On March 8, 2019, Samba Laranja: the Syracuse University Brazilian Ensemble, received the 2019 Syracuse Area Music Awards (SAMMY) for Best Recording Other Styles for the recording “Guaraná.” The ensemble is led by Elisa Dekany, professor of music education, and Joshua Dekaney, adjunct faculty in the Setnor School of Music.
The album was recorded at Syracuse University in Belfer Audio Archives, Crouse College, and Newhouse School studios and features original compositions, arrangements of traditional Brazilian music, and Amerindian folktales by Elisa Dekaney, Joshua Dekaney, and Eduardo Lakschevitz. Lakschevitz was a visiting scholar and postdoc in the College of Visual and Performing Arts from 2017-2018.
Other musicians performing in the album are Syracuse University students in the undergraduate music education program and graduate music education program, as well as other areas across Syracuse University, including:
- Camille Bourland ’19
- Austin Aserian G’19
- WingChin ’19
- Hannah Cox ’19
- Elaina Palada ’20
- Nicholas Peta ’20
- Michael Fernandes ’20
- Catherine Vedilago G’19
- Kellie Krisak G’18
- Kathleen Krumbach ’19
- Elizabeth Pogact ’19
- Gabrielle Sanft ’20
- Jesse Wilhelm G’18
- Aaron Nosky G’20
This marks the third SAMMY awarded to Samba Laranja in the Best Recording Other Styles, following “Native Orange” (2011) and “Pathways” (2015).
Established in 1993, the Syracuse Area Music Awards and recognize local performers across thirteen categories for their achievements in music. Although the SAMMYs honors local artists, the hundreds of submissions are judged by a review panel constituted of industry professionals and educators from across the country.