Another remotely recorded lockdown video with Alvorada – this time ‘Amphibious’ by Moacir Santos (who I think of as a kind of Brazilian Duke Ellington).
Category: Brazil
Duas Contas with Gabriela Kozyra
A lockdown collaboration with Gabriela Kozyra.
Gabi is one of my favourite singers to play with, we share a love of a certain kind of deep, soulful, heartfelt music. I suggested doing something together, and she chose this beautiful song, ‘Duas Contas’ by Garoto.
If you enjoy this, then check out Gabi’s album ‘Noites Brasileiras’, featuring the absolute cream of choro and samba musicians from Rio. Happy memories of playing those tunes for gigs in London and Poland last year, I hope we’ll do it again some day…
Engomadinho with Jacque Falcheti
Another video recorded remotely in lockdown, this time with the wonderful Jacque Falcheti. We played together earlier this year when she was in London as part of her European tour. Delighted that we’ve now made this collaboration between here and Riberão Preto in Brazil.
This is a choro-samba called ‘Engomadinho’ – meaning smart, dapper, dressed up…!
Alvorada play Gostosinho
Alvorada have put together a new video – all recorded remotely while in Covid-19 lockdown.
Today is National Choro Day in Brazil, and marks the birthday of Pixinguinha. This is our version of ‘Gostosinho’, by another great choro composer, Jacob do Bandolim.
Guest appearance with Telecoteco
This Friday, February 21st, I’m looking forward to playing with Telecoteco, a duo exploring samba and choro. I first met singer and pandeiro player Jacque Falcheti in Brazil in 2014, and so it’s a pleasure to get to play with her and guitarist José Miranda on this date, part of their 2020 European tour. The gig is at the intimate Basement Bar at the Green Note: www.greennote.co.uk/production/telecoteco
Songlines nomination and Dorset photos
Alvorada had a great time in Dorset, playing to some packed venues around the county and meeting lots of new listeners, most of whom were hearing choro for the first time.
While we were away we also were delighted to discover that we’ve been nominated for Best Group in the Songlines Music Awards 2020. You can vote for us here:
www.songlines.co.uk/awards/2020
(closes midnight on Friday 31st January)
Alvorada Dorset mini-tour and Harrison show
Alvorada’s first shows of 2020 are just around the corner.
We play three dates in Dorset on January 23rd – 25th, as part of the Artsreach Rural Touring programme. We’ll be performing at venues in Wootton Fitzpaine, Portesham and Chetnole. Info and booking here: artsreach.co.uk/event/alvorada
Then on February 1st we’re back in London at one of our favourite venues, The Harrison. Book tickets here: www.wegottickets.com/event/493042
Gabriela Kozyra shows
Here are some photos from a couple of recent gigs with singer Gabi Kozyra. We were performing music again from her amazing album, Noites Brasileiras, which focuses on previously unpublished and unrecorded Brazilian songs.
We played in a trio with Walter Lopes at the Sands Film Studios (a unique and tucked away little gem of a place in Rotherhithe), and then travelled to Poland to play at the Raciborski Cultural Centre, with Walter, Andres Ticino and Sam Watts. Also enjoyed some excellent Polish food and drink while we were over there!
Alvorada at London Jazz Festival
Alvorada’s performance in the London Jazz Festival was a great evening. We played to a sold out crowd at the Elgar Room in the Royal Albert Hall, playing music from ‘First Light’ alongside new material that we’ve been working on this year. We also had the special pleasure of inviting the amazing pianist, John Turville, to join us for a few tunes. He brought something very different to the music, and it was a delight to have him with us.
Photos: Captured by Liz
© Liza Heinrichs
Last gigs of the decade
Just a few more gigs left this year before we enter the ’20s!
This Saturday, November 16th, Alvorada play at the Elgar Room in the Royal Albert Hall, as part of the London Jazz Festival. A couple of days after, on November 18th, I’ll be playing in Showstopper: The Improvised Musical at the Lyric Theatre.
At the end of the month I have two gigs with Gabriela Kozyra, playing repertoire from her sumptuous album ‘Noites Brasileiras’. First on November 27th alongside Walter Lopes at Sands Films Studio, and then we travel to Poland to play at Raciborskie Cultural Centre on November 30th, also with Sam Watts and Andres Ticino.
Last up, on December 14th, I’ll be with London Vocal Project at Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho. We’ll be performing a mixture of our unique arrangements of Christmas songs, alongside tunes from a new project – the James Taylor Songbook.
See the gigs page for links to more info.
ANDREW WOOLF 