Sergio Mendes and Sheila E. Ring in the New Year with Two Performances at Walt Disney Concert Hall Tonight

Multi-Grammy-winning producer, composer, keyboardist and vocalist Sergio Mendes and Emmy- and Grammy-nominated singer and percussionist Sheila E., joined by Brazilian dancers, will ring in the New Year at Walt Disney Concert Hall with two performances tonight, December 31, 2013, at 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

"Having just played an exhilarating show at the Hollywood Bowl, I am excited to share the Walt Disney Concert Hall stage with the incredibly talented Sheila E. for this event," remarks Mendes.

One of the most internationally successful Brazilian artists of all time, Sergio Mendes has recorded more than 35 albums, many of which have gone gold or platinum, and is a three-time Grammy winner. In 2012, Mendes received his first Oscar nomination in the music category for "Real In Rio" from the animated 3-D feature film "Rio."

Mendes started his career with 1961's Dance Moderno and the groups Bossa Rio and the Sergio Mendes Trio. From the mid-1960s to the late '70s, Mendes established his legendary status by taking numerous albums and singles to the top of the charts. But it was Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66 which sparked global stardom. Enjoying immense popularity, Mendes added soul and funk to his jazz and pop, but always with a Brazilian rhythm. In 1992 Mendes was awarded his first Grammy in the category of Best World Music for his album Brasileiro. Since then, Mendes has gone on to be honored with two Latin Grammy awards for Best Brazilian Record, Timeless (2006) and Bom Tempo (2010), which was also nominated for a 2010 Grammy award.

Emmy nominee Sheila E. picked up the drumsticks and started making music at the precocious age of three, while watching her legendary father, percussionist Pete Escovedo, rehearse. Sheila Escovedo delivered her first solo performance to a live audience two years later and has since established herself as one of the most talented percussionist/drummers and performers in the world. In the 1980's, Prince helped to catapult her to stardom with hits like "The Glamorous Life" and "Love Bizarre," plus pivotal work on other Prince-related projects.

Sheila E. became a top session and touring musician before the age of 19, performing and/or recording with George Duke, Herbie Hancock, Billy Cobham, Con Funk Shun and countless others. Soon to follow were collaborations with Marvin Gaye on his final world tour, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Gloria Estefan, Babyface, Patti LaBelle, and Steve Nicks among others. In recent years, she has served as musical director for the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, and Prince. Her producing and arranging talents have been showcased on the Latin Grammy Awards, the Academy Awards, Summer Olympics, the ALMAs, and the Image Awards.

For more information about LA Phil's Deck the Hall holiday concerts, visit LAPhil.com.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, under the vibrant leadership of Music Director Gustavo Dudamel, presents an inspiring array of music from all genres - orchestral, chamber and Baroque music, organ and celebrity recitals, new music, jazz, world music and pop - at two of L.A.'s iconic venues, Walt Disney Concert Hall (www.laphil.com) and the Hollywood Bowl (www.hollywoodbowl.com). The LA Phil's season at Walt Disney Concert Hall extends from October through May, and throughout the summer at the Hollywood Bowl. With the preeminent Los Angeles Philharmonic at the foundation of its offerings, the LA Phil aims to enrich and transform lives through music, with a robust mix of artistic, education and community programs.

Subscriptions and Create Your Own Packages are currently available. Single tickets go on saleAugust 25, 2013. Tickets can be purchased online at LAPhil.com, in person at Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office, via credit card phone order at 323.850.2000, or by calling Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000. Tickets can also be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets. For more information, please call 323.850.2000.

To post a comment, you must register and login.