Music to Learn Brazilian Genres
Join me in a journey to discover the most different Brazilian music genres, with Abdallah Harati
featuring artists like
Jacob do Bandolim, Luiz Gonzaga, Clara Nunes, Jackson do Pandeiro, Martinho da Vila, Jararaca e Ratinho, Cartola, Fernanda Abreu
Welcome to the universe of the extremely diverse Brazilian music genres. By no means this playlist encompasses all of them, as that would be an impossible mission, but it is a very generic overview of what is out there, from the traditional styles played in my home country. You will notice that the few of the pop or rock’n roll are not there, as they are not originally Brazilian, and the focus is to show the local roots.
The journey begins with a traditional Choro, from Pixinguinha and played by Jacob do Bandolim. After that comes xote, traditional from the Northeast region and, as it couldn’t be complete without a traditional bossa-nova. More from the Northeast with a rhythm called côco, then a traditional waltz and back to Northeast with a beautiful forró and just after, a baião.
This trip takes us to one of the first songs recorded as samba. To show how broad this can go, the next one is a samba school, very typical in the carnival of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Brazil has a kind of a rap, which is called funk, and Fernanda Abreu does that with lots of charm. Back to an original pagode, played as partido alto and then, to the countryside of São Paulo, with a classical sertanejo.
In the South of Brazil, it is possible to find milongas and back to the North, repente, which requires not only playing but also the ability to sing very fast. Brazilian instrumental music started long time ago and one example is Lundu Característico, which shows the mix of European melodies and African rhythms – a good example on how the country was formed. The Brazilian jazz is very compelling with interesting explorations, showed by Airto Moreira.
In the later times, Lenine mixed fantastic Northeast songs with modern music, which contrast with the next one, played in a viola, which is a “guitar” with 10 strings. A typical samba, composed by Candeia and performed by Cartola needed to be there. Moving to the North of Brazil, you can experience the polyrhythmic Boi do Maranhão. One more modern forró to show the overall music evolution and a closure with Cantos de Trabalho, which are “working songs” from the people that worked in the agriculture and sang to work.
O Xote das Meninas – Alceu Valença
29 September 2021
This song, a typical Brazilian Xote is an invitation to find a partner and start dancing. Lyrics are telling the story of young girls that become women.Cochichando – Jacob do Bandolim
28 September 2021
Choro from Pixinguinha, played by Jacob do Bandolim and his band. Cochichando is a fantastic example of this magical Brazilian genre, which mixes the European classical song structure with the African rhythms.Bringing Brazilian Music to The World. What is Brazilian Guitar, or “Violão Brasileiro” (in Portuguese)? What about Choro or Seresta? What about Samba? Whether it's São Paulo or Mexico, Dallas or Dubai, Hanoi or Nairobi, Munich or Helsinki, Abdallah Harati uses his guitar to create an insight to the soul of Brazil.
Musician, producer and business strategist, Abdallah Harati is originally from São Paulo, Brazil, grew up in São José dos Campos and since 2015 has been established in Munich, Germany. Prior to that, Abdallah has lived in Guatemala City, Mexico City , San Juan, Dallas, Stockholm, Dubai, Hanoi and Nairobi.
Since the pandemic started, early 2020, Abdallah has released several singles and 1 EP independently in the most popular digital music platforms. His songs were featured in famous blogs like All About Jazz (https://www.allaboutjazz.com), added to the "Relaxing Spanish Guitar" and "Violão Brasileiro" Spotify Editorial Playlist. Abdallah is reaching approximately 2500 streams per day. Additionally, Abdallah is also producing other independent musicians and artists, under the Harati Media label. Several collaboration videos, with remote musicians in different parts of the world, were created by him and generated lots of traction in the virtual environment.
In his childhood, Abdallah grew up in a musical environment not only with his mother but also with his grandparents playing traditional Brazilian music. Uncles and cousins, some amateurs, other professional musicians, music quality was always a must.
He started learning music with flute, piano and finally the classical guitar. However, the home influence of Choro, Seresta and Samba was very strong. Graduated as Electronic Engineer, at the College in Bauru (countryside of São Paulo, Brazil), he had several programs to his credit at the Radio UNESP and performed several concerts. He had the pleasure to appear as the opening acts for famous artists such as Oswaldo Montenegro and Tom Zé. Awarded as best guitar solo performer at the USP Music Festival in 1994 and 1995, he was already part of the Choro Club in São José dos Campos. He was part one of the most important Choro initiatives (Escola Portátil de Música), led by Luciana Rabello, Maurício Carrilho, Pedro Amorim, Álvaro Carrilho and Celsinho Silva. He has travelled all over the world and spent time at Berklee College of Music in Boston and Granada, Spain, at the Carmen de Las Cuevas.
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