Blue Note Rio Honors Women With 28 Artists in March

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For the third straight year, Blue Note Rio dedicates all of March to women: 30+ shows featuring 28 female artists, from Wanda Sá to Natascha Falcão.

A Month-Long Statement on Equity

Blue Note Rio, one of Rio de Janeiro’s most respected music venues, opens March with a clear commitment: every show this month will be headlined by women. From March 1 to 29, the Copacabana jazz club hosts 28 female acts across more than 30 performances, marking the third consecutive edition of its Women’s Month series.

Artistic curator Thais Bernardini frames the vision behind the lineup: “The choice of artists reflects the new world we want to live in, where equity is taken seriously and with respect. We seek to present a cross-section of Brazilian music that celebrates the artists who paved this triumphant road, while pointing to the future of music through the new generation of great performers.”

“The choice of artists reflects the new world we want to live in, where equity is taken seriously and with respect. We seek to present a cross-section of Brazilian music that celebrates the artists who paved this triumphant road, while pointing to the future of music through the new generation of great performers.” — Thais Bernardini, artistic curator, Blue Note Rio

Partners and Discounts

For the third year running, the UBC (Brazilian Composers Union) partners with Blue Note Rio to offer its members 50% off tickets throughout March. The WME (Womens Music Event), Brazil’s largest women-in-music event, also returns as a partner, offering a 50% discount to its registered users.

In 2025, the program earned the Selo Igual (Equal Seal), an award granted by WME to companies and festivals that demonstrate genuine commitment to gender balance in their lineups. WME co-founder and director Monique Dardenne underscores the significance: “The Selo Igual recognizes companies that commit to pursuing balance in their teams and lineups. We are enormously proud of every company, festival, and initiative in the music industry that walks alongside us, building day by day the fairer society we want to live in.”

“The Selo Igual recognizes companies that commit to pursuing balance in their teams and lineups. We are enormously proud of every company, festival, and initiative in the music industry that walks alongside us, building day by day the fairer society we want to live in.” — Monique Dardenne, co-founder and director, WME

Show by Show Highlights

The month opens on March 1 with Rê Adegas and pianist Luiz Gustavo Zago paying tribute to the landmark bossa nova album “Elis & Tom,” featuring interpretations of “Águas de Março” and “Só Tinha de Ser com Você.”

On the 4th, bossa nova legend Wanda Sá celebrates her 80th birthday with a special show featuring a new album of songs written exclusively for her, with guest musicians Flavio Mendes and Jefferson Lescowich. Later that evening, Marina Braga presents “From Billie to Badu – Jazz Ladies,” tracing the lineage from Billie Holiday to Erykah Badu.

On the 5th, Juliane Gamboa performs her debut album JAZZWOMAN, released by Biscoito Fino, a celebration of Black women’s autonomy. Following her, Tamara Salles spans from Ella Fitzgerald to Lauryn Hill in “Elas Cantam.”

The 6th brings Daíra with a tribute honoring the 80th birth anniversary of Belchior and the 10th anniversary of the project “Amar e Mudar as Coisas.” Later, Julia Landen presents jazz reimaginings of pop and MPB hits in “Jazz é Pop! – Special Women’s Edition.”

On the 7th, Taryn — actress, singer, and voice actress — pays homage to Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Elis Regina, Janis Joplin, Rita Lee, and Tina Turner, weaving between songs with readings of Clarice Lispector and Anaïs Nin. At 22h30, Duda Brack performs “Voz & Solidão” with just her voice and guitar, changing the setlist each night.

On International Women’s Day, March 8, Liz Rosa premieres “O Suingue é Delas,” honoring Elis Regina, Leny Andrade, Joyce, and Tania Maria alongside a power trio.

On the 11th, Yumi Park presents her EP “(Des)Construção,” blending the work of Edu Lobo, Vinícius de Moraes, and new-generation composers. On the 12th, Sol Pellegrini celebrates the 80th birth anniversary of Gonzaguinha, followed by Taís Feijão in “As Brasilidades de Taís Feijão,” with a special guest appearance by Natascha Falcão.

Lara Estelita premieres “Jeito Lindo” on the 13th, drawing from a catalog that has surpassed one million streams. On the 14th, Betta delivers a powerful tribute to Alanis Morissette, performing “You Oughta Know,” “Ironic,” and other anthems. The 15th brings Thaís Motta, Luiz Brasil and Naife Simões in “Brasil Pandeiro,” mixing Brazilian rhythms with reimagined versions of Gilberto Gil’s “Expresso 2222” and João Bosco and Aldir Blanc’s “O Ronco da Cuíca.”

On the 18th, Flávia Bittencourt traces a musical journey from Dominguinhos to Zé Ramalho. The 19th features Mirna Rubim premiering “Inteira,” blending music, theater, and humor with guest actor Mouhamed Harfouch, followed by Thati Moraes with “Soul Marisa Monte,” fusing Marisa Monte’s songbook with a soul aesthetic.

On the 20th, Miranda Kassin presents “Tiny Amy,” an acoustic, intimate tribute to Amy Winehouse shaped by Brazilian guitars and percussion, featuring “Rehab,” “Back to Black,” and “Valerie.” On the 21st, Alegria performs “Tribute to Sade” in two sets (8 PM and 10:30 PM), revisiting “Smooth Operator” and “Your Love Is King” with a full band.

On the 24th, Blue Note Rio welcomes German jazz singer and pianist Alma Naidu for her Brazilian debut. Winner of the BMW Welt Young Artist Jazz Award and Kurt Maas Jazz Award, she is described by European press as “one of the greatest singers on the German scene,” with a voice of “absolutely perfect intonation.”

The 25th marks the premiere of Delia Fischer‘s solo show SOLAR — piano and voice only — featuring repertoire from Milton Nascimento, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, the Beatles, and brand-new original songs. Sound design by Matias Correa, with special guests.

On the 26th, Natascha Falcão bridges northeastern Brazilian music and jazz in a minimalist format of voice and accordion, including “Anjo Querubim” — featured in the Globo soap opera “Dona de Mim” — and “Ave Mulher.” Later, Roberta Spindel premieres the title track of her show “Sempre Será,” accompanied by Gabriel Barreto and Vinny Andrade.

On the 27th, Watusi tells her own life story — from the stages before the Moulin Rouge in Paris to her current phase — in “A Minha História (Que é um ESCÂNDALO),” including a tribute to Luiz Melodia. The 28th brings Sonja with blues and soul from Brazil and the world, referencing Rita Lee, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, and Gal Costa. Closing the month on the 29th, Paola Lappicy launches her second album “Coisas que eu quis te dizer antes de tudo acabar” — a narrative built around endings.