Scenes From South America

Scenes From South America

This summer, Afropop Worldwide invites you to return to South America in a special vignette presentation. Explore some compelling acts from Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru. The Afropop archives are full with perspectives and performances of some of the most intriguing acts from around the continent! Get to know a few of the great artists and styles that South America has to offer below.
Peru

Afro Peruvian researcher and renowned singer Susana Baca shares her insights into the lando, the trademark style for which she is best known. Susana's home in Lima doubles as the "Centro Experimental de Musica Negrocontinuo" (Institute of the Black Continuum), and she has held an important role in the musical history of Peru is as both researcher and performer. Purchase her album or download songs to hear more for yourself!

•Want more Afro Peruvian beats? Learn more about the styles and rhythms to be found in alongside the lando.

Brazil

Afropop Worldwide also travels to the lively cities of Brazil this week to explore its rich music scene and storied past. Sambista Martinho da Vila is well known for his samba performance, but when his

career started in the late 1960s he thought of himself solely as a composer. Thanks to the coaxing of record executives, Martinho da Vila 's career as a sambista has made him famous in for the last three decades. In an interview with Afropop, he offered insights into the politics of the samba and the role of Carnival in Brazil. Purchase his CD through Afropop today!

In São Paulo, the popular style of forro is known for its sensuality, the thrill of physical contact associated with the dance and music. Here we experience the wild popularity of musician Frank Aguiar, nicknamed "Caozinho” (the little dog) because of his signature “owww owww!” shout.

Also in São Paulo, get to know Chico Cesar and his unique sound. After growing up the youngest of seven children in poverty, Cesar beat the odds to win fame and acclaim. After being raised in the north of and then moving to São Paulo , Cesar understands the way music migrates through the country. In an interview with Afropop from his home in São Paulo , Cesar sheds light on the youth culture of the city and the attractiveness of forro among the twentysomething set. Read more about forro and its origins or get familiar with some choice Chico Cesar.

More sights and sounds of to get you on your feet this summer:
•See the documentary "Moro no Brasil", an intimate collection of performances from some of ’s top contemporary musicians. The DVD and soundtrack include performances by Seu Jorge and Margareth Menezes, and are in stores this summer, available on Milan Records.
•See Seu Jorge in concert! From sea to shining sea, catch the Brazilian sensation in a city near you this summer. Like last summer’s show, it’s sure to be an exciting time.

Ecuador

Travel across South America to the Pacific Coast and get to know the romantic and passionate music on the streets and in the hearts of musicians there today. In the capital city of Quito , Afropop had the unique opportunity to capture Paulina Tamayo’s performance of traditional Ecuadorian melodies before a crowded amphitheatre. Be sure to get caught up in her enchanting voice!

Ecuador is also a hot spot to hear the memorable tones of the marimba, an instrument that can be heard from Guatamala to Mozambique. Imagine bars of wood resonating with a richness much deeper than a xylophone. Now imagine such an instrument in play with the forty piece student orquesta of a cultural center in Quito! Afropop gives you a taste of this incredible sound available right here on our website!

Venezuela

The rhythms and styling of musicians in Venezuela are extremely diverse, and far from boring! Take the calypso influenced jams of the group Un Sol Pueblo, whose hit “Woman del Callao” became an international success when it was performed by Juan Luis Guerra. That song is an infectious example of the way that Un Sol Pueblo mixes Spanish and English lyrics for a “Spanglish” effect to their words. Lyrics are not all that gets mixed, as Un Solo Pueblo has been incorporating styles from all over in their many years as an ensemble, for example with the calypso sound apparent in their hits. Venezuelan Calypso can be heard day and night during the annual Carnival celebration!

•Want more from the musical land of Venezuela? Listen to Afropop Worldwide host Georges Collinet’s take on all the music awaiting you.

Craving even more of the exciting sounds of South America ?
Check out a vintage Afropop visit with these and other countries and artists, get other albums that Afropop recommends and as always, be sure to listen to Afropop Worldwide on a station near you for the latest and greatest in music across the African Diaspora!

Contributed by: Essie Lash

First published: www.afropop.org