My Page for Saturday, February 20th, 2010

So, isn’t it great that Brazil throws the world’s biggest party every year around this time to help us celebrate?

By all accounts Carnaval 2010 was one for the record books. Rio de Janeiro welcomed an estimated 730,000 visitors – a 5 percent increase over last year. They arrived to a record-breaking heat wave, in time to witness 7 year-old Julia Lira become the youngest drum Corps Queen as far as anyone can recall. Madonna showed up to show off her Brazilian boyfriend while Beyoncé and Alicia Keys shot a music video.

The parade competition for the Samba Schools made history, too, with the top prize going to the underdog Unidos da Tijuca (“Tijuca United”), which hadn’t won since 1936 – 74 long years! Times have changed: When Unidos was last crowned champion, the community-based marching groups called escolas – were tiny by comparison to today’s ritual presentations, which have grown to include up to 5,000 paraders, with costumes and floats easily approaching budgets of

Chris McGowen writes that with Paulo Barros as its carnavalesco (art director), Tijuca put on an innovative and colorful show illustrating the theme “É Segredo!” (“It’s a Secret”); the school explored mysteries around the world and featured rapid-fire costume changes that stunned the Sambódromo audience. There were pop-culture references and floats featured skiing Batmen and climbing Spidermen, as well as a Michael Jackson impersonator. The four-month pregnant TV host Adriane Galisteu was Tijuca’s drum queen. The samba schools Grande Rio, Beija-For, Vila Isabel, Salgueiro, and Mangueira took the next five positions, respectively.

It was also the first Carnival since Rio was named as host for the Olympics’ Summer Games in 2016 and by and large, city officials have done a pretty good job with initial steps to make the city shine during Carnaval week.

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Betcha didn’t know this: Brazilian music fans in Chicago will have a change to hear Bossa Nova legend João Gilberto as part of Eric Clapton’s third Crossroads Guitar Festival on Saturday, June 26 at Toyota Park. Ticket are on sale now .

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This week on The Sounds of Brazil!

While Carnaval may have wrapped up in Brazil, this is the weekend for most major US cities to have their turn with the Carnaval Balls – check your local entertainment guides for details, we’ll supply the music to get you there and back again:

Carnival, Carnaval, Carnivale, Mardi Gras. Call it what you will, it’s an annual rite of celebration worldwide – from the Big Easy, south through the Caribbean and on to South America and across Europe – and the rhythmic excitement arrives just in time for our salute to Samba in its many forms and Carnaval in Brazil! This weekend Brazil’s three largest cities, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Salvador, Bahia will showcase their unique Carnaval traditions just as our own radio show will do for the Samba beat.

Here you’ll find Sambas from Jairzinho Oliveira, Nelson Rangell, Jussara Silveira, Oswaldinho do Accordeon and Pat Metheny. And Leila Pinheiro, Beat Girls and Emilio Santiago help lead the parade. Plus Larry Coryell live from Bahia, Peter White’s Samba grooves and great songs from Cris Delano with Bossacucanova, Germany’s Slowdown – by request – and Toco’s impressive Samba CD from Italy. Even an historic tribute to Carmen Miranda on her 101st birthday! Oba!

My Page for Monday, February 15th:

Ahhh, February. 

With every US state (except Hawaii) now having seen winter snow, it might come as a surprise to know that for one day last week, Rio de Janeiro was listed as the second hottest place on Earth. Not surprisingly, sun-loving Cariocas do not view this as Global Warming – they call it summer.

Rio’s heat is expected this time of year; maybe you’ve seen those t-shirts reading “Rio 40 grauss? That’s in centigrade.

This is the heat which fuels Carnaval and after all these years, it’s become a reciprocating action. And like clockwork in the weeks leading up to Brazil’s national event, the rest of the world is nudged into grudging awareness and then watches with combination of awe and envy. We wonder: “Can a whole nation really party that hard?”

Sources report that an estimated 700,000 visitors poured into the “Marvelous City” for Carnaval (“Carnival” in English). The festivities run officially from Feb. 13-16, although the partying starts earlier and ends later. The city claims that 2.5 million people are celebrating in the streets this year, topping an estimated two million merrymakers enjoying the long-established street Carnaval up north in Salvador, Bahia. On Saturday, an astonishing 1.5 million people followed the bloco Cordão da Bola Preta through downtown Rio, according to O Globo newspaper.

Over the years, media outlets like The New York Times and NBC News have made a caricature of the city’s negatives. Poverty, crime, the favela culture – each has taken its turn in the news cycle spotlight when it swings south towards Carnaval.

But this year, the storyline is different, thanks to 7-year old girl named Julia. It began with the Samba School Viradouro when it named Julia Lira as a Carnaval Queen, wound its way through the world press and into the halls of justice, where a Brazilian court ruled against a charge of sexual exploitation.

Reporter Chris McGowen writes that context is important. Brazil has long had Carnaval balls for children and there is a children’s samba parade at the Sambódromo; but when the escolas perform before the public during Carnaval, the atmosphere is ripe with sexuality. Another concern is the physical effort required of a child dancing for eighty minutes in Rio’s wilting heat. Children’s groups like the state’s Council for the Defense of Children and Adolescents complained bitterly and sought to legally block Julia’s appearance with Viradouro, but a judge ruled that she could perform with the escola. This, in spite of the public outrage chronicled in the Brazilian media.

So the young girl has taken her place for Carnaval – in a role that is usually reserved for young, barely covered Brazilian women and celebrities, which this year includes Madonna and Beyoncé , according to this Times of London report.

Julia Lira was chosen to lead the drum corps for the Viradouro samba group and she danced through the Sambadrome stadium after midnight on Sunday cheered by thousands of fans. A family court judge rejected a claim that she risked being sexually exploited, Brazilian media reported.

Madonna, who has been pictured in Rio de Janeiro with her 22-year-old Brazilian boyfriend, and Alicia Keys, who is also in Brazil are part of the scene this year. Beyoncé opened the celebrations in the northeastern city of Salvador on Wednesday with a show in front of 45,000 people. But it is the much younger diva who has been dominating the headlines.

And our sensibilities.

McGowen rightly points out that not every city in Brazil has an intense Carnaval. Some only host relatively tame indoor balls. And people with less carnavalesco souls use the holidays to travel to places where they can relax far from the drums during the day and, if they feel like it, go dancing at night. But between New Year’s Eve and Carnaval nothing really important is decided in Brazil. Quoting a popular Chico Buarque song, most people will say, “I’m saving myself for when Carnaval comes.” During that time, the weather is hot, people become more outgoing, and sensuality is in the air. But amidst all the craziness and frivolity, Carnaval serves the important purpose for Brazilians of maintaining cultural traditions–encoded in the music, dance, and costumes of the celebrations across the country.

Carnaval is a canvas across which the country’s values and issues are displayed, as evidenced by the themes chosen by the escolas, the presence of a seven-year-old girl dancing before Viradouro’s drum section in 2010, and the reactions to the mayor’s attempts to change some long-standing customs and bring order as Brazil seems on the verge of achieving its great potential.

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While it’s true that the annual edition of Rio’s Sambas de Enredo Carnaval songs can no longer but found easily here in the US, you can still revel in the musical energy that propels theses gargantuan groups of dancers, paraders and party-goers – often numbering into the thousands.

The CD is released just before the holiday season by LIESA, the Rio Carnaval organization – and proceeds go back directly to the neighborhoods for next year’s programs. Universal Music stopped importing the CDs several years ago, but Connectbrazil.com has a nice collection of previous season for you to browse through – along with a few more Samba suggestions – by clicking here.

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If Brazil’s Carnaval has disappointed some this year, so too have the Grammy awards in recent years. Perhaps this is due to the emergence of the Latin Grammy Awards, where Brazil plays the role of the perennial bridesmaid. This year was no exception, with a scant handful of nominees. We held hope for Luciana Souza, whose high profile with the Grammys represented Brazil’s best chance.

But the program, which over the decades has honored Brazilian stars like Caetano Veloso, Milton Nascimento and Gilberto Gil for the World Music categories has not offered the same opportunities to Brazil’s current crop of musicians, and that’s a shame.

And while the Latin Grammy organization really works to give Brazil a fair amount of coverage, the truth is that there is simply no way the Portuguese-speaking nation can compete against Lingua Hispaniola – the best of my knowledge no Brazilian sing has ever been nominated for Latin Grammy Song of the Year.

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February marks the debut of our Free “Featured Album of The Month” at Connectbrazil.com. Each month, we’ll offer a premium Brazilian CD for free when you purchase two or more CDs.

This time, we’re bringing you a beautiful voice and guitar album from Maria Alvim and Rick Udler, whose title matches our February theme – ‘Rhythm & Romance’. A purely acoustic recording, Alvim and Udler created a Brazilian classic when the album was first released in 1998. And although both the duo and the record label have moved on, we have a limited quantity for you to add to your collection. Just click here to explore the album.

It’s our way of taking some of the sting out of this stubborn economy – think of it as a ‘bail-out’ plan for Brazilian music fans.  It’s as simple as 1-2-3!

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2010 has gotten off to a running start for newcomer Patricia Talem. Her self-titled debut album released on our Points South Music label in July, followed by her first US tour and media blitz. She gave us a free download song for Christmas and has been touring extensively throughout Brazil and South America.

Now, she’s been nominated for two Brazilian International Press awards, underscoring her impressive arrival as a Brazilian singer.  The awards are slated for later this Spring – and I hear that Patricia Talem will be back in the US soon to begin recording her sophomore album!

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Musical musings:

By Mayoral decree, both Funk and Rap have been banned during Carnaval week. A mayor of a Brazilian town has banned Carnival revelers from playing funk or rap music during the traditionally free-wheeling celebrations that kick off around the country on Friday.

Mayor Jose Neto of Sao Lourenco in southeastern Minas Gerais state told Globo television he was banning songs that incite violence and disrespect authority and wanted to protect more traditional Carnival music, such as samba.  Anyone caught listening to funk — a pounding beat often with sexual lyrics popular in Rio de Janeiro’s slums — or rap during the Carnival period would have to turn it off or face arrest and up to six months in prison, he reportedly said. “They are mass gatherings that demand better coordination, control and security that a public festival like Carnival doesn’t allow us to adopt,” Neto told Globo TV.

Funk music has long been frowned upon by police and city authorities in Rio and faced crackdowns because of its association with slum gangs who use parties to sell drugs. But the music form, which originated in U.S. slums in the late 1960s, has increasingly found a mainstream following in Brazil and as far away as Europe. (Reuters)

Here’s more on that story about Alicia Keys and Beyonce: They are shooting Put It In A Love Song in Brazil. But, Beyonce’s second concert in Brazil ended with a gun fight as the singer was hustled away. The pop superstar – who had jetted into Salvador from Rio de Janeiro to sing her hits to fans – had been performing to a 30,000-strong audience, but the night ended in terror when police had to open fire on teenagers who had been shooting at people waiting for taxis to get home.

The 29-year-old pop star was not hurt in the incident, and there were no serious injuries. Beyonce has been in the country for the past week shooting the new video for her and Alicia Keys’ forthcoming single ‘Put It In A Love Song’ and to perform a handful of concerts. The ‘Halo’ singer spent much of yesterday sightseeing in Rio de Janeiro and visited the city’s famous Christ The Redeemer statue. However, she was mobbed by other tourists as she tried to catch a glimpse of the 130ft landmark. (Female First)

Brazilian singer Luciana Souza brought down the house in Milwaukee this weekend. The Sao Paulo native, whose performances, recordings and collaborations have won global acclaim, was accompanied by guitarist Romero Lumbabo and percussionist Cyro Baptista for her captivating, hour-and-45-minute set.

And finally, When it comes to Salvador Bahia, Trio Elétrico is King. 2010 is a milestone year: Think of a roving band on a float – originated in 1950 on the bed of a 1929 Model T Ford truck – and paraded throughout Salvador Bahia, equipped with a high power sound system. The Trio Eletrico’s performance of Frevo marks one of the first and most chapters in the history of Brazilian music and will be commemorated as “60 years of the Electric Trio,” the theme for Salvador’s Carnaval this year!

Our radio and webcast theme for February is ‘Rhythm & Romance’. New weeklong shows every Saturday!

06 – Hot Brazilian Nights

13 – A Brazilian Valentine!

20 – Samba & Carnaval

27 – Long Songs

To enjoy our free 24/7 Internet Radio stations, plus special show ‘previews’ and Interactive Playlists for each weekly show, please click here.

Enjoy!

By Sean Chaffin, Editor/Senior Writer

Last Updated: February 12, 2010; 12:42 pm CT

No doubt Maris Gras will extra special this year because of the Saints Super Bowl win last week, but it still can’t compare to Brazil’s carnaval cekebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Salvador, Bahia.  In fact, time can come to a complete stop when Carnaval gears up for another edition of “the world’s biggest party”.  Literally.

A few years ago, Brazil’s President Lula decreed by law that Daylight Savings Time will end on the third Sunday in February – unless its a Carnaval weekend. Then, its the following Sunday.

That’s Brazil for you…

The colors, the music, the dancing, the pageantry … Carnival is here  and here’s what to expect from 2010’s festivities. The annual four-day celebration begins 40 days before Easter each year, this year scheduled to kick off Saturday, Feb. 13, and ends on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 16. To much of the world, Carnival symbolizes Brazil. Samba schools practice for months to compete in the annual event. Brazilians, along with tourists, overflow the streets of Rio de Janeiro and other cities to take in the scene, sights, and sounds of this traditional Brazilian party.

A Brief History

In strict religious terms, Carnival marks the last days before the Catholic Lent season. The annual celebration is believed to have been brought to the country by the Portuguese in 1850, with Cariocas taking to the streets – both upper and lower classes. It was a celebration that seemed to be uncontrollable and at the same time uniting for a country bursting with different incomes, classes, and races.

Former slaves brought their own dance traditions to Carnival in the 1890s, marching and dancing through the city streets. There were five samba organizations throughout Rio in 1930, but by 1935, the samba competitions had become one of the most popular Carnival events with 25 schools competing.

The annual event just kept growing, and these marches led to one of the event’s most popular aspects. Now considered one of the most festive and colorful events, the Samba School competitions bring together schools from across Rio and Brazil in a competition of dance, music, and showmanship. Schools practice for months leading up to the annual competition – each out to be crowned that year’s champion.

The samba competitions took on an even more important aspect of the annual Carnival in 1983, when architect Oscar Niemeyer, the designer of the city of Brasilia, unveiled his design for Rio’s new Sambadrome. The facility is made up of a wide cement performance center with bleacher and box seating on either side. Spectators soak up the sights and sounds of samba as marchers and revelers parade through the Sambadrome. Many Brazilians spends thousands of dollars each year to secure boxes for their friends and families, and the Sambadrome festivities are broadcast nationally on Brazilian television.

Rio de Janeiro events

Rio de Janeiro is the center of the Carnival world and the event officially kicks off on Feb. 14, but events are also scheduled for Feb. 12-13. It is estimated 500,000 tourists attend Carnival events annually, and this year’s Sambadrome tickets start at $160 and run into the thousands of dollars.

The city will officially name the Carnival King (Momo) on Feb. 12 as he is crowned by the city’s mayor and receive the keys to the city.
At 7 p.m. the same day, the children’s samba schools will parade through the city streets.

During Carnival, there are almost too many events to keep up with. The street band competitions crank up on Saturday with performances in Rio Branco downtown and at Ipanema. The official costume party is also scheduled for Saturday night at the Hotel Gloria.

One of Rio’s major annual attractions, the Magic Ball, takes place at the Copacabana Palace Hotel. The ball is considered one of the most glamorous events in Rio and attended by Rio’s high society. This year, the hotel’s marvelous salons are decorated in a special theme by artist Zeka Marquez. The ball features a spectacular buffet and live bands until the early morning hours. Those attending are expected to be in formal dress, or in a luxury Carnival costume. There are also several other balls throughout the city – offering something for every Carnival attendee.

Samba school competitions commence on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, and then the last marches through Ipanema also on Tuesday, followed by the Gay Costume Ball in Rio Scala to close out the year’s events.

While the sight of Rio’s Carnival events is a wonder all its own, many revelers say the best way to truly experience Carnival is to get in on the action. During street band performances, tourists are often welcome to join in on the action – drinking and dancing through the Rio streets. Each samba school also has its own dance hall, and tourists are also welcome to soak in the practice sessions – learning the dances, songs, taking in the rhythmic drum beats, … and generally having a great time.

Salvador events

Salvador offers its own twist on Carnival. For those looking for something different, Salvador’s Carnival basically offers two parts: the parade of trio elétricos and the barracas. A trio elétrico is a semi trailer, with a massive payload of sound equipment and a band playing on top of the trailer. They parade slowly along one of two “circuits” – one close to the city center and the other running along the Atlantic Ocean. The setups are called “trios” because the first one was an old car (1929 Ford) with a driver and two musicians in back. That first car is displayed in the museum at the Lagoa da Abaeté in Itapoan.

This is a special year in Salvador as the Salvador celebrates 60 years of the trio elétricos. The festivities begin Thursday with the keys to the city will be handed to Carnival king in the presence of the fobica, the original car used as the first trio. Also as part of the celebration, Moraes Moreira will stand atop a trio to play Carnival frevos. A frevo is fast-paced music from Pernambuco introduced into Carnival on the first trio). Moreira is a Bahia music legend, with his songs recorded by Gal Costa, Zizi Possi, Daniela Mercury, Marisa Monte, and more. It has been 10 years since Moreira entertained Carnival-goers.

The second part of Salvador Carnival is the barracas – from the word for tents or stalls in Portuguese. The barracas are everywhere, turning Salvador into a city with parties literally everywhere. The stalls have their own sound systems and revelers tour the scene with cervejas, and other fruit and cachaça mixtures.

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And for those who can’t make it to Rio, Salvador, or a Carnival celebration here in the U.S. (or in your own country), put on a bit of samba, pour a cerveja or mix up a nice caparinha. Kick back and relax in your new Brazilian state of mind.

**** SIDEBAR **** CARNIVAL LINKS

Carnival surround – get your fix of ‘Samba and Sound’

There is nothing like Carnival, and while many cities offer some kind of celebration, there is nothing like the sights, sounds, and scene in Brazil. Below we have compiled a list of links to photos, information, songs, and much more on Carnival enjoy and check back in the coming days for more.

Guide to Rio Carnival 2010 – history, photos and information. | link |

O Globo Carnival 2010 – Updated daily with news, photos, and videos. | link |

Daily Rio Schedule of Events – see what’s happening in Rio. | link |

Carnival photos – from O Globo. | link |

Carnival videos – from O Globo. | link |

Trip to Carnival – information on travel and participating. | link |

Salvador Carnival – information on history and events. | link |

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Samba (Globe and Mail) – great article on embracing the Brazilian state of mind. | link |

What’s it like to participate in Rio’s Carnaval? The Los Angeles Times answered just that question this week as the traditional Brazilian event kicks off this weekend.

The article offers some great insight into what’s it’s like to wear one of those fantastical costumes, the sound of pounding drums filling the air, and cheering Cariocas filling the streets.

Sporting those tricorn hats and frumpy white suits with oversized plastic buttons, our section of the samba school would dress as students of the Royal Academy of Medicine, in honor of the first university established in Rio. Each samba school illustrates a theme, or enredo, through its song, floats and costumes, so ours would tell the story of the Portuguese royal court moving to Brazil to evade Napoleon 200 years before.

Once inside the gates of the half-mile-long venue, amid a flurry of feathers and fantasias, or costumes, I was engulfed by hundreds of winged creatures with headdresses molded into whimsical shapes. Lost between floats – one depicting a large golden ship and another a tropical forest — I was relieved to recognize this assemblage as Império da Tijuca, our samba school, distinguished by the gold-green hues of the ornate décor.

Have you ever march in the parades at the Sambadrome, or attended any the Carnaval Balls ? Give us some of your memories.

As Carnival approaches this weekend, New Zealand Stuff offers a great article on the annual festival’s polar opposite – the quiet side of Rio. And yes, it does exist.

Among the sites mentioned is Buzios, a small Atlantic seaside fishing village until the 1960s until French actress Brigitte Bardot vacationed there with her Brazilian boyfriend. Word spread among her friends and acquaintances and the site is now one of Brazil’s most glamorous resort areas. NZ Stuff notes this about Buzios:

Affluent Cariocas (Rio city folk) have second homes here and flood in for weekends and public holidays, filling many of the peninsula’s 20-plus beaches, up-market seafood restaurants and trendy clubs such as Pacha and Privilege.

When I arrive midweek, however, it’s gloriously quiet. Buzio’s main cobbled thoroughfare – the Rua das Pedras (Stone Street) – is packed with chic fashion boutiques and establishments where Bardot is, seemingly, everywhere.

The article lists some other notable Rio-area destinations including:

• Paraty – a Portuguese colonial town of cobblestone streets known for its natural beauty and brilliant architecture.

• Ilha Grande – A small village now known for its beaches, hotels, hostels, restaurants, cafes and tour agencies. Its coastal trails offer plenty of adventure with hummingbirds, monkeys, toucans, sloths, waterfalls, and mangroves.

These definitely sound like some nice – and quiet – getaways. Have you visited any of these destinations? What are your thoughts?

(The photo at left is of one of Buzios’s many fine beaches.)

No stranger to Brazil and Brazilian sounds, Dionne Warwick played San Francisco on Feb.6 at the historic Castro Theater.

The show was part of an 11-date string of concerts wrapping up in September. Warwick has been recording for more than four decades and has dabbled in Bossa Nova and Brazilian recordings throughout her award-winning career. On her 1994 Aquarela Do Brasil, she’s worked with a Who’s Who of Brazilian stars including Dori Caymmi, Ivan Lins, and Chico Buarque, to name just a few. Connect Brazil calls the album “the most unique chapter of pop star Dionne Warwick’s life.”

Apparently, Brazil had a major impact on her career and she opened up this week in an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle about her career and 18 years of actually living in Brazil:

Although she went on to work with such other noted songwriters and producers as Thom Bell, Jerry Ragovoy, Barry Manilow, Stevie Wonder and Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, she always comes back to Bacharach and David. She appears Saturday at the Castro Theatre in a concert produced by the Rrazz Room. She spoke by telephone from her New Jersey home, where she lives when she’s not at her other home in Brazil.

Q: When did you move to Brazil?

A: About 18 years ago. I’ve been living in Rio for the past 15 years. I’m moving to a wonderful place called Bahia. It’s in the northern region of Brazil, going up toward the Amazon. It is absolutely glorious. It’s on the ocean, of course. I think all of Brazil is on the ocean. It has part of the rain forest there. I call it my paradise. It’s where I need to be at this point in my life. I’m still looking. As soon as I find the place that says ‘This is it,’ I’m moving. I try to get down every two or three months. It hasn’t worked out so well this year so far.

Warwick’s Aquarela Do Brasil is available for purchase at Connect Brazil.

February’s Brazilian Datebook

1

(1911) Composer Pedro Caetano born in Bananal (SP). One of the most elegant and inspired composers of MPB.  Author of the “Botões de Laranjeira” and “A Dama de Vermelho”.  Caetano  died in Rio on July 27, 1992.

2

(1889) Luís Peixoto, partner with Ary Barroso of the lovely song “Na Batucada da Vida”. Peixoto died on Nov. 14, 1973. (1959) Singer and composer Lenine born in Recife (PE). (1997)Composer and singer Chico Science died in an automobile accident.  He led the cult band Nação Zumbi.

3

(1914) Composer Hervé Cordovil born in Viçosa (MG).  (1998) Poet and journalist Silvio Caldas dies in Atibaia (SP).  

4

(1959) Singer and composer Zeca Pagodinho (Jesse Gomes da Silva) born in Rio de Janeiro (RJ).  One of the most popular and successful musicians in Brazil.  (1923) Singer and composer Preto Rico born in Rio de Janeiro (RJ).

5

(1932) Singer Lana Bittencourt born in Rio de Janeiro (RJ).

6

(1913) Dona Zica (Eusébia Silva de Oliveira) born in Rio de Janeiro.  She founded the Samba School Mangueira and was the wife of composer Cartola.  Dona Zica died on Jan 22, 2003.

7

(1900)  Broadcaster Renato Murce born in Rio de Janeiro (RJ).  He was responsible for starting the careers of many musicians.  Murce died on Jan. 25, 1987.  (1928) Journalist and researcher of MPB José Ramos Tinhorão born in Santos (SP). Musician and arranger Rogério Duprat born in Rio de Janeiro(RJ).  Associated with the Tropicália movement, arranged “Tropicália  ou Panis et Circenses”. Duprat died on Oct. 26, 2006.

8

(1921) Great singer of Sambas, Roberto Palva, born in Rio de Janeiro(RJ).  Popular during the 40’s and 50’s as an interpreter of the songs of Wilson Batista and Geraldo Pereira.

9

Frevo Day 

(1909) Singer Carmen Miranda born in Porto, Portugal.  She came to Brazil when she was 2 years old with her family.  She started her career at the Radio Club of Brazil in 1930, singing the song “Taí” by Jouber de Carvalho.  Known for her colorful costumes and Bahian turbans.  In 1939 she left Brazil for United States and soon became the highest paid actress in Hollywood.  She died in the US on Aug. 5, 1955.

10

(1947) Pianist and composer Antônio Adolfo born into a musical family.  Toured with Milton Nascimento and Elis Regina, and his music has been covered by many other great singers. Adolfo hás written several books on Brazilian music.   Currently teaching at his own music school in Hollywood, Florida(US).

11

(1904) Singer Zé Carioca (José do Patrocínio Oliveira) born in Jundiaí (SP).  He was the inspiration for the Walt Disney character, Zé Carioca.  He died in Los Angeles on Dec. 22, 1987.  (1941) Pianist, arranger, producer and composer Sérgio Mendes born in Niteroi (RJ). Active 1961 to present.  Mendes has released 35 albums, and plays Bossa Nova crossed with Jazz and Funk.  Mendes has lived in USA since 1964, and had a lot of success in the mid 60’s-70’s and more recently with 2006 release “Timeless”. 

12

(1938) Singer and samba composer Martinho da Vila born in Duas Barras (RJ).  In 1965 he was already in the samba school Vila Isabel, for which he wrote and sang many sambas, such as “Iaiá do Cais Dourado”, “Carnaval de Ilusões” and “Onde o Brasil Aprendeu a Liberdade”. (1966) Singer and Instrumentalist Luciane Menezes born in Rio de Janeiro(RJ). One of the great voices of her generation.

13

(1928) Violinist and teacher Gilda Valença born in Lisbon, Portugal. 

14

(1918) Instumentalist and composer Jacob do Bandolim(Jacob Pick Bittencourt) born in Rio de Janeiro(RJ).  He is known for his choros such as “Doce de Coco”, “Noites Cariocas” and “Receita de Samba”.  He died on Aug. 13, 1969.  (1926) Pianist and composer Newton Mendoça born in Rio de Janeiro(RJ).  He partnered with Tom Jobim and others, and was important to Bossa Nova music.  He died on Nov. 22, 1960.

15

(1905) Composer Waldemar Henrique born in Belém do Pará(PA).  He explored the Amazon and indigenous culture, and incorporated it into his music. He died in Belem on March 29,1985. (1915) Clarinetist and choro composer Abel Ferreira born in Minas Gerais. 

16

(1957) The controversial Governor of São Paulo, Jânio Quadros, forbid any public dancing with Rock and Roll music.

17

(1973) Composer and instumentalist Pixinguinha (Alfredo Rocha Viana Filho) died in a church during a baptism in Rio de Janeiro.

18

(1939) Composer Marlos Nobre born in Recife, (PE).  He has conducted orchestras around the world and won several composer’s competitions.

19

(1921) Guitarist Fafa Lemos born in Rio de Janeiro(RJ). Died on Oct. 18, 2004.  (1942) Singer Nara Leão born in Vitória (ES). She went on to become an icon in Bossa Nova music and a muse for Bossa Nova musicians.  She was also known for having perfect knees, a clear voice and being unlucky in love.  She was part of the historic show “Opinião” in 1964. She died in Rio on June 7, 1989.

20

(1951) Composer, instrumentalist, arranger and producer Eduardo Souto Neto born in Rio de Janeiro(RJ).  From a noble Brazilian musical family, he is the son of pianist and composer Nelson Souto and grandson of composer Eduardo Souto.

21

(1795) Composer Francisco Manuel da Silva born, author of  the Brazilian national anthem. (1928) Singer and arranger Severino Filho born in Belem(PA).

22

23

(1923) Great singer of the 40’s radio era Isaurinha Garcia (Isaura Garcia Mendoça born. Died on Aug. 30, 1993. (1949) Singer and composer Nego Nelson born in Belem(PA).

24

(1949) In a fierce contest Marlene won the battle for Queen of Radio over Emilinha.

25

(1945) Writer, researcher, and folklorist Mario de Andrade died in São Paulo.

26

(1939) Singer Wilson Simonal born in Rio de Janeiro (RJ). Died June 25, 2000.   (1944) Singer Maria Creuza born in Esplanada(BA). Toured internationally with Vinicius de Moraes in the 60’s.  (1944) Instrumentalist Déo Rian born in Rio de Janeiro(RJ).

27

(1900) Composer Luís Americano born in Aracaju(SE).  (1971) Singer Mônica Salmaso born in São Paulo(SP).

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(1945) Composer, journalist and writer Abel Silva born in Cabo Frio(RJ).  One of the most important lyricists of MPB, partnered with Edu Lobo and João Bosco, among others.  (1968) Singer and composer Teresa Cristina born in Rio de Janeiro(RJ). 

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(1856) Composer , conductor, and pioneer of Brazilian music Domingos Muçurunga died in São Paulo.

Brazil’s capital Brasilia was the focus of religion and religious music over the weekend as part of the annual “Folia de Reis” festival.

The festival celebrates the Three Wise Men’s visit to the Christ child. The event highlights the importance of religion within the country. ABC News noted the following:

During the “Folia de Reis” at the weekend musicians sang of religion and love accompanied by folk instruments. Three Wise Men dressed in colorful gowns, blessed the music as they kissed each group’s emblematic flags at the end of the performances.

Only 20 minutes away from Brasilia’s endless roundabouts and world-renowned architecture, people from all over Latin America’s largest country gather on the outskirts of the city once a year to celebrate the event.

Texas gets in on the Carnival scene with the live-music hotbed of Austin hosting the Carnaval Brasileiro on Feb. 20 at the Palmer Events Complex.

Billed as one of the largest Brazilian carnivals outside of Brazil, this annual party has been around since 1975 and features authentic music, drumming, costumes, and plenty of Texas-sized Brazilian fun.

The event costs $35 and organizers say this about your ticket to the event:

You get admission to the best, wildest, craziest party you could ever want to attend. Two live Brazilian bands provide non-stop dance music…come in comfortable shoes, and be ready to dance for five hours straight! And be ready to see some outlandish costumes.

Has anyone attended the event? What are your thoughts?