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Marcio da Silva and Ariel Gragnani, both Brazilian born, will be joined by Bulgarian clarinettist Boyan Ivanov and percussionist Emmanuel MacDonald as they share some of their favourite ‘bossa nova’, samba, and choro numbers with us.These evenings exploring highlights of one of the best known of Brazilian music styles have become immensely popular. If you haven’t experienced an evening of ‘bossa nova’ music before, then we highly recommend this to you. If you have enjoyed one previously, then you will find some old favourites and some new gems to delight the ears. There is no doubt that the unique style of ‘bossa nova’ is captivating to listen to – its rhythmical complexity and unusual tonality are mesmerising.
Bossa nova is a style of Brazilian music which was developed and popularized in the 1950s and 1960s. In Brazil, the word ‘bossa’ is old-fashioned slang for something done with particular charm, natural flair or innate ability. In the 1950s ‘bossa’ was already in use by musicians as a word to characterize someone’s knack for playing or singing idiosyncratically. The phrase bossa nova means literally ‘new trend’ or ‘new wave’.
Bossa Nova music is a lyrical fusion of samba and jazz. It has at its core a rhythm based on samba, which combines the rhythmic patterns and feel originating in former African slave communities. Overall the rhythm has a swaying feel, with the emphasis on the second beat. In its purest form, bossa nova is usually associated with unaccompanied guitar with vocals, as created, pioneered, and exemplified by the legendary João Gilberto (1931-2019). Even in larger, jazz-like arrangements for groups, there is almost always a guitar that plays the underlying rhythm. The lyrical themes used as a basis for the songs include women, love, longing, homesickness, and nature.
The songs are by turns toe-tappingly evocative - designed to make you want to get up and dance - and intimate and highly seductive. Just what you need to spice up a cold January evening!
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
White Rock Theatre, White Rock, Hastings, United Kingdom
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