HEARD OF NANÁ VASCONCELOS?

Juvenal de Holanda Vasconcelos, or Naná Vasconcelos,  was born in Recife in 1944. Even after two decades playing all around the world, he lived in Paris and New York, the influences of his homeland are present in everything that he does. He was for eight consecutive times acclaimed as the best drummer in the world by the U.S. magazine Down Beat. Gifted with an intense curiosity, ranging from the classical music of the Brazilian Villa-Lobos to the rocker Jimi Hendrix, Naná learned  how to play almost all percussion instruments, although in the 60’s he had specialized himself in the berimbau. Nana's work has always demonstrated the wideness of his talent, and in the 80’s he recorded the album "Saudade”, a concert for berimbau and orchestra. After that, he presented the albums "Bush Dance" and "Rain Dance", his experiments with electronic instruments.

 More detailed information about the artist can be found on his website - http://www.nanavasconcelos.com.br

CAPOEIRA, martial art or dance?

Capoeira is a martial art that grew from survival. It was created by slaves brought to Brazil from Africa, during the colonial period. People were brought from Angola, Congo and Mozambique, and with them, they brought their cultural traditions. They hid their martial art and traditions into a form of dance. The African people developed capoeira not only to resist oppression, but also for the survival of their culture and the lifting of their spirits. 

There are two main styles of capoeira. Mestre Bimba is recognized as the father of Capoeira Regional. The second main style is capoeira Angola, a slower and lower to the ground game retaining the rituals and traditions of capoeira.

Os senhores de engenho proibiam os escravos de praticar qualquer tipo de luta. Logo, os escravos utilizaram o ritmo e os movimentos de suas danças africanas, adaptando a um tipo de luta. Surgia assim a capoeira, uma arte marcial disfarçada de dança. Foi um instrumento importante da resistência cultural e física dos escravos brasileiros. Desenvolvida para ser uma defesa, a Capoeira foi sendo ensinada aos negros ainda cativos, por aqueles que eram capturados e voltavam aos engenhos. Para não levantar suspeitas, os movimentos da luta foram sendo adaptados às cantorias e músicas africanas para que parecessem uma dança. Assim, como no Candomblé, cercada de segredos, a Capoeira pode se desenvolver como forma de resistência. É claro que entre os praticantes sérios, em seus treinos, os golpes são apenas simulados e a Capoeira torna-se um exercício físico e mental. A violência dos seus golpes, no entanto, não deixa espaço para meio termo; ou joga-se Capoeira 'para valer', com as suas sérias consequências ou apenas simula-se um jogo. A possibilidade de enquadrá-la em regras esportivas é inexistente; quem assim o faz está sendo leviano ou não conhece de fato a Capoeira. 

Further readings on capoeira: http://www.capoeira.htmlplanet.com/capoeira_hist.htm
http://www.abrasoffa.org.br/folclore/danfesfol/capoeira.htm 
 

If you are into percussion, check this out: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbT8IiZdVKI&feature=fvwrel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRFQvO_K_1k&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrZJAhoWxvg&feature=fvwrel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7vpartSlfs&feature=related

CAPOEIRA: ARTE E POESIA