JOBIM: Tribute to the King of Bossa Nova

Live at Will Rogers Auditorium | May 17, 2026 • Tulsa, Oklahoma

A vibrant 90-minute musical celebration honoring the legendary Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, the visionary who brought Bossa Nova to the world.

Step into the "crown jewel" of Tulsa for an unforgettable 90-minute journey to the heart of Brazil. JOBIM is more than a concert—it is an immersive multimedia experience blending live music, rich narration, and captivating visuals to celebrate the genius of Antônio Carlos Jobim. From the iconic "The Girl from Ipanema" to deep-cut masterpieces, you’ll experience the unmistakable rhythm that changed the world of music forever.

Presented by the Will Rogers Stage Foundation, this special production offers a rare chance to step inside the historic 1939 Art Deco auditorium of Will Rogers High School. Join us for a safe, sophisticated, and soul-stirring evening that honors a global legend while supporting some of Tulsa’s top musical talent.

 

Bossa Nova Hits Tulsa: Immersive Musical Tribute to Antônio Carlos Jobim Coming to Historic Will Rogers Stage

TULSA, OK — Experience the heartbeat of Brazil in a vibrant, 90-minute musical tribute to the legendary Antônio Carlos Jobim, the man who brought Bossa Nova to the world. This immersive production will take place on Sunday, May 17, at 3:00 PM at the historic Will Rogers Auditorium, located at 3909 East 5th Place (Will Rogers Boulevard).

The show blends iconic melodies with rich narration and captivating multimedia to bring Jobim’s story and unmistakable rhythm to life.

The production is anchored by three of Oklahoma's most recognizable and talented figures:

Meet the Featured Artists

Ana Berry

ANA BERRY

Ana Berry (Vocalist)

A Tulsa-born powerhouse, Ana is an internationally recognized TV host, journalist, and singer with a BFA from The Theatre School at DePaul University. After a thriving career in Los Angeles and NYC, she returned home to create the band Bossa, bringing her deep passion for Brazilian rhythms to the center stage.

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Alan Crone (1)

Alan Crone

Alan Crone (Emcee)

Best known as the trusted meteorologist from News On 6, Alan is a decorated broadcaster and a lifelong musician with a profound knowledge of musical history. His calm, engaging storytelling will guide you through the "behind-the-music" moments of Jobim’s life, making the legendary composer’s story personal and powerful.

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Brad Henderson

Brad Henderson

Brad Henderson (Music Director)

An elite arranger and producer, Brad has traveled the world with Up With People, performing alongside the Boston Pops and the Belgian National Symphony. A Master of Music in composition, he has served as the musical director for the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and currently leads the Oklahoma Baptist Symphony.

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Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind cultural celebration!

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Proceeds from this performance fund improvements for the historic Will Rogers Stage and provide unique educational opportunities for local students.

An Elite Musical Ensemble

The performance features a special guest appearance by Nick Mancini, an award-winning vibraphonist, 2015 Drum Magazine Reader’s Poll Best Jazz Percussionist, and University of Tulsa professor who has recorded with luminaries such as Herb Alpert and Arturo Sandoval.

Nick Mancini

Nick Mancini
Michael-Bremo

Michael Bremo

Michael Bremo is a drummer and percussionist whose work is deeply influenced by world music. A Codarts Conservatory and University of Central Oklahoma alumnus, he brings a refined, melodic approach to rhythm that honors the subtlety, groove, and elegance at the heart of Jobim’s compositions.

Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Michael performs regularly across jazz and world music settings, blending sensitivity, deep time, and musical conversation to support the music. His playing in this tribute reflects a commitment to tradition, listening, and the quiet power of groove found in the compositions of Jobim.

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Randywimer

Randy Wimer

Randy Wimer has been an active teacher and performer in Tulsa since the early 1970s. He has taught guitar at the University of Tulsa, Northeastern State University and Tulsa Community College. An avid student of music as well as teacher, he has studied jazz guitar with Pat Kelley, Johnny Smith, Larry Coryell and Gene Bertoncini. Classical lessons have come from Ron Radford, Scott Tennant and Doug Niedt. Randy’s students have gone on to teach at Florida International University, Iowa State, Louisiana State and North Texas State University.

His love for classical and jazz combine in Randy’s playing to create a unique, approach to guitar, whether he’s playing a jazz standard, a pop tune or reimagining a piece of classical guitar music. Randy has provided solo guitar for parties, receptions, weddings as well as long standing brunch jobs at Tulsa Country Club and Philbrook. He works extensively as an accompanist to some of Tulsa’s finest singers including Janet Rutland, Cynthia Simmons, Pam Crosby and others.

Randy is guitarist for the Signature Symphony Pops concerts and has played in the orchestras for “Chicago”, “Lion King”, “Spamalot” and many others at the PAC.

Website: wimerguitar.com

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Tommy Poole

Tommy Poole

Tommy Poole is Director of Jazz Studies and Associate Professor of Music at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK. He is an active saxophonist in a variety of genres. He has performed at countless national and international conferences and jazz festivals including the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference, the Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival, and the Jazz Education Network Annual Conference.

Poole's arrangements/compositions have been featured on at least eight CDs. His latest five jazz albums as producer received critical acclaim from All About Jazz, JazzEd Magazine, and JazzTimes Magazine. Poole's latest produced album, Angular Tuesday (2024), featured the Oklahoma State University Jazz Orchestra and was selected by All About Jazz writer, Jack Bowers as one of the top twenty-five jazz albums for 2024.

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1773346088_Elizabeth

Elizabeth Ann Potts

Elizabeth Ann Potts is on the adjunct faculty at The University of Tulsa teaching applied flute lessons and all ear training courses. She earned her Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of North Texas and also holds degrees from the University of Oklahoma and Wheaton College Conservatory. Dr. Potts performs throughout Texas and Oklahoma as a guest artist and clinician and regularly performs with Tulsa Symphony, Bartlesville Symphony, Fort Smith Symphony, Signature Symphony, and Enid Symphony orchestras. She maintains a private studio of students from Bixby, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Bartlesville, and Wagoner Public Schools. Elizabeth can be heard on albums including Louis Wayne Ballard featuring the Fort Smith Symphony, The Chorale Music of Patti Drennan, and Aaron Lazar’s Impossible Dream featuring over 75 Broadway artists. When not in the studio, Dr. Potts loves spending time with her husband, Congressman Eli Potts of the Osage Nation, and their daughters Elinor and Eliza.

Elizabeth A. Potts, DMA
Adjunct Instructor of Music
Applied Flute and Ear Training
University of Tulsa
817-247-2090

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See These Performers Live

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News Release

Tribute to the King of Bossa Nova’ set for May 17

From Staff Reports

The nonprofit Will Rogers Stage Foundation is presenting a “Tribute to the King of Bossa Nova” next month at the historic Art Deco auditorium at Will Rogers High School.

The 90-minute concert honors the legacy of Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, known for “The Girl From Ipanema.” The classic song written in 1962, with Portuguese lyrics by Vinicius de Moraes, was inspired by model Helo Pinheiro.

The audience can expect “an immersive multimedia experience blending live music, rich narration and captivating visuals,” according to publicity information.

Nick Mancini, an award-winning jazz percussionist and University of Tulsa professor, will make a special guest appearance. Mancini has recorded with artists including Herb Alpert and Arturo Sandoval.

Featured artists for the performance include Tulsa native Ana Berry and Oklahoma Baptist Symphony conductor Brad Henderson. Performers include Michael Brempo, Randy Wimmer, Tommy Poole and Elizabeth Ann Potts. Alan Crone is serving as emcee.

The production is set for 3 p.m. Sunday, May 17 at 3909 East Fifth Place (Will Rogers Blvd). For more information and to buy tickets, go to willrogersstage.com/jobim.