BRAZILIAN ACCORDION IN UK

Memory Brazil Project is back to Cafe Oto London after the success of the first event, which brought the Brazilian Ten-String guitar as a theme.

The project now will bring the “Brasil da Sanfona” (Accordion from Brazil), which will transport us to the regions where the instrument has a valuable place in traditional and folk culture, where it plays a part in the everyday lives of the people. This project is the culmination of a three-year cycle of travel, research, recital, and interview, bringing a profound immersion and understanding to the Brazilian world of the accordion.

FILM + MUSIC
A short screening film illustrating the accordion in Brazil + 2 accordionists bringing the different trend and styles of the instrument: Lula Alencar, acclaimed accordionist from the northeast of the country, will perform forró, baião and other regional rhythms blended with the contemporary and urban sounds from São Paulo, where he is currently based; and Luciano Maia, a virtuoso from Southern Brazil, who will bring the styles of his state, such as milonga and chamamé, which share a common influence across many regions including Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.
Luciano Maia (accordion, South) / Lula Alencar (accordion, Northeast) / Adriano Adewale (percussion) + Myriam Taubkin (director of the project)


HISTORY Created in Vienna in 1829, the accordion opened the door for harmonic, melodic, and rhythmic combinations never heard before in a single instrument. It’s popularity rapidly spread over Europe, and with the expansion of European immigration it also spread the world ever, arriving in Brazil in the second half of the 19th century. It didn’t take long several adepts artists to surface, and between 1940 and 1950 the accordion hit its heyday. Besides being called traditionally the harmonium, foley, goat’s foot, and many other nicknames; “Sanfona” is the name that definitively won the ears and hearts of the Brazilians. The project released two CDs, a DVD and concerts around Brazil.

MEMORY OF BRAZIL PROJECT The Memory of Brazil Project is a cultural project charting the significant musical movements of the country. Through a series of concerts, the project unites artists; weaves together historical figures and prominent personalities with musical revelations and innovations; documenting them all in books, CDs and DVDs, thus keeping Brazilian musical history alive through a celebration of the diversity of its instruments and styles.

“The Brazilian ten-string guitar duo perform their dazzling and intricate blend of folk, jazz and samba melodies.” TIME OUT Recommended (for the previous concert).

MORE INFO

More information: http://www.nucleocontemporaneo.com.br/projetos-especiais/brazilian-memory-project-in-london/

Support: The Embassy of Brazil

Photo by Marcos Hermes