Brazilian jazz from US duo

Ross and Kettner play today

Clay Ross and Scott Kettner, two emerging jazz musicians and composers who first performed in Athens last February as US government-selected jazz ambassadors, are returning to the capital, this time to play Brazilian jazz.

Ross, a guitarist, and Kettner, a drummer and percussionist, boast lengthy careers in the field and have also collaborated extensively. Ross’s first album, last year’s «The Random Puller,» was described as «sly, subtle… playful and humorous but deeply complex» by Jammed Online. The guitarist, who turned down a scholarship from the Berklee College of Music to begin a professional career in jazz, has collaborated with acts such as Fred Wesley, Derek Trucks, Quentin Baxter, Maceo Parker, and John Scofield. More recently, he joined forces with the percussion group Beat the Donkey.

Kettner, whose musical education includes intensive training in Brazil, more recently became a member of one of the oldest existing traditional maracatu groups. Kettner has also played alongside the world-renowned Brazilian percussionist Cyro Baptista and Klezmer Brass All-Stars trumpeter Frank London.

Tonight, 8.30 p.m. at the Hellenic American Union’s Auditorium, 22 Massalias Street, Kolonaki, Athens. Free admission.