Nanny Assis

{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Nanny Assis | image = Nanny+Assis.jpg | background = vocal_instrumentalist | birth_name = Rovanio Rovnny Assis | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1969|08|25|mf=y}} | birth_place = Salvador, Bahia, Brazil | genre = Bossa nova, samba, jazz, Brazilian jazz | occupations = {{flatlist| * Musician * composer * producer}} | instruments = {{flatlist| * Vocals * percussion * drums * guitar}} | years_active = 1986–present | label = {{flatlist| * Blue Toucan * In & Out * Mandacaru Records}} | website = https://www.nannyassis.com/ https://afrojobim.com/ https://www.riouphill.com/ }}

'''Rovanio Rovnny Assis''' (born August 25, 1969), known professionally as '''Nanny Assis''', is a Brazilian-American singer, percussionist, composer, producer, and guitarist based in New York City.

Assis attributes many artists from Salvador, Bahia, and Brazil more generally as his influences, including Dorival Caymmi, and Tropicália icon Gilberto Gil. He also cites Djavan, Pat Metheny, and Chet Baker for their heavy impact on his artistic approach.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nanny Assis|url=https://artistecard.com/nannyassis|access-date=December 13, 2023|website=ArtistEcard.com}}</ref>

==Early life== Assis was born in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil in 1969. When he was 7, he began participating in several children's and youth choirs and singing and playing at the churches where his father, an evangelical pastor, preached.<ref>{{cite magazine | last = Christel | first = David | date = September 2023 | title = An Ambassador For Life And Music | url = https://issuu.com/codemmagazine/docs/2023_september_issue | magazine = CODE M | access-date = January 7, 2024 }}</ref>

Assis studied linguistics and Portuguese literature at the Catholic University of Salvador.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rovanio|url=https://www.roughtrade.com/en-fr/product/nanny-assis/rovanio-2|access-date=December 13, 2023|website=RoughTrade.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=CODE M Magazine 2023 September Issue p.16-17, An Ambassador for Life and Music|url=https://issuu.com/codemmagazine/docs/2023_september_issue|access-date=January 7, 2024|website=Issuu.com|date=August 31, 2023 }}</ref>

==Career== In 1984, Assis participated in the Bahia Instrumental Festival.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nanny Assis: Double Rainbow|url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/double-rainbow-nanny-assis-blue-toucan-music-review-by-michael-p-gladstone|access-date=January 7, 2024|website=AllAboutJazz.com|date=March 24, 2007 }}</ref>

In 1993, Assis joined the Austin, Texas–based band Rolling Thunder as a percussionist. Then, in 1999, after six years of regular work in the United States, he moved to New York City.<ref>{{cite web|date=May 7, 2023|title=Singer-Percussionist-Guitarist Nanny Assis Presents A Panorama Of Brazilian & Jazz Musical Styles On 'Rovanio: The Music Of Nanny Assis,' Set For June 23 Release By In+Out Records|url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/news/singer-percussionist-guitarist-nanny-assis-presents-a-panorama-of-brazilian-and-jazz-musical-styles-on-rovanio-the-music-of-nanny-assis-set-for-june-23-release-by-inout-records/|access-date=December 13, 2023|website=AllAboutJazz.com}}</ref>

Assis continued working in multiple genres but primarily performed with jazz musicians. Some acts Assis performed alongside include Lauren Henderson, trumpeter Mark Morganelli, and keyboardist Pete Levin.

After 1999, Assis also performed across Europe, in countries including Italy, France, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and England. Assis has been featured at Queen Elizabeth Hall in London as well as Jazz Forum Arts, Birdland, Zinc Bar, Blue Note Jazz Club, SOB's, Jazz Standard, Red Rooster Harlem, and Joe's Pub in New York City.<ref>{{cite news | last = Staudter | first = Thomas | date = November 23–29, 2023 | title = Nanny Assis: Ritmo Brasileiro at Jazz Forum | work = The Gazette | location = Croton-on-Hudson, New York }}</ref>

In 2011 and 2017, Assis received the Brazilian International Press Award as "Best Singer of the Year."<ref>{{cite web|title=Brazilian International Press Awards|url=https://brazilfoundation.org/en/brazilian-international-press-awards-cast-your-vote/|access-date=December 13, 2023|website=BrazilFoundation.org|date=January 10, 2012 }}</ref> Also, in 2017, Assis received the award of Brazilian Ambassador on Music and Arts in Tokyo, Japan for his work promoting Brazilian culture in Japan, New Zealand, Cuba, Italy, Russia, Israel, Turkey, and England.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nanny Assis|url=https://www.passionmusicgroup.net/nanny-assis|access-date=December 13, 2023|website=PassionMusicGroup.net}}</ref> Additionally, Assis has composed music for theater productions such as "Rio Uphill."<ref>{{cite web|title=Rio Uphill|url=https://www.riouphill.com/|access-date=December 13, 2023|website=RioUphill.com}}</ref>

== Discography == * ''Double Rainbow'' (Blue Toucan, 2006)<ref>{{cite web|title=Nanny Assis – Double Rainbow|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/double-rainbow-mw0000560707|access-date=January 7, 2024|website=AllMusic.com}}</ref> * ''Brasilian Vibes'' (2010)<ref>{{cite web|title=Arthur Lipner & Nanny Assis – Brasilian Vibes|url=https://southernpercussion.com/product/brasilian-vibes-cd/|access-date=January 7, 2024|website=SouthernPercussion.com}}</ref> * ''Requinte Trio - Honey & Air'' (2015) * ''Rovanio'' (In & Out, 2023)<ref>{{cite web|title=Nanny Assis – Rovanio|url=https://propermusic.com/products/nannyassis-rovanio|access-date=January 7, 2024|website=ProperMusic.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=THE MUSIC OF NANNY ASSIS (JAZZ)|url=https://www.jazzmessengers.com/en/97238/the-music-of-nanny-assis|access-date=January 7, 2024|website=JazzMessengers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Shipton | first = Alyn | title = Albums: New Releases (Rovanio: The Music of Nanny Assis) | work = Jazzwise | location = UK }}</ref>

==Filmography== * 2022: ''Ron Carter: Finding the Right Notes''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/show/ron-carter-finding-right-notes/ |title=Ron Carter: Finding the Right Notes |website=PBS.org |access-date=December 13, 2023}}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [https://www.nannyassis.com/ Nanny Assis Official Website] * [https://www.capradio.org/music/jazz/2023/08/10/nanny-assis-seizes-the-moment-in-collaborative-new-release/ CAP Radio Interview] * [https://www.makingascene.org/nanny-assis-rovanio-the-music-of-nanny-assis/ Making A Scene Interview with Nanny Assis] * [http://ginalovesjazz.com/nanny-assis-rovanio/ Matthias Kirsch Review of Nanny Assis – Rovanio]

Category:American people of Brazilian descent Category:Brazilian jazz percussionists {{DEFAULTSORT:Assis, Nanny}} Category:1969 births Category:Living people Category:Musicians from Salvador, Bahia