Adeus Mestre Caymmi!

It’s taken me some days to post this entry because it is so personal to me. When I learned of Dorival Caymmi’s passing last week, it took me to a nostalgic place. 

My avô (grandfather) was a big fan of Caymmi and in many ways the two favored each other in appearance.  Upon my avô’s death he left a collection of old recordings to my dad; among them were many of Dorival Caymmi’s albums. 

When we first came to the States, my dad would play Dorival on Sunday afternoons. I would break down and cry.  I would ask him to take me back to Brazil. That I missed my grandparents or that it was just too cold here.  After a while I got used to life in America and it was comforting to hear Dorival’s voice in our New York City apartment; especially during those long, cold and dark winters.  Every time I hear Dorival’s songs it reminds me of that time and how we got through those first years in a new country.

Dorival Caymmi left his native Bahia as a young man to go to Rio.  There at the age of 16 he wrote his first hit “O Que É Que a Baiana Tem” (What is it about Bahian women?).  This was Carmen Miranda’s first hit.  It is said that it was Dorival who taught Carmen how to shake her hips like a Bahiana.  Dorival wrote over 100 songs and recorded 20 albums. His musical style was based on Afro-Brazilian rhythms and the folkloric sounds of Bahia.  Antonio Carlos Jobim called him a “universal genius” and our country’s greatest composer.

Dorival is a Brazilian national treasure who will be greatly missed.

Cesar Cielo Filho Wins Gold for Brazil

 

I am convinced.  Michael Phelps is an amphibian.  You can’t help but stand in admiration of the man. He is simply an amazing athlete to watch.  Last night was especially sweet for me. Brazil’s Cesar Cielo Filho won the men’s 50m freestyle final.  Cesar Cielo Filho won the gold medal in an Olympic record time of 21.30.  Thank you Cesar.  I was beginning to feel some kind of way.  

Rio Olympics 2016

Like millions around the world I watched with anticipation the opening ceremony for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing last Friday.  Although I have some issues with China’s policies in Dafur, I wanted to see the Brazilian and US teams walk into the Bird’s Nest.  The opening ceremony did not disappoint.  It will probably go down in history as being one of the most spectacular.

I couldn’t help thinking how wonderful it would be to have a city in Brazil host the 2016 Olympics.  Well, Rio de Janeiro is in the running.  The Brazilian Olympic Committee must submit it’s proposal by February 2009.  Rio de Janeiro will be visited in June 2009 by the International Olympic Committee.

So keep your fingers crossed.  The host city will be named October 2, 2009 in Copenhagen.  Rio’s rival cities are Chicago,Tokyo, Baku, Doha, Madrid and Prague. 

 

Rest in Peace Black Moses

Black Moses…it’s a stormy Monday and you will be greatly missed.

Read more about Isaac Hayes

Jipjop Flamenkillo

 

I’m a world music junkie.  Years ago on my first trip to Southern Spain, I fell madly-deeply in love with flamenco.  I like what’s happening with the genre and how some groups have added some interesting twists to this amazing music that so strongly identifies Spain. 

Ojos de Brujo (Eye of the Wizard) is an eight-piece band from Barcelona, Spain.  They describe their style as “jipjop flamenkillo” (hip hop with a little flamenco). Although flamenco is central throughout their music, it is combined with other influences including Afro-Cuban, rap and scratching with a little hint of turntablism from hip-hop and Indian music.  This is bliss!

Enjoy!

 

Caipirinha Anyone?

It’s been a stressful month and my posts have been slow in coming.   How I would love to be sitting on the beach somewhere…anywhere drinking a caipirinha.  For now it’s my deck and a view of the Delaware river’s dark waters.  It’s OK.  I have my love and half a bottle of Cachaça.

Cachaça (Ka-sha-sa) is made from sugar cane like rum.  The only difference is that most rum is usually made from molasses while Cachaça is made from fresh sugarcane juice that’s fermented and distilled.  Brazilians love Cachaça and the Caipirinha is our national cocktail.  Cachaça is also great straight up.

 Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ounces Cachaça
• 1 lime
• 2 teaspoons of super fine sugar

Directions

• Cut the lime into four wedges.
• Muddle the lime and sugar in a shaker (if you want to do it Brazilian style just do it right in the glass.  No need to be fancy)
• Fill the shaker with ice and add Cachaça.
• Shake vigorously.
• Serve in a rocks glass.
• Garnish with a slice of lime.

That’s it!
Happy Friday!

Bom Feeling!

“Bom Feeling” is what Lusophones* say when they want to say “have a good time or stay cool.”  It is also one of the songs on Sara Taveres’ new album Balancê.  Sara Tavares is a Cape Verdean artist who is making a big slash not only in Portugal where she was born but all over the world.   ”Songs come to me as prayers,” she says and I can hear why.   Her songs are filled with introspection and depth.  Sara can easily be playing up her incredible beauty but she sticks to her gifts; her guitar, poetry and commitment to Cape Verdean youth who she consistently encourages to be positive and stay on the right path.  

I have a special love of Cape Verde. I love the music and the language. I have grown up listening to Kriolu, (a creole language of Portuguese), in addition to Portuguese, English and Spanish in my home.  When my family first arrived in the United States we lived for a year in Boston with my uncle Bene and his beautiful wife Ava, a Cape Verdean native.  New England is full of Lusophones,  especially, Cape Verdeans.  It is said that there are more Cape Verdeans outside of their homeland than there are in the island chain itself. In the United States, the largest concentration is in New England.  It’s always good to go to Boston and hear Kriolu and Portuguese spoken, find familiar food and music I can’t easily find in Philadelphia. 

Some famous Cape Verdeans you may know are Jazz musician Horace Silver and basketball player Ryan Gomes.

Bom Feeling Everyone!

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* people who come from countries where the common language is Portuguese: Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, East Timor, Guinea-Bisseau, Macao, Mozambique, Portugal and Sao-Tome and Principe.

Can Films Change The World?

 

The Ball by Orlando Mesquita 2001

Can film change the world?  Probably not.  But those who watch them can.  I was recently introduced to Pangea Day, an organization who’s aim is to “use the power of film to strengthen tolerance and compassion while uniting millions of people to create a better future.”  Through the power of film this organization seeks to eliminate borders and help people see themselves in others.

Among the many short films on Pangea’s site you can watch, I was captivated by Orlando Mesquita’s The Ball.  Mesquita is a fellow Lusophone from Mozambique and an award winning filmmaker. Since 1984, Orlando Mesquita has edited, directed, and produced over 20 films, including features, educational programs, and documentaries. His projects explore the many facets of Mozambican life such as the role of women and war, refugees, and demobilized soldiers.

The Ball is a football story, in which the children have found a very interesting way to make a ball using condoms.  It pays homage to the creativity of poor children, many of them orphans in Mozambique’s central region.  As you enjoy the short film Orlando Mesquita wants you to think about how mistaken our statistics are in relation to condom use.

Pangea Day will facilitate community-building activities around the world connecting inspired viewers with numerous organizations which are already doing groundbreaking work.  I encourage you to visit their site for more information.

Watch other short films here.

Asa: Authentic Music from the Heart

Imagine simple music with a powerful message; where the focus is not on commercial success but on authenticity.  When I heard Asa’s voice on the cut “Fire in the Mountain” I got goose bumps.  I thought about Bob Marley and Tracy Chapman.  Asa (Asha) is a 25 year old artist of Nigerian descent born in Paris.  Her simplicity and fresh music is a blend of soul, reggae and jazz.  Be prepared to be moved by her guitar and her vibrant voice.  This is music straight from the heart.

To learn more about Asa visit her on MySpace

 

 

Fela! An Afrobeat Musical

If you’re a fan of Afrobeat and just happen to love Fela Kuti you will appreciate this.  Fela! A New Musical, will be playing off-Broadway this summer for a limited engagement starting July 29th thru September 21st.

In this new musical, directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Bill T. Jones with a book by Jim Lewis, audiences are welcomed into the extravagant, decadent and rebellious world of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti. Using his pioneering music (a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies), Fela! explores Kuti’s controversial life as artist, political activist and revolutionary musician. Featuring many of Fela Kuti’s most captivating songs and Bill T. Jones’s imaginative staging, this new show is a provocative hybrid of concert, dance and musical theater.

37 Arts Theatre
450 W. 37th Street
New York, NY 10018
Phone: 212-560-8912 (Box Office)
Tues: 7:00 PM 9:30 PM
Wed-Fri: 8:00 PM-10:30 PM
Sat: 2:00 PM-4:30 PM , 8:00-10:30pm
Sun: 2:00 PM-4:30 PM

For tickets 

 Check out this video from the late Fela Kuti