At Indy Jazz Fest 2018 Clarinet superstar Anat Cohen joins forces with cutting edge Brazilian ensemble “Trio Brasileiro” to explore Brazil’s traditional Choro music and its modern reflections.
Trio Brasileiro was formed in 2011 and is dedicated to performing traditional Choro music as well as their own contemporary compositions, inspired by Choro. The trio comprises of Douglas Lora – a celebrated guitarist and full time member of the award-winning Brasil Guitar Duo, Dudu Maia – one of Brazil’s finest mandolin virtuosos, and Drummer/Percussionist Alexandre Lora.
Choro music originated in 19th-century Rio de Janeiro. Very much like its contemporaries the Dixieland and early New Orleans jazz, it was created by the combination of traditional European dance forms like the polka, the waltz and the mazurka with African and South American rhythms. It is traditionally a vehicle for virtuosi improvisers.
Cohen has long been associated with the music of Brazil in general and Choro in particular. Her solo releases often include Brazilian or Brazilian-inspired compositions, often penned by Cohen.
This is the trio and Cohen’s second recorded collaboration, following their 2015 release Alegria Da Casa, which featured combination of traditional Choros and originals inspired by the traditional form. Rosa Dos Ventos is a fascinating next step in the evolution of this collaboration; it features only original compositions by the members of Trio Brasileiro and Anat Cohen.
The instrumentation on Rosa Dos Ventos is a take on the traditional Choro band – the characteristic 7-string guitar, clarinet, and Pandeiro are present. The traditional Bandolim (a Brazilian take on the Mandolin) in replaced by an unusual 10-String Bandolim (the traditional Bandolim has 4 sets of 2 strings for a total of 8), and the Pandeiro is joined by additional percussion instruments – among them the intriguing new pitched percussion instrument the “Hand Pan.”
The compositions move from the traditional to the daringly modern. Some contemporary indie-rock influences are present, traditional bitter-sweet Choros can be heard, the blues makes an appearance, Flamenco is explored, and indian-inspired drone-heavy compositions are offered. While travelling through these various styles and traditions, the musicians remain rooted in the improvisatory, virtuosic, grooving and deeply moving choro tradition. The genre-defying result is Choro – reimagined.
