"The 40th Anniversary of MU's Winter Jazz Festival is dedicated to the memory of J.D. Folsom, founder of the Marshall Jazz Ensemble and its winter festival – one of the largest continuously running college festivals." – Dr. Edwin Bingham, Marshall University Professor of Jazz Studies

Brazilian music legend Sergio Mendes spins his remarkable magic on his newest recording, Encanto (Enchantment), which is among the maestro's most beautifully realized in his unparalleled career. The collection refines Sergio's singular blend of infectious rhythms and irresistible melodies from the great Brazilian Songbook, with his always thoroughly modern arrangements and masterful production approach. The resulting collection is a bona fide Sergio Mendes classic-- a kaleidoscopic album that underscores the maestro's ear for addictive melodies, as well as his ability to cast incredibly talented singers and musicians from all over the world.

"Every time I make a new record, it's a new adventure." explains the affable Mendes from his Los Angeles home. "My main motivation," he enthuses, "is to record wonderful songs. In the process, I enjoy sharing with the world the diversity of Brazilian music-- both in terms of rhythm and melody."

"This time, I wanted to go full circle. So I decided to begin this journey in my homeland, Brazil. I traveled to Rio and Bahia, meeting a number of old friends that I hadn't played with in quite a while. There's a very special musically creative environment in Brazil, which inspires me tremendously."

True to his desire to go back full circle, Mendes recorded four seminal Jobim compositions: a hip-hop version of "Agua De Beber" with Toninho Horta on guitar, Mendes' wife Gracinha Leporace on vocals, and the man himself showcasing his instrumental chops on a bewitching Rhodes solo; "Waters of March," which features Grammy nominated,super talented new artist Ledisi; "Somewhere In The Hills," with vocals by none other than Natalie Cole and Flugel Horn solo by great German jazz artist Till Bronner; and "Dreamer," which marks the first time that former mentor Herb Alpert actually plays the trumpet on a Sergio Mendes album, with brilliant vocals by Lani Hall, Alpert's wife and the original lead singer of Mendes' Brasil '66.

His latest CD, and first new album in eight years, Timeless (Concord Records/Starbucks Hear Music), is a collaboration with Black Eyed Peas producer/songwriter will.i.am that merges the Latin and African polyrhythms of Brazil's urban music, samba and bossa nova, with American urban music. It features some of today's biggest pop artists, including Black Eyed Peas, Erykah Badu, India.Arie, Q-Tip, Justin Timberlake, John Legend, Jill Scott, and Stevie Wonder.