tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30722590054366692342012-02-08T03:47:22.518-08:00enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comBlogger2311100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-20690246982952240672012-01-31T06:22:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.555-08:00

 Marco Ruviaro sent us the above flyer, more info about Choro Intensif à Paris at Marco's  website, click hereThe annual Choro workshop in Port Townsend Washington USA, at Fort Worden is scheduled at April 11 - 15. Extensive info to be found following this link Here's a video recorded last year featuring a Centrum Choro 2011 Student Band performing Jacob do Bandolim's 'Doce de Coco'Centrum Choro

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-87039195926089182132012-01-22T09:06:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.555-08:00

 The Danish-Brazilian trio, Tresafinado (Pia Kaufmanas, (flute),Torsten Borbye Nielsen (g), Afonso Corrêa (perc)) has just been on tour in Denmark for concerts and conducting workshops at the coservatory performing and informing about choro. Tresafinado was accompanied by four Brazilian aces of choro at the tour: Mauricio Carrilho (violão 7 cordas), Luciana Rabello (cavaquinho), Pedro Aragão (

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-26894383294543854752011-12-25T06:00:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.555-08:00

Several jazz musicians have been attracted by Brazilian music styles like the samba and the bossa nova, recently the Brazilian choro has also found followers among established performers of American jazz. Here we can document the inspiration drawn from choro by inserting a couple of video fragments from a jazz concert earlier this year. The well known jazzguitarist Howard Alden and his ensemble

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-68383428500544729452011-12-02T01:59:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.555-08:00

Throughout the story of choro the meeting of chorões (choro musicians) at rodas do choro (social and musical, informal sessions) has been a crucial affair to evolve and keep the music alive. The roda is the heart of choro tradition and practice involving both the experienced and amateur musician - no restrictions as to age, skin colour, sex or ability. The roda is a truly democratic union of

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-89284526603056592872011-10-22T09:01:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.556-08:00

This time just two inserted videos from YouTube for you to enjoy, if you haven't found them yourself already.The first video features Hamilton de Holande and Danilo Brito in a duo setting playing Jacob do Bandolim's 'Receita de Samba' backstage and then Ernesto Nazareth's 'Fidalgo' on stage from a live performance this summerThe second video features Dudu Maia on bandolim accompanied by Juninho

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-7561321191767030902011-09-20T03:00:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.556-08:00

Some time ago we introduced the UK-based choro ensemble, Choro Bandido, and pointed you to the first cd-release by this English choro group. Choro Bandido was established in 2008 and members of the ensemble are: Alison Hopper (violin), Dave Anthony (cavaquinho), Brian Bull (violão 7 cordas) and Mick Pyke (pandeiro and percussion). Just recently Choro Bandido has released the new cd shown above

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-16892385313195355592011-08-19T23:38:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.556-08:00

Recently the Brazilian Trio Baru released its first album under its own name, entitled Alma Brasileira. The Trio Baru was founded six years ago by three skilled Brazilian instrumentalists: Cavaquinho and guitar player Nelson Latif - acoustic guitar player João Bosco Oliveira and percussionist Rafael dos Santos. Nelson Latif ( source: nelsonlatif.com)Nelson Latif, born in Sao Paulo, was raised

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-25397782004665572052011-06-27T06:01:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.556-08:00

Brazilian Summer SessionsNelson Latif(Brazilian Cavaquinho player)Nelson Latif is a Brazilian cavaquinho player and guitarist, who lives both in Brazil and Amsterdam and pointed me to a great Roda de Samba e Choro which is scheduled as part of the Brazilian Summer Sessions during the summer season in the Bimhuis in Amsterdam, the 2nd of July, 2011. Nelson Latif forwarded a small introduction

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-72684028526041398672011-06-20T05:30:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.557-08:00

This month it has been 5 years since the Choro-Music blogspot started. Co-editor of the blog and manager of the Keepswinging Website, Hans Koert, took the initiative to start the blog and persuaded me to contribute with entries on the music, we both share a passion for: the Brazilian choro. The actual background of the blog was the dvd-release of Mika Kaurismäkki's documentary 'Brasileirinho -

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-28801006533403343362011-05-20T11:27:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.557-08:00

Choro originated in Rio de Janeiro during the late 19. Century and soon spread all over Brazil thanks to the emergency of radio and record companies documenting the evolvement of this unique Brasilian music style. Choro had its hey days during the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, when musicians and artists excelling in this kind of music were supported and encouraged by national programs of the

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-29011407525884081602011-04-21T05:38:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.557-08:00

On the 4th of September 2000 an official document of the government in Brasil announced the 23th of April as Dia Nacional do Choro, the date was chosen in honor of choro icon Alfredo da Rocha Viana Filho, better known as Pixinguinha, (April 23, 1897 - February 7, 1973). Choro Day is celebrated on Pixinguinha's birthday - not only in Brasil, but it has become a tradition all over the world where

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-42692223357859809502011-03-21T04:07:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.557-08:00

Earlier this month Ademilde Fonseca (b 1921), 'The Queen of Choro', turned 90 years old - an event that we also like to mark at this blog. Ademilde Fonseca was one of the first vocalists to actually sing choro, a remarkable contribution to this mostly instrumental genre of Brazilian music. She had her debut as a recording vocalist 1942 with "Tico-tico no fúba" - the well known composition by

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-65865610201461853232011-02-21T03:38:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.557-08:00

New cd featuring the Danish-Brasilian trio Tresafinado is a magnificent example of the vitality of contemporary choro. The Danish-Brasilian trio Tresafinado from Copenhagen is "(...) a rendezvous of three musicians: two classical musicians, flautist Pia Kaufmanas and guitarist Torsten Borbye Nielsen, and the Brazilian drummer and percussionist, Afonso Corrêa, who brings with him the wealth of

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-64945692074628796462011-02-11T08:18:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.558-08:00

More info, see www.marcoruviaro.com/Jo

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-36734341945276838062011-01-26T02:39:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.558-08:00

Garoto (Anibal Augusto Sardinha, 1915-55) was a multi-talented musician playing various fretted instruments: banjo, cavaquinho, bandolim, violão, violão tenor and hawaiian guitar contributing on numerous recordings with his always elegant fretwork both as accompaniment and as a soloist. He also composed several pieces for the various fretted instuments he mastered, among his compositions,

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-60949166143193590142010-12-26T06:21:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.558-08:00

Last year Rio de Janeiro officially was elected the host city of the 2016 Olympic Games, the event took place in Copenhagen and the picture above shows a snap-shot of the enthusiasm of the Brasilian delegation when the result was announced. The large Brasilian delegation was headed by the president of the nation - the popular Mr. Lula - and representatives and officials of the Brasilian sport

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-83793019545794159132010-11-24T04:26:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.558-08:00

The emergence and development of choro in the late 19th century was affected by three forms of Brasilian popular music: the modinha, the lundu, and the maxixe. The lundu, an early song and dance genre, and the maxixe, an instrumental dance form that arose concurrently with choro, exhibit African influences. The wildly popular maxixe made an especially strong impression with its close couples

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-10424002577409064052010-10-25T04:04:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.558-08:00

The critically acclaimed first cd by Yamandú Costa and accordionist Dominguinhos from 2007 (Biscoito Fino, BF690) has now had its follow-up, titled 'Lado B', and containing 15 tracks of wonderful music by the duo, recorded in just three days. Guitarist Yamandú Costa and Dominguinhos had only met once before teaming in studio to record their first cd, nonetheless the teamwork and mutual

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-1218811972626738752010-09-20T06:11:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.559-08:00

Choro was born in Rio de Janeiro late 19th Century and has since evolved into one of Brazil's most prominent and popular instrumental music forms. Today choro also has a significant presence outside of Brazil, in many countries there are choro clubs, concerts and rodas featuring both amateurs and professional musicians devoting their chops to choro. In the city of Turin, an important cultural

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-66499771980546534072010-09-13T00:30:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.559-08:00

To promote the present exhibition of paintings in The Brazil Series by folk/rock icon Bob Dylan the National Gallery of Denmark, Copenhagen, presents a choro concert on Sunday 19 September at 3 p. m., 2010 in co-operation with The Brazilian Embassy in Copenhagen. The concert features the choro ensemble named Choro Rio de Janeiro and participating musicians are: Marcilio Lopes (bandolim), Jayme

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-66648618587409597382010-08-13T15:52:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.559-08:00

Some weeks ago my good friend, Hans, forwarded a link to the inserted video below as a kind gesture according my birthday - enjoy this performance of a tune titled "Happy Birthday To Me"The composer of this tune is Jarmo Romppanen, who plays the bandolim in the video and is the main soloist in the trio that is officially named Nordic Choro. The Nordic Choro trio is from Finland, Scandinavia, and

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-20329618438563730052010-07-20T01:53:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.559-08:00

Returning from a break without internet and news media I learned late last night that Paulo Moura has passed away on July 12 following a cancer desease (lymphoma), 77 years of age. The sad news was announced at his official website by André Vallias the following day and since then obituaries and appraisal articles have been published both in Brazil and the rest of the world. The music world has

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-4015685754785267442010-06-16T23:06:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.559-08:00

Fred Hersch, a US jazz piano player, released last year an album that fascinated me. The album is entitled Fred Hersch plays Jobim. Although not a pure Choro album, Fred Hersch dedicated it to the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim, the great Brazilian composer. In the liner notes Fred tells that he is a great fan of chorinhos - this fascinating for Choro music is to be heard in some of the tunes -

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-58316023271635242842010-06-08T03:31:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.560-08:00

What happens when two aces of the violão sete cordas ( the acoustic seven string guitar) get together to make music? The answer to that question is the word 'magic', at least considering the contained recordings on the new cd featuring Yamandú Costa and Valter Silva, a marvellous example of preservation of the special and rare moments when mutual understanding and creative craftmanship reaches a

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-77614574134675331272010-05-15T02:17:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.560-08:00

Nailor Proveta (Nailor Aparecido Azevedo, b 1961) is a highly estimated Brasilian reed player, composer, arranger and director, who has conducted a career in Brazil both as a sought after instrumentalist and as a founder and leader of the São Paulo based big band Banda Mantiqueira excelling in updated versions of Brasilian music. Proveta has a high place among the best musicians of Brazil. He

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-8884615637705187732010-04-23T00:06:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.560-08:00

On the 4th of September 2000 an official document of the Brasilian government announced that the 23rd of April every year shall be marked as Dia Nacional do Choro - National Choro Day. The 23rd of April was deliberatly chosen in honor of Alfredo da Rocha Viana Filho - better known as Pixinguinha (April 23, 1897 - February 7, 1973), choro composer, arranger, flautist and saxophonist. Today it is

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-14715424656131449022010-04-19T10:51:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.560-08:00

If you are a guitarist excelling in choro and want to learn more about the various rhythm patterns in choro and how to accompany them on your instrument in a choro ensemble, then there is good news for you. An accomplished choro guitarist, Abdallah Harati, has prepared and uploaded several pedagogical examples on his website to teach you the right approach. - I'll insert a couple of examples

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-71198747305158419492010-04-05T05:27:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.560-08:00

In recent years the popularity of choro has spread outside Brazil, musicians worldwide have opened their ears to the spellbinding sound of this original music of Brazil and now devote their chops to learning and playing choro. - An example of this movement is the English choro ensemble, Choro Bandido, located in Surrey, UK. In 2008 Choro Bandido got together to explore Chorinho. The members of

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-14133875201063348452010-03-19T03:53:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.561-08:00

The musical legacy of João Pernambuco (1883-1947) was almost forgotten for three decades after his passing away, only a small selection of his compositions was recorded by other musicians (i.e. Dilermando Reis and Jacob do Bandolim) in the 1950s and 1960s. However, with the essential release of some of Pernambuco's choros on two LPs by Turibío Santos in 1977 and 1979 featuring magnificent

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-23385157153824799032010-02-21T05:04:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.561-08:00

João Teixeira Guimarães (- known as João Pernambuco) (1883-1947) was a self taught guitarist unable to read or write musical notation, nevertheless he composed over 100 pieces for guitar in various styles during his career, today many of them ranking among the standard repertoire for guitarists excelling in choro. João Pernambuco is generally considered the originator or founder of the guitar

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-43805076049591831662010-01-21T07:51:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.561-08:00

In 2008 was recorded a live concert featuring Yamandú Costa and Hamilton de Holanda from a performance at the Auditório Ibirapuera in São Paulo. The live recording has now been released on a cd, 'Luz da Aurora', through the Som Livre/Atracao company. I have not heard the cd yet, but judging from previews and already published reviews in Brazil it is worth waiting for in this part of the world.

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-39557388850179249352009-12-31T06:56:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.561-08:00

Ever since the music of Ernesto Nazareth (1863-1934) was introduced to an American and international public with a helping hand from Disney and Zé Carioca in cartoons of the 1940s as pointed out by Daniella Thompson in an article, it was soon swallowed up by the pop-industry outside Brazil to make it digestable for a mainstream audience devoting its tastes to light entertainment, dance and an

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-62567346240852293892009-12-07T05:40:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.561-08:00

The importance of the music of Pixinguinha (1898-1973) cannot be overestimated, his works as a musician, composer and arranger continue to inspire musicians worldwide. Choro ensembles were the first to embrace the music of Pixinguinha, which is not so strange, as Pixinguinha redefined the choro and had a lasting impact on the conception of the genre through his compositions and recorded legacy.

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-34761619765897629292009-11-03T07:05:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.562-08:00

The bandolim is a popular instrument in Brazil and has obtained a major position as a solo voice in choro thanks to great instrumentists in the tradition from Luperce Miranda to Jacob Bittencourt (aka Jacob do Bandolim), and on the contemporary scene the position of the bandolim is maintained and kept up to date by stellar performers like Armandinho, Hamilton de Holanda, Danilo Brito a.o.. Jacob

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-80118975480745960022009-10-03T03:44:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.562-08:00

The accordion is a popular instrument often used in various Brazilian music styles, notably in forró and baião, but it has also been used with success in bossa nova and choro. When national radio broadcasting of live music acts started in Brazil during the 1930, the staff of musicians often had an accordionist among its members to supply solo voice and accompaniment in interplay with string

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-35035874920129241302009-09-03T07:00:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.562-08:00

In the vast Brasilian repertoire composed for the solo violão the works of Armandinho (Armando Neves, 1902-1976) stand out as exemplary samples of music that evolve the choro in a most suitable way for the instrument and with a conception of harmony and melody reflecting both nostalgia and modernism. Like the compositions of João Pernambuco the works of Armandinho have been almost unknwon by the

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-37233914880362154052009-08-07T07:30:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.562-08:00

Next week choro societies and choro musicians in Brazil and the rest of the world will commemorate the sad fact that it is 40 years since the passing away of Jacob Pick Bittencourt, aka Jacob do Bandolim (February 14, 1918 – August 13, 1969). Like Pixinguiha, Jacob do Bandolim has become an icon in the field of choro representing the best in this Brazilian music tradition. Jacob's achievements as

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-40186981599046959252009-07-05T04:48:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.562-08:00

Towards the end of his career and short life Garoto (Anibal Augusto Sardinha, 1915-55) devoted his talents to composing music for the solo violão in between other works. Luckily, this material as performed by the artist himself has been documented through the private recordings made by Garoto's friend and admirer, Ronoel Simões, finally available on a cd issued 2006 by the German Chanterelle

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-57681945525805102972009-06-19T00:42:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.563-08:00

The Paraguayan composer and guitar virtuoso, Augustin Barrios Mangoré (1885-1944), is considered by many to be one of the greatist composers of 20th Century Latin America, although his works (- more than 300 compositions in various genres) only gained world famous recognition decades after his passing away. Thanks to the highly estimated English guitarist, John Williams, the guitar music

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-67544930203532898492009-05-31T05:51:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.563-08:00

According to several sources, Garoto (Anibal Augusto Sardinha, 1915-55) introduced the tenor guitar in Brazil. Garoto had acquired a Triolian metal body 4 string tenor guitar similar to the one shown above, manufactured by the American National Instruments company, in 1933, but he was later to use a Brasilian made instrument of the same 'family', for which he is best known from numerous

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-17296284212378905802009-05-12T14:13:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.563-08:00

Entertainment has always had a demand for danceable music. 20th Century popular music has tried to connect with this demand creating various and changing dance patterns through different music styles - tango, maxixe, ragtime, charleston and fox-trot, to name but a few. With the introduction of ragtime around 1900 a new craze among the dancing public was born in the US - the originator of classic

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-66943260656928439932009-04-17T01:20:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.563-08:00

Next week the official Choro Day ( 23. April) will be celebrated all over Brazil and in other parts of the world, where choro is an integrated musical tradition of cultural events. Choro Day is also the celebration of Pixinguinha, the 23. April this year we'll commemorate the fact that it is Pixinguinha's 112th birthday. I suggest and encourage readers of this blog to look up info in the local

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-2528474087248970392009-03-31T13:25:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.563-08:00

One of the first recordings by Garoto that fascinated me was his 1949 recording of the classic choro 'Lingua de preto' composed by Honorino Lopes (1884-1909). The composer, Honorino Lopes, is rather unknown, he died 25 years old from tuberculosis, but is remembered for this particular choro that remains a part of the choro standard repertoire. Jacob do Bandolim as well as Benedito Lacerdo

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-91401865337487379172009-03-15T08:06:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.564-08:00

Ragtime is an American music style that emerged at around the same time as choro during the late decades of the XIX. Century. There are obvious similarities between ragtime and choro, both music styles draw from European music tradition and blend with Afro rhythm into a characteristic syncopated music form that evolved in two parallel directions. Musicologists have been aware of the similarities

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-3464359347812880662009-02-28T02:28:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.564-08:00

What happens when choro musicians get together in an informal setting? They play together and exchange experience regarding their instruments and playing technique. This is not 'small talk', not even among famous and well known musicians with a stellar career. Why not? Because choro is a serious thing that has to be refined to be kept alive at its best, all the time. Keeping this virtue in mind

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-49561760832857328482009-02-11T02:34:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.564-08:00

This week Brazil is celebrating the centennial of singer, actress and moviestar, Carmen Miranda. - Maria do Carmo Miranda da Cunha was born on February 9, 1909, in Marco de Canavez, Portugal. Her familiy moved to Rio de Janeiro when she was about 2 years old. As a young woman she worked as a milliner. She was discovered at a talent show, and in 1929 she signed on with the Victor Recording

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-29637347722976864502009-01-31T11:35:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.565-08:00

Among the young generation of contemporary Brazilian artists devoting their talent and skills to choro, Danilo Brito stands out as an excellent example of a gifted musician, who knows his roots in the tradition and has contributed with splendid renditions of classic compositions by choro icons like Jacob do Bandolim, Chiquinha Gonzaga, Ernesto Nazareth and Pixinguinha as well as being a composer

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-33399553206103468192009-01-24T00:52:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.565-08:00

Love to point you to a young all-round US guitar player, who is fascinated by Brazilian music: Daniel Volovets.The tune Delicado, a Waldir Azevedo composition, has been an inspiration for hunderds of guitar players all over the world. Jo wrote about this contribution Azevedo lately. Thanks to this blog contribution I was contacted by a young guitar player Daniel Volovets, 16 years old, who sent

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-973702104867999902009-01-02T03:11:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.565-08:00

Waldir Azevedo (1923-1980) was a pioneer in exploring the cavaquinho as a solo instrument and he is considered one of the most successful choro musicians ever. He composed about 130 compositions in diverse genres, recorded extensively throughout his career and had success both in Brazil and internationally, performing in concerts and TV broadcasts worldwide. Azevedo started his solo career in

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-56115610724741932002008-12-15T02:07:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.565-08:00

I want to thanks the readers of this blog for sharing interest in the Brazilian choro, I'll continue posting new blogentries in 2009, but no longer on a weekly basis, as I have other obligations to take care of. The blog has had weekly entries since August 2006 and has by now reached a number of 180+ entries since then. It takes time to do proper research, I am not an expert, just a curious

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-8019425730933549982008-12-05T03:06:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.565-08:00

One of the highlights in Mika Kaurismäki's 2005 documentary film on choro in Rio, 'Brasileirinho', is the scene with Yamandú Costa playing Pixinguinha's 'Carinhoso' alone on stage fronting an audience of hundreds of people spellbound by Yamandú's engaging stage appearance and little by little joining in singing Braguinha's lyrics and thus making the performance a mutual experience - a true

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-62608401562113043212008-11-28T02:59:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.566-08:00

Recently I was pointed to a recording that seems to be a pioneer recording of the electric guitar used in choro. I got curious and searched the online discoteque at Instituo Moreira Salles hoping to find the recording there and having the possibility of listening to it. I was lucky, I found the record searching the title stated in headline above. If you are unfamilar with the search facility at

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-68464171806484018462008-11-21T03:18:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.566-08:00

This week my friend, Hans - co-editor and supervisor of this blog - is celebrating that his keepswinging-blogspot has reached the magical number of 1000 entries since its start in February 2006. An amazing effort considering the fact that he has been posting always well researched and engaging posts on a daily basis about music and other passions that keep him swinging and have attracted

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-27554435276117623542008-11-14T02:51:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.566-08:00

Choro, samba and other popular genres of Brazil often seem to be categorized as 'Latin', when you browse through career profiles of artists in various sources available at the web or in short articles in printed books designated to give an overview of the musical background of a certain artist. This procedure seems to be the norm regarding musicians having their main career in jazz or popular

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-41638995519503070262008-11-07T03:47:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.566-08:00

The evolution of choro into a musical genre as we know it today owes a lot to the 1930s and 1940s house bands of the Brazilian national and regional radio networks, the various Conjuntos Regionais, that helped shaping and spreading the concept of the genre through countless live broadcasts and recordings of popular music of the time, including choro. Some of the Conjuntos Regionais raised to

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-1079578058697125972008-10-31T03:17:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.567-08:00

Pixinguinha (1897-1973) remains an icon representing the heart and soul of Brasilian popular music culture, his work as a composer, bandleader, flutist/reedplayer and originator of the choro genre is of invaluable importance, historically and from a musical point of view. The work of Pixinguinha may be considered important at the same level as the work of initial American jazz composers like

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-17399818402462094192008-10-24T03:03:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.567-08:00

Since 2001 the young French violinist, Nicolas Krassik, has established his career in Brazil. His quick integration into the Brazilian music scene resulted in the beginning of a promising solo career, and he has already played, performed and recorded with several renowned artists of MPB. In 2004 Rob Digital released his first solo cd, “Na Lapa”, which was followed by his second effort "Caçuá" in

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-46751888116421265172008-10-17T01:21:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.567-08:00

Many people outside Brazil had their first encounter with choro through listening to the shown cd featuring a selection of recordings by Jacob do Bandolim. The cd was issued by David Grisman's Acoustic Disc in 1991 and contains 21 tracks licensed from RCA's Brasilian division, click on picture to see tracklist.Acoustic disc also released a volume 2 featuring 22 more recordings from Jacob do

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-75680665933070860812008-10-10T09:56:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.567-08:00

A few years ago, Mika Kaurismäki, a Finnish filmmaker, fasinated by the Brazilian music, published his documentary Brasileirinho.This documentary is dedicated to the Choro music. I found a trailer of the documentary Sound of Rio - Brasileirinho, which seems to be a precursor of the documentary Braileirinho, I introduced to you in a previous blog. In the film Mika follows three Choro musicians,

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-2257521551959345262008-10-03T02:12:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.567-08:00

During the 1930s and 1940s local and national radiostations in Brazil had a 'house band' to accompany popular singers during live broadcasts and to fill in empty space between progams.These house bands - known as Conjuntos Regionais - had a crucial role in evolving and shaping the popular music of the time, making it digestable for the commercial market - including record companies and the

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-50132703549114714262008-09-26T02:09:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.568-08:00

When I started listening to Brazilian recordings, I was fascinated by the sound of the violão tenor right from the start. One of the artists playing this instrument, who had my attention, was Garoto (Anibal Augusto Sardinha), of course. According to some sources it was Garoto, who introduced the violão tenor in Brazil in 1932 - he had imported a copy from the USA and was to use it intensely in

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-69490719817118431002008-09-19T00:59:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.568-08:00

When choro evolved as a style of playing popular music in Brazil during the late decades of the 19th Century, one of the pioneers, who helped shaping this music style, was Anacleto de Medeiros (1866-1907). The son of a freed slave, Medeiros began to study music at the age of nine, and earned a degree from the Rio Conservatory when he was 20. He became well-known locally as a composer and

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-77403267886529754912008-09-12T02:51:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.568-08:00

This time I like to point you to the talented composer and multi-instrumentalist, Renato Anesi. - Renato Anesi was born in 1969 in Rio de Janeiro. His work is the result of intense musical experience as a child. His father, a guitarist and cavaquinista, was his first teacher. Renato grew up playing choros and sambas of Noel Rosa, Pixinguinha, Jacob do Bandolim and others. Later, in São Paulo, he

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-40506364018770397772008-09-05T01:03:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.568-08:00

Dilermando Reis (1916-1977) was born in São Paulo, but lived most of his life in Rio de Janeiro, where he worked actively in radio and recordings. From 1941 to 1975 he recorded over forty albums, both 78rpms and LPs. His preference was the traditional Brazilian guitar style: waltzes and choros full of modulations to "confuse accompanists," played with his unique style and sound. He recorded about

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-45792776117104006842008-08-29T00:14:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.568-08:00

Being interested in Brasilian music tradition, I was delighted to have the opportunity to listen to the above shown cd by Nelson Latif, 'Movimento'. The cd was recorded in Amsterdam February-October 2006 and released 2007, and it was produced by Nelson Latif as his first solo issue. Nelson Latif is from São Paulo, Brazil, but has lived in Amsterdam, Holland, since the 1990s and taken part in

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-52270740603866736432008-08-22T04:25:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.569-08:00

One of the characteristics of the traditional choro performance is the fact that the participating musicians usually are seated in a circle or around a table to create an intimate atmosphere and leaving the opportunity to watch each other while playing. This was the ideal setting for a roda de choro, and this is continued to this day in small clubs or at private gatherings whenever choro

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-13702148574525506812008-08-15T03:10:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.569-08:00

Traditionally choro performance has been closely related with the Regional, an ensemble using acoustic instruments like violão (6 & 7 cordas), cavaquinho, pandeiro for accompaniment and bandolim or reed (flute, clarinet or saxophone) playing the melody. Less often the piano or the accordion has been used as solo voices in the traditional choro Regional,however, notable exceptions being Grupo

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-55011664666930563252008-08-08T05:01:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.569-08:00

Female saxaphone players are not very common, however, Daniela Spielmann is considered one of the best on the Brasilian music scene today. She is from Rio de Janeiro, began playing saxophone at 17 and was always interested in Brazilian music. Her style was influenced by the wind instruments most commonly used in choro, like the clarinet and flute. Besides the strong choro influence, her music

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-240104940695036462008-08-01T04:05:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.569-08:00

In contemporary tradition of choro performance the bandolim is still an essential solo voice, many people seem to identify choro with this fascinating instrument that was adapted and modified from the European mandolin by Brasil luthiers. Jacob Bittencourt (aka Jacó do Bandolim) helped shaping the instrument most commonly used, the eight string bandolim consisting of 4 pairs of strings that are

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-30661102123175280132008-07-24T14:54:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.569-08:00

The viola is the name for a 10-string steel-string acoustic guitar, used in Brazilian folk music. Its origins are obscure, but some folklorists believe it to be an archaic form of the Arab lute that elsewhere evolved into the modern guitar. The Portuguese brought the viola with them to Brazil.- Brazilian violas have 5 pairs of steel strings in a body similar to that of a smaller Spanish guitar.

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-15734984364221086202008-07-18T01:08:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.570-08:00

This time a quoted extract about the choro genre from the book, 'Choro, A Social History of a Brazilian Popular Music' (2005) by T.E. Livingston-Isenhour & T.G.C. Garcia (published by Indiana University Press):" The repertoire of early choro musicians consisted of dance music imported from Europe, especially the waltz and the polka, serenades, and other local popular genres. Over time a new

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-2469650326534907752008-07-11T02:39:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.570-08:00

The Brazilian 7-string guitar (violão de 7 cordas) is an acoustic guitar used primarily in choro and samba. It was introduced to Brazil in the early 20th century as a steel string guitar. The style of "baixaria" counterpoint and accompaniment technique was developed throughout the 20th century, especially by Dino 7 Cordas and Raphael Rabello. In the early 1980s, guitarist Luiz Otavio Braga had a

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-51638975244990631542008-07-04T03:15:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.570-08:00

On the 29th of June Garoto (Anibal Augusto Sardinha) would have turned 93 years of age, but sadly he only reached 39 years - a heart attack caused his premature death at the 3rd of May 1955. I read a small notice about the uncertainty of the exact date of his birth at Sovaco de Cobra. Thanks to the research of Garoto's diaries, however, it can now be settled that his date of birth was on 29th

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-9784392698223499692008-06-27T03:33:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.570-08:00

JACOB PICK BITTENCOURT (1918-1969) aka Jacob do Bandolim is an immortal name in the field of famous choro musicians, who - like Pixinguinha - helped shaping this Brazilian music style in the way we know it today. Jacob do Bandolim left a heritage of recordings, music compositions and a huge compilation of collected manuscripts from years of research of known as well as unknown choro composers.

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-58296873382258896382008-06-20T01:57:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.570-08:00

The tune 'Apanhei-te Cavaquinho' was composed 1915 by Ernesto Nazareth and is considered the second most recorded choro by Nazareth next to his 'Odeon'. Actually, the piece 'Apanhei-te Cavaquinho' is a polca in terms of musical form, but the tune has always been considered a typical choro, as it was adapted early on by choro musicians as part of their standard repertoire. The composition

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-17831357273789927432008-06-13T01:27:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.571-08:00

Diego Figueiredo, guitarist, producer and orchestral arranger, is a rising star among a new generation of excellent Brazilian performers. Having won second place at the Gibson Guitar Competition of Montreux Jazz Festival 2007 (he was also at the top 3 in the same contest in 2005), Diego Figueiredo is considered to be one of the greatest guitar players in the world today.Diego Figueiredo was born

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-57499674247203552052008-06-06T01:17:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.571-08:00

Hamilton de Holanda (b.1976) was a prodigy child, he has confirmed his virtuosic talent at the bandolim, an instrument he has explored with success at the same high level as Jacob do Bandolim did earlier. Moving with his family to Brasília at the age of one, de Holanda was presented with a bandolim by his grandfather when was five. Hamilton de Holanda's father, a choro violonista, boosted the

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-49676590502201169052008-05-30T02:05:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.571-08:00

The excellent Brasilian big band, SpokFrevo Orquestra, will be on tour in Europe during June and July. The band was formated in 1996 and comes from Recife, Pernambuco (- North East of Brazil) and has specialized in performing up-dated arrangements of frevo - one of the most vital music traditions of the North East of Brazil. The SpokFrevo Orquestra is led by Inaldo Cavalcante de Albuquerque (-

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-76445164936622018472008-05-23T01:19:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.571-08:00

The shown sheet music extract has the title 'Gotas de Lágrimas' and is considered one of the most famous works for solo violão in the Brasilian guitar tradition. The tittle of the composition means in English 'Teardrops', and considering the fact that the music is a waltz, you can get an idea of the mood, if you to this put the reference to 'crying'. Teardrops usually are caused by crying, but -

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-11372900366632109852008-05-16T02:42:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.571-08:00

João Teixeira Guimarães (1883-1947), better known as João Pernambuco, is one of the founders of the Brasilian guitar choro style, and his compositions for solo violão are deservedly considered belonging to the core of classic choro, popular with guitarists, loved and admired by audiences in Brazil and elsewhere. Villa Lobos once said according Pernambuco's compositions that even J.S. Bach would

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-21558850307243729192008-05-09T01:44:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.572-08:00

A couple of days ago I learned the sad news that Canhoto da Paraíba (Francisco Soares de Araújo) passed away on the 24th of April following a heart attack. The choro music scene throughout the world has lost a legendary artist, who ranked alongside the greatest exponents of this Brazilian music style from the generation of Pixinguinha, Radamés Gnattali and Jacob do Bandolim.Francisco Soares de

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-2506978385797229212008-05-02T03:01:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.572-08:00

Some time ago I promissed to review the first cd released by the choro group Choro das 3 when I had my copy in house, however, my ordered copy never showed up. My disappointment with the retailer's lack of service at this point, however, was put aside when I visited the new updated official webside of Choro das 3Besides having a new design the websides also leaves the visitor with the opportunity

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-67916312896953700662008-04-23T00:12:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.572-08:00

In September 2000, president Fernando Henrique Carsoso signed an official document to announce 23 April the National Day of Choro in Brazil in honor of Alfredo da Rocha Vianna Filho, Pixinguinha, who was born 23 April 1897. Every year since then choro has been celebrated officially on the 23th of April through countless events in Brazil and around the world where Brasilian culture is a part of

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-47435299199838560542008-04-18T01:41:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.572-08:00

During the 1950s and early 1960s choro was out of vogue in Brazil, this kind of music was considered old people's music not worth giving exposure in radio and TV or being promoted by the big record companies. Only a handful of well known choro artists - like Pixinguinha, Jacob do Bandolim, Waldir Azevedo, Abel Ferrari to name a few - still had work, but were often forced to share their talents in

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-44249394131310427662008-04-11T03:39:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.572-08:00

Some time ago I promissed to search the field of published choro music for guitar/violão, the following items mentioned below, however, are just a small selection of what has been issued recently and is still available for purchase from the publishers. If the guitar choro playing is new to you, the shown book by Carlos Almada may be a good way to get started. As the title states, it contains 13

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-91065725909302785412008-04-04T00:14:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.572-08:00

Master of the bandolim and tenor-guitar, Marco de Pinna was one of the founders of the group "Nó em Pingo D'água" in 1977. He recorded his first LP in 1985 which featured guest appearances by Radamés Gnattali and Orlando Silveira. Since 1997, Marco has been teaching in the Brazilian music course "California Brazil Summer Camp", in San Francisco (USA). In 1999 he participated in the CD "Velha

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-7685347551907403602008-03-28T06:23:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.573-08:00

The importance of regional and national radio networks cannot be overestimated in the process of spreading choro and making it a significant Brasilian artform.The first radio broadcast in Brazil was aired September 7, 1922 to celebrate the centennial of Brasilian independence. In this first broadcast Pixinguinha and his Oito Batutas were featured playing examples of the group's repertoire,

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-20026365270597093312008-03-21T05:57:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.573-08:00

Some weeks ago I had a request from a regular visitor of this blog regarding sheet music of choro for (acoustic) guitar/violão. I am still investigating what has been published for purchase and is still available, I'll post a message about this issue later, when I have gathered some more info. - However, if you are searching for guitar choro sheet music on the web, I like to point you to a great

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-61673035258403830932008-03-14T04:39:00.000-07:002012-02-08T03:47:22.573-08:00

Nonato Luiz (Raimundo Nonato de Oliveira Luiz) (b 1952) is a highly regarded and respected Brazilian guitarist and composer, who mixes classical influences in his rootsy playing, distinctly reflecting the rich tradition of the violão in the North East of Brazil. - At three he took up the cavaquinho. At 15 he was already the second violinist of the Symphonic Orchestra of Fortaleza. At that age he

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-43021576816347905332008-03-07T02:52:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.573-08:00

The classic choro tune, "Saxofone, Por Que Choras", is still performed by choro ensembles of today - it has become a part of the standard book repertoire. The piece was composed and recorded in 1930 by the highly accomplished pioneer of the saxophone in Brazil, Severino Rangel de Carvalho (1896-1972), better known through his artist name as Ratinho. Ratinho was not the first to play choros on the

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-38804494326785834252008-02-29T01:18:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.573-08:00

About a year ago I introduced the three charming young ladies shown above at this blog. The trio consists of three sisters from Porto Feliz, São Paulo state, Lia (violão de 7 cordas), Corina (flute) and Elisa (bandolim), who devote their skills to choro and do performances as Choro das Tres. In performance the three sisters are accompanied by their father, Eduardo Ferreira on the pandeiro and

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-27753529248141982912008-02-22T14:10:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.573-08:00

A couple of days ago Hans Koert published a great contribution regarding Elizeth Cardosa and a famous concert/live-recording from 1968 at the keepswinging-blogspot Enjoy it here in the English version as the entry for the comming week.---On the 19th of February 1968, fourty years ago, Elizeth Cardoso, one of the great vocalists of Brazil, performed in concert with the man who discovered her,

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-4617392032040887352008-02-14T14:32:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.574-08:00

Valentine's Day, the 14th of February, inspired my friend and co-editor of the choro-music blog, Hans, to post a great contribution about Joaquim Calado's 'Flor Amorosa' at the keepswinging-blogspotEnjoy it here in the English version as this week's contribution.This tune, Flor Amorosa, is one of the earliest examples of choro. It was composed by Joaquim Antonio da Silva Calado ( or Callado ). He

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-74980619449330217832008-02-08T02:55:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.574-08:00

Dilermando Reis (1916-1977) is deservedly considered one of the most important guitarists in Brazil after Garoto. He began his career in the 1930s, when he moved from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro. There he gave guitar lessons at the 'Bandolim de Ouro' and 'A Guitarra de Prata' music stores and made the acquaintance of fellow educator João Pernambuco. He worked sporadically at Radio Guanabara and

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-38498234792644269172008-02-01T03:57:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.574-08:00

We had a reaction from Zé Carlos Cipriano regarding my contribution recently on Ernesto Nazareth's 'Odeon'. Zé Carlos manages the 'Sovaco de Cobra' website, which is a great resource site (-in Portuguese) concerning Brasilian music, he wrote: "Sovaco de Cobra has an investigative musical series on the carioca composer Ernesto Nazareth, presenting first-hand recordings and texts regarding his

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-35196196760821067192008-01-25T04:00:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.574-08:00

Radamés Gnattali had several collaborations with renowned MBP artists during his long career as a composer, director and pianist - in the context of choro his collaboration with Garoto and Jacob do Bandolim is well known. In the early 1950s Gnattali and Garoto collaborated and prepared a work for orchestra and violão by Gnattali with Garoto as the soloist, and in the mid-60s Jacob do Bandolim was

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-12737642103720945792008-01-18T04:40:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.574-08:00

Ernesto Nazareth (1863-1934) is considered one of the main figures in the shaping of the Brazilian choro, his compositions - although never designated with the term 'choro' by the composer himself - became popular with choro communities early on and some of his most popular pieces are till performed by choro ensembles today. Recently I found a website in English devoted to Ernesto Nazareth with

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-43869672793194224402008-01-11T00:52:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.575-08:00

Brazil North East, especially the region of Pernambuco, is rich in traditional music and dances. Frevo (- means “I’m boiling”), is probably the most Pernambucan of all. Like choro, frevo is closely related to the samba, and has grown and adapted into a more modern sound. Musically the frevo is in the form of a march but is distinguished by its characteristic fast syncopation played in a very fast

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-41822391239901266832008-01-04T01:41:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.575-08:00

Romero LubamboAt her weblog Daniella Thompson pointed to a one-hour radio program featuring music by Pixinguinha from a live performance in New York accessable at Lincoln Center radio. The program is available in streaming audio (RealPlayer required), click here. Featured musicians are Romero Lubambo (guitar), Mauro Senise (flute & soprano saxophone), Paula Robison (flute), Cyro Baptista (

enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00565588943538357675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3072259005436669234.post-65236019393823007802007-12-28T02:19:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:47:22.575-08:00

Mika Kaurismäki's excellent documentary on Choro in Rio, Brasileirinho (2005), deserves to be viewed more than once - the atmosphere of the film, the great performance by contemporary stars of choro is spellbinding and persuades you to watch the movie over again. At least, this is the way I felt after watching the film for the first time, since then I have seen it two or three times more - last

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