João Bosco: Mano que Zuera
As Good as Usual — When João Bosco releases a new album, you know what you get. He’s one of the artists who manages to keep a steady high quality of music. It’s a matter of good taste, outstanding craftsmanship … Continued
Barca dos Corações Partidos: Auê
A Celebration of Brazilian Culture — In a country with an extremely rich tradition of strong female performers, it often surprises me when a male artist rises to the forefront. That was one of the things that called my attention … Continued
MPB-4, Toquinho & Ivan Lins: 50 Anos de Música
Reliving the Golden Age of MPB — Luck would have it that I was in Fortaleza on October 7, 2017, when MPB-4, Toquinho and Ivan Lins performed their acclaimed road show celebrating 50 years of their individual careers. The mid- … Continued
Maria Bethânia: Abraçar e Agradecer
A Feast of Recognition It was on my 7th birthday that Maria Bethânia performed her first serious concert; February 13, 1965. That’s more than 50 years ago, which means that there’s a nice opportunity to create a special event. With … Continued
Fernanda Cunha: Jobim 90
Sovereign Maestro On January 25, 2017, Antonio Carlos Jobim would have been 90 years old. Known among other musicians as the Maestro Soberano (Sovereign Maestro), Jobim wrote hundreds of Bossa Nova standards performed by singers all over the world. Anyone who’s … Continued
Renato Braz: Saudade
A Voice for the Ages! Can saudade be accurately defined? Arguably not. Most people believe that the Brazilian word for deep, almost painful, longing and nostalgia is a feeling that offers no direct translation in any other language. Instead of trying … Continued
Carol Saboya: Carolina
Like Father, Like Daughter Four years have passed since we last heard Carol Saboya (Rio de Janeiro, 1975) on a full solo recording. Her 2012 Belezas – The Music of Ivan Lins and Milton Nascimento was her US debut following several … Continued
Vinícius Cantuária: Vinícius Canta Antônio Carlos Jobim
It’s All About Bossa Nova The story about Vinícius Cantuária has been told before here on MúsicaBrasileira. How the singer from Manaus (1951) released catchy pop albums in the 1980s and reached the unwanted status of pop idol. To escape … Continued
Fernanda Cunha: Olhos de Mar
MP-Brilliant! So often I read about Brazilian artists complaining about the lack of new Música Popular Brasileira (MPB, Brazilian Popular Music). Unfortunately the reality in Brazil is not the brightest when it comes to MPB. It seems radio stations continue … Continued
Antonio Adolfo: Tema
An Impressive Career Prolific probably is not an accurate word when it comes to Antonio Adolfo (1947, Rio de Janeiro). It doesn’t quite describe just how much this composer, pianist, arranger, producer and teacher does in what most of us struggle … Continued
Carol Saboya, Antonio Adolfo, Hendrik Meurkens: Copa Village
When Stars Align… …The results are nothing short of amazing, as Copa Village shows. Copa Village was produced and arranged by Antonio Adolfo (piano) and brings back Carol Saboya‘s tranquil and heart-warming vocals along with the exhilarating addition of Hendrik Meurkens‘ jazzy harmonica and … Continued
Andrea dos Guimarães: Desvelo
Modern Tradition When I heard the second album of Conversa Ribeira (Águas Memórias, 2013), I was struck by the beautiful sound of the trio. At least for one third, the voice of Andrea dos Guimarães was responsible for that. The … Continued
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