Gigi MacLaughlin Brazilian Percussionist & Vocalist
	ABOUT GIGI	Gigi was born in Pernambuco, Brazil, and grew up in João Pessoa, Paraiba, where she studied classical music and played the piano. She also plays a full array of Brazilian percussion instruments and sings. Gigi came to the US in 1992 and began working as a musician with guitarist Richard Miller in 1994. Her band now consists of several talented musicians and plays a wide range of Brazilian musical styles, including bossa nova, samba, baião, forró, choros, and frevos (carnaval songs).
	MUSIC OF BRAZIL	Since the early hits of choros like Tico Tico no fubá, sambas like Aquarela do Brasil ("Brazil"), and the explosion of bossa nova, Brazilian music has captivated the world.  The sensuality of its rhythms, the richness of its harmonies, the expressive contours of its melodies, and the lyricism of its poetry combine in an art form that is at once sublime and immediately accessible. Gigi expresses this rich repertoire with the same entrancing energy that created it. With her rich voice and the playful rhythms on her atabaque, she explores the world of Brazilian music from its earliest choros to its most recent expressions in the music of Guinga, Chico Buarque, Tom Jobim, Sivuca, João Bosco, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, and many others. An evening with Gigi transports the listener to Brazil.
	APPEARANCES	Gigi is a regular performer in the Washington, DC, area.
	SPECIAL EVENTS	Looking for authentic Brazilian music for your function? Gigi performs at weddings, private parties, and concerts. (Demo CD is available.) Contact her for more information. Click the Play button to hear a sample of Gigi's music
	LINKS	Pandeiro Richard Miller
	CONTACT GIGI	gigibaiao@comcast.net (703) 476-9394 (home) (301) 523-3988 (cell)