Thalma de Freitas

A pioneer actress of color in the era of afrocentric affirmation, Thalma has become an iconic public figure in Brazil – performing in over 15 tele-novelas at Rede Globo and in the theater with directors like Augusto Boal and Michel Melamed.  As a singer she is one of the most prominent voices of her generation.  DeFreitas smooth silky mezzo-soprano and charismatic performances was, for over a decade, a highlight of the big band Orquestra Imperial.

Her songwriting and vision have lead to a wide variety of collaborations with both contemporary and legendary musicians, such as João Donato, Caetano Veloso, Gal Costa, Céu, Anelis Assumpção, Tulipa Ruiz, Felipe Catto, Quantic, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Kamasi Washington and Moses Sumney.

Living in Los Angeles since 2012, Thalma has been invited to perform her charismatic SambaJazz in venues like Blue Whale, Grand Performances, ArtPower at UCSD, Skirball Center, Union Station and UCLA's Royce Hall.

Thalma is married with hip-hop photographer Brian ‘B+’ Cross, co-founder of MOCHILLA, and she continues to grow the legacy of her father, pianist and maestro Laércio de Freitas.