-toned vocalizing; Rodrigo Assad’s rhythmic drive and brawny sound.

The best aspect of the program was its remarkable sense of creative intimacy, of three talented generations enjoying the rare opportunity to make music together.