Born in Italy, vocalist MARI NOBRE has lived in this country for several years. About a year ago, Nobre recorded the concert at the UCLA Jan Popper Theater captured on Live and Alive: From Gershwin to Jobim…a musical journey (Chrome Records – No Catalog Number) only 15 days after surgery for colon cancer. Her performance yields no hint of the trauma that she had just endured. Nobre’s band included her husband Leo Nobre on bass, Justo Almario on sax and flute, Daniel Szabo on piano, Angelo Metz on guitars and Sandro Feliciano on drums. The eclectic program varies with Brazilian tunes, “Chega de Saudade,” Retrato em Branco E Preto” and “Corcovado” by Jobim, and her own “Linda;” a couple of standards, “Fascinating Rhythm” and “When I Fall in Love;” a jazz classic, “Whisper Not;” and the Latin favorite “Frenesi.” She sings in English, Portuguese and Spanish, being equally effective in all languages. Her vocalizing is spirited, with a jazz feeling. This entirely captivating performance is a tribute to her talent and strength.”