Puerto Vallarta Welcomes Cello-Voci

The last day of the year and I have two key things on my agenda – buy broccoli and see my doctor at IMSS. Just to order annual blood work; I am a few months overdue.

I have said this before – if you want to fill every seat in your venue, bring in Effie Passero also known by her real name, Francesca Bavaro. She is away from Vallarta a lot lately since she was scooped up by Postmodern Jukebox, and is heading to Australia with them in 2025 to perform at the Sydney Opera House, then to England at Covent Garden.

For now, she is home with us and is sharing her voice and piano skills with Branden and James, tenor and cellist, respectively (and both also play piano), in the new group they have formed called CelloVoci. They are playing on January 04 at Casita & Garden – which is already sold out but have added another performance a week later on the 11th. These are fundraisers for the Vallarta Girls School, co-created by Francie Nguyen, owner of Casita & Garden and Bonito Kitchen & Bar(s).

Cello-Voci debuted in Vallarta last weekend at The Palm Cabaret and Bar with a talented ensemble including cello, piano, ‘Mimi’ on guitar, a bass player, percussionist, and voci – voices.

Prior to The Palm, Cello-Voci premiered October 17th at Carnegie Hall! The photograph of the trio with the stunning backdrop of that amazing ceiling/room was breathtaking as was their performance here.

Their finale at The Palm was precisely a recreation of Canegie Hall’s, just the three of them, Effie at the piano, James on cello, and Branden’s golden voice sang Effie’s closing number to every solo concert – a mash up of You are My Sunshine and Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

The standing ovation was instant and prolonged and recurred after their encore.

Each of these artists is a star in their own right, and the three of them together are a sparkling constellation called Perfection.