MACUMBA!

Choro, also called chorinho, is often considered the “New Orleans Jazz of Brazil”. It is the father of samba, and the grandfather of bossa nova. The traditions that nurtured choro in Rio in the late 1800s are pretty much the same ones that brought about the danzón in Cuba, the beguine in Martinique, and ragtime in the United States. Countries were developing their own popular music and began to mix in elements from other cultures including European polka and African rhythms.

Leader and reed player Susanne Ortner, originally from Germany, is internationally known not only for her rich and expressive sound but also for the depth with which she devotes herself to any given genre, be it New Orleans Jazz, Klezmer, or most recently Brazilian choro. Susanne has already made a name for herself internationally for her expertise in choro though her online work within the facebook group “Choro Challenge,” which she created, as well as through her performances with highly regarded musicians within this style.

Her latest collaboration is with seven string guitarist Salvador Avila, percussionist/drummer Filipe Leite, and Kevin Wakefield on cavaquinho.

Salvador, originally from Argentina, is an intuitive and passionate player, well versed in a myriad of rhythms and styles of music, particularly those of Latin America. Filipe, from Brazil (Minas Gerais) provides the percussive element for Macumba, setting the groove, and sensitively adding color on pandeiro and drums. The latest addition to the group is Kevin Wakefield, whose cavaquinho is the rhythmic and harmonic glue to it all.

Macumba will hypnotise its listeners from the first note on with exuberant, and at times sensual melodies, and toe-tapping rhythms!

https://www.facebook.com/MacumbaNOLA/

www.ortnermusic.com

Host or Publisher Jeanne Jaubert