By Claudia Annoni-Monzon, La Prensa

Brazilian singer-songwriter legend Gilberto Gil appears in an exclusive Midwest performance on Friday, March 16, 2007, at 8:00 pm at Ann Arbor Hill Auditorium, hosted by The University Musical Society.

Gilberto Gil has developed one of the most renowned careers in Brazilian music—as a singer, composer, and guitar-player, spanning over 40 years, 30 albums (including 12 gold records and five platinum albums), seven Grammy awards, and more than 4 million records sold.

Gil started as a bossa nova musician, incorporating and blending African and North American influences into his music. With fellow musician Caetano Veloso, Gil created the tropicalismo movement, or tropicalia. Deeply critical on political and moral issues, with nothing off limits, they confronted social inequity, racism, science, religion, and other cultural concerns.

Because of the impact of his music and lyrics, tropicalismo was repressed by the authoritarian regime, in power in Brazil at the time. Both Gil and Veloso were imprisoned by Brazilian authorities in 1969 for their “anti-government” activities.

Upon their release, both were exiled to London, where Gil collaborated with groups like Yes, Pink Floyd, and the Incredible String Band.

In the early 1990s, back in Brazil, Gil was selected as a government officer in his hometown of Salvador. In 2003, new Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva chose Gil as his Minister of Culture. Recently, Gil has enacted a bill that treats drug addiction as a public health concern rather than a criminal matter.

A unique composer with immense talent, Gil is a musical ambassador, empowered by firm cultural conviction. For more background go to his Website at: www.gilbertogil.com.br  

For tickets call 1-734-764-2538 or 1-800-221-1229 or visit www.ums.org