New York (New York), USA - Brazilian singer-guitarist, Badi Assad (pronounced Bah-Jee Ah-Sahje) will be releasing her first solo album in six years, Verde. Scheduled for release in September 13, 2005, Verde is her debut on the Deutsche Grammophon imprint eDGe Music September 15th. Assad goes beyond the traditional styles of Brazilian music by using influences and ethnic sounds from all over the world.

The album contains 17 tracks including covers of U2's "One" and Bjork's "Bachelorette," making them unmistakably her own using a combination of vocals, guitar and her unique touch of rhythmic mouth and body percussion. North American fans will be able to watch her live this fall when she kicks off her U.S. tour in support of her new CD. The title Verde (Green) alludes to the myriad shades of green of the Brazilian rain forest.

Badi displays variety in her music by setting no stylistic boundaries. She not only works with the immense wealth and heritage of Brazilian styles and rhythms, but also taps into the resources of jazz, classical, as well as contemporary pop and rock. With this new release, Assad is making it clear that she one of the most interesting and original guitar-playing Brazilian singers and songwriters of her generation.

Several great musicians contributed their musical talents to help Badi's vision come to life including; Brazilian icon Toquinho (best known for his collaboration with bossa poet Vinicius de Moraes) on the guitar duet "Implorando (Begging)" and her nieces Carline and Clarice help with vocals on "Viola Meu Bern (Guitar My Love)." Jeff Young co-wrote "The Being Between (or "Daruma") and "Nao Adianta (It's No Use)." Stand- out tracks "Basica (In My Little White Top") and "Voce Nao Entendeu Nada (You Didn't Get It)" show Badi's sultry, sexy side while "Nao Adianta (It's No Use)" and "Asa Branca (White Wing)" are playful and upbeat with the use of mouth and body percussion.

Fall Tour Dates Announced:

August 3 Sonoma County Fair Sonoma, CA

September 21 Chicago Cultural Center Chicago, IL

September 25 Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA

October 1 Montreal, Canada Venue TBA

October 2 Toronto, Canada Venue TBA

October 5 Boston, MA Venue TBA

October 6 Emory University Atlanta, GA

October 7 Clarice Smith University Baltimore, MD

October 9 Joe's Pub New York, NY

[Photo credit © Fernando Velázquez / DG].