In the decade in which they completed 50 years of career, Sérgio and Odair, already world renowned, experienced new milestones. In addition to continuing family tours and collaborative album releases, Odair performed as a soloist—an unusual experience, since despite having released solo albums, he had never stepped onstage without his brother.
They also contributed to the soundtrack of the film “Duplicity”, starring Julia Roberts and Clive Owen. And in São João da Boa Vista, they opened, alongside the family, the “Assad Festival”— an homage by the city to the artistic contribution the family had built over decades.
In 2015, they were inducted into the GFA (Guitar Foundation of America) Hall of Fame—one of the most important classical guitar institutions in the world. The honor was presented to them by their friend, guitarist and composer Kevin Callahan, at the invitation of GFA itself. This recognition definitively consolidated the duo’s place on the international stage.
That same year, they celebrated their Golden Jubilee with the album “O Clássico Violão Popular Brasileiro”. The celebration also included a tour across Brazil—an experience they had not had in decades.
In 2017, during yet another appearance at 92nd Street Y in New York, the duo once again received attention from major international outlets. Before the concert, guitarist and educator Benjamin Verdery gave a talk in which he declared: “Together, the Assad brothers transformed the landscape of classical guitar and expanded the instrument’s repertoire. Beyond being extraordinary musicians, they are two of the warmest and most generous people I have ever met. As artistic director of the 92Y Art of the Guitar series, it is an honor to celebrate their 50 years of career. The only thing we can ask is: ‘Please, Assad brothers, give us 50 more years of music!’”
Brian Head, Kevin Callahan, Sérgio and Odair.
Assad Festival, Municipal Theater of São João da Boa Vista.
