mpb

(musicabrasileira.org)

With so many styles of music in Brazil, from sertanejo to mangue bit, bossa nova to funk, how is anyone supposed to know everything? It's not even a title I claim for myself though my musical quest did start 10 years ago. The first song I remember hearing from Brazil was either Zeca Baleiro's Essas Emoções or Max de Castro’s Onda Diferente. After that, I went commercial and listened to anything I could find playing on Brazilian radio stations. It was my way of feeling closer to Brazil despite being half a world away. It wasn’t long after that I started finding my own taste and that’s what I want to offer you now, some singers and songs you may not have heard of yet. READ MORE>

This old Brazilian song called Amigo é pra essas coisas was popping in my mind for no apparent reason. The lyrics are a dialogue between old friends who meet at a bar. One of them is feeling pretty down because his girlfriend broke up with him. You know how they say that there is a reason for something to insist on popping in your mind? Last week, while singing it in the shower, it occurred to me that Portuguese learners would benefit a lot from the song. It is a casual dialogue between friends and although it was written a few decades ago, most of its language is still current and useful. READ MORE>

I recently fell in love with the music of Luisa Maita. Her first album Lero-Lero is as Street Smart as it gets. Do you know what "lero-lero” means? It means a casual conversation without a goal in mind; or simply chit-chat :) How could I not love this album? READ MORE>

Street Smart Brazil is one more time proud to sponsor Joseh Garcia in concert!

Joseh Garcia is a San Francisco based Brazilian singer of MPB (Brazilian pop music) whose audience has reached Canada, Italy, Brazil, and France. He has is launching his first EP, Bossa a Trois, made of original songs that blend Brazilian pop with French downtempo music. The EP is produced by Daniel Masson, known worldwide for his compilations for Buddha-Bar (Paris). This album has received a 5 star review by REVIEWYOU reviewer Matthew Forss. READ MORE>

We have two wonderful Brazilian musical events coming up in San Francisco: Seu Jorge and Olodum.

<------ Seu Jorge

Seu Jorge will be performing on August 10 at The Regency Ballroom. Tickets are on sale. This will be a big event and I expect to see tons of Brazilians at the concert. READ MORE>

Street Smart Brazil is proud to sponsor "TEMPO: A Brazilian Musical Journey" on June 18th in San Francisco.

I recently had the pleasure to meet Joseh Garcia, a talented Brazilian musician who lives -- and sings -- here in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA. Joseh told me about his creative projects that range from publishing an album through an Italian label to recording in France to creating a show that puts together Brazilian and Middle Eastern music. Joseh has a fascinating relationship with music: He uses words such as  enchantment, healing, and transformation to define his work. READ MORE>

In November, we wrote about the exhibition "When Lives Become Form: Contemporary Brazilian Art, 1960's to Present” at the Yerba Buena Center of the Arts. We went and had a great time. Now John Shepherd, the film curator there, has written us about a very interesting event that is happening this week.   READ MORE>