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Samba The dance that wakes up Carnival in Brazil
Latin America / Brasil
“The samba” The dance that wakes up Carnival in Brazil
Despite the fact that carnivals are known worldwide for their costumes and samba parties, none is as good as the carnival that takes place in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, especially in the Sambadrome, known for being one of the largest open-air spaces in the city. city where one can hold big events.
The Brazilian Carnival or the Carioca Carnival is a great event where Brazilians and tourists meet to dance and see the great festivals offered by the different dance academies and/or samba studios where the evaluation of each one will depend on the rhythm, participation, costumes and the originality of the parade.
Samba is the national music of Brazil, which has Afro-Brazilian origin of 2 times 4 times but the beginning was specifically in Angola before reaching Brazil; It currently has a style that has currently received many fusions and is very varied.
To learn to dance it, one begins with the progressive basic movement that consists of the normal basic step and the lateral basic step (left and right, front and back), then the whisk step that consists of the variation of the lateral basic step and instead of carrying the other foot next to the leading foot, you will take it backwards if you want to know all the details of this step visit the following page (https://es.wikihow.com/bailar-samba), the next step is the stationary walk of samba where the person who performs it in a closed position holding the partner with both hands, unlike the position explained at the beginning; the arms should be extended.
The leader will have his left leg extended behind him, while the follower will have the same position but with his right leg behind him, the inside leg will be the one that stabilizes him and in this way the couple will not move and will stay in one place.
The samba walk is the displacement that is carried out in a very similar way to the stationary one, but in a walking position; it is very similar to the closed one, but it forms an open “V”; the left side of the leader and the right side of the follower should be slightly turned outwards so that the opposite sides of both are next to each other. To perform this move, start with your outside leg diagonally behind your inside stabilizer leg.
One of the secrets so that the movement reflects the essence of this music is the “rebote” between one step and another, there must be a fluid transition that engages the whole body and to achieve this it is possible to think that we are constantly stepping on different objects that appear in our way and that we quickly try to lift our foot so as not to break them. It is very important that this bounce is expressed with the whole body, and not just with the legs.
Among the recommendations to perform an effective and great dance is concentration and looking forward over the shoulders of your partner.
Among the many benefits that dances give, Samba has certain privileges not only physically but also psychologically.
- On a physical level:
- Strengthens the legs, as it tones them since the movements are very fast and continuous.
- Flat stomach, since in the dance they must have the abdominals contracted and the body stretched.
- Slims the hip for extensive movements.
- On a psychological level: it releases stress since the person plays sports by practicing it, in such a way that it helps the body to release tension, resulting in fun and relaxation.
Now that we know more about samba and its influence on carnival at an international level, can we say that it is a single style? Well, no… Did you know that the “Carnival” differs in the different ways in which it is carried out or developed in each city?
It is true that there are many traits in common, such as their origins and motivations. One of the most attractive characteristics in Brazil is that it takes place in the open air, which means that the visitor has a more active participation at a lower cost and can dance and enjoy the shows and/or shows that take place during the marches.
by the academies with their dancers wearing their best costumes and Samba steps as well as the allegorical cars and also the public can enjoy and see the electric trios (they are musical groups that travel the city in equipped trucks playing music) at street parties river; and not only in “Rio” it is celebrated but it can be found in Recife and Olinda, in Salvador de Bahía, the city where Samba was born – Florianópolis, among others.
These cities have an architectural beauty that seduces the visitor and transports them historically both historically and culturally.
If you want to have your own experience, do not miss the next carnival in Brazil 2020 that will take place from February 21 to 26, you can buy your tickets here https://www.carnavales-brasil.com/rio-brasil/carnaval /tickets-tickets/dates-2020/buy .
Latin America – October 2019
Europe – October 2019
Soneros Birthdays Party
Soneros Birthdays Party
Omara Portuondo, Ismael Rivera, Jimmy Bosch, and Luisito Carrión celebrate their birthdays this month
October is filled with talent and it’s that in this month a hurricane of brilliant artists of the Salsero genre was born, who have captivated us and have shown their Gift before hundreds of audiences around the world. These Latin Stars have bathed us in SABOR with their lyrics and infected with joy with their melodies. It for that, this month we celebrate their births and dance to the rhythm of the applause towards them. Happy Birthday, Soneros!
Omara Portuondo (October 29, 1930)
Omara was born in La Habana (Cuba). Her first encounter with music was at a very early age. Just as in any other Cuban home, the future singer and her siblings grew up with the songs which her parents, for lack of a gramophone, sang to them. Those melodies, some of which still form part of her repertoire, were young Omara’s informal introduction to the world of music.
She and her sister Haydee sang well-known American group “Los Loquibambla” and their style, a Cubanised version of the Bossa Nova with touches of American jazz, was known as “Feeling”. In their radio debut, Omara was introduced as “Miss Omara Brown, the girlfriend of Feeling”.
“Magia Negra” was her debut record released in 1959. It combined Cuban music with American jazz and included versions of “That Old Black Magic” and “Caravan”, by Duke Ellington. Later she joined one of Cuba’s most important orchestras, La Orchestra Aragón, with which she recorded several albums, such as the one she did with Adalberto Álvarez in 1984 and “Palabras and Desafíos” on which she was accompanied by Chucho Valdés.
However, Omara Portuondo catapulted to her well-earned fame was in the mid-1990s when she collaborated in the recording sessions for Buena Vista Social Club on which she sang “Veinte Años”.
She was the star of the third launching of the Buena Vista Social Club released in 2000 and she toured Europe, traveled to Japan, and performed in the USA and Canada.
Omara went back to the studio to record her second solo album “Flor de Amor” (World Circuit), which was produced by Nick Gold and Alê Siqueira, signals a change in direction in her career: it is an album marked by a more subtle sound and a richness of texture. Portuondo brought in a mixture of Cuban and Brazilian musicians for this album, and it is this factor which influences the particular style of the music.
Omara returned to Europe in 2004 to promote this album, performing at such illustrious venues as the North Sea Jazz Festival, Marble Hill House in London, Olympia in Paris and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. “Flor de Amor” was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Traditional Tropical Record category and the 16th edition of the Billboard Latin Music Awards (2005); this album obtained the Tropical Record of the Year award.
Later, Omara released “Gracias”, the record that marks her sixtieth year in the music business and won the Latin Grammy Award for the Best Contemporary Tropical Album. It was a very special night as Omara was there to receive the prize in person and she also presented one of the awards, the first time that a Cuban artist has done this. The album was also later nominated for a Grammy in the Best Tropical Latin Album category.
After touring with the Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club in Europe during 2010, “the girlfriend of Feeling” released the latest recording, Omara & Chucho (Montuno Producciones) in spring 2011. 14 years after their last joint album, they reunite once again to continue unravelling the thread of their first joint project, and show us their talents in the simplest, most unclad manner on a context that enables them to lay emphasis on some of the features that been characteristic of their music at various stages in their careers.
Omara will also tour with the Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club later in Europe and the U.S.
Ismael Rivera (October 5, 1931 – May 13, 1987)
Puerto Rican singer and songwriter contributed to the dissemination of the island’s native rhythms such as the Bomba and Plena, and he was one of the first standard-bearers of the Salsero movement of the decade, the reason for he was called “El Sonero Mayor” and also known for others by the nickname “Maelo”.
In 1952 he was hired as a singer for the Lito Peña’s Orquesta Panamericana with which he became known and reaped his first hits: “La vieja en camisa”, “La sazón de la abuela” and the most popular “El charlatán”, a song in Plena rhythm that was widely heard through the Puerto Rico’s local radio stations.
Two years later he left this group to join the Combo de Cortijo with whom he popularized “El bombón de Elena” by Rafael Cepeda Atiles, and as well as performed on Puerto Rican television in the “El Show del Mediodía”.
At the end of the ‘50s, they were presenting their shows at the prestigious New York club Palladium Ballroom, where they contributed to making popular the tropical rhythms imported from the island with great hits such as “El negro bembón”, “Maquinó Landera”, “Tuntuneco ”, and others.
Ismael Rivera’s triumphant career was interrupted in 1962 for paying four years under the laws of Puerto Rico for possession of narcotics. Then, after recovering his freedom, Ismael formed his musical ensemble “Los Cachimbos” and immersed himself in the nascent Salsero movement to which he contributed two classics such as “Dime por qué” y “Mi negrita me espera”.
In the mid-70s “El Sonero Mayor” became the ambassador of Salsa throughout America, working for the record label of the genre Fania, and triumphing with emblematic songs such as “De todas maneras rosas”.
In his facet as a composer, he wrote very notable pieces such as “Besito de Coco” (famous song by Celiz Cruz), “El incomprendido”, “Arrecotín, arrecotán”, “El que no sufre no vive”, y “Mi libertad eres tú among many others.
In his last years, he suffered a throat cancer that caused him to lose his voice and he died as a result of a heart attack. R.I.P MASTER!
Jimmy Bosch (October 18, 1959)
Jimmy Bosch was born in 1959 (New Jersey, U.S.). He is a world-renowned Trombonist, composer, singer, and bandleader in the world music genres. He has been performing professionally since age 13. Jimmy’s first two solo CDs, “Soneando Trombón” and “Salsa Dura” established him as the Ambassador of the Salsa Dura movement. He ignited this movement by combining old school quality salsa arrangements with a modern NY aggressive edge and socially conscious lyrics. “El Avión De La Salsa” demonstrates and solidifies his commitment to dancer centered music, while “A Millón” is the title of Jimmy’s 4th solo record released.
Appearing in over 100 recordings, Bosch “El Trombón Criollo de La Salsa” has garnered at least 10 Grammys and has toured with his orchestra, his sextet or as a solo artist, as well as with: Eddie Palmieri, Ruben Blades, Celia Cruz, Ray Barretto, Willie Colon, Manny Oquendo y Libre, FANIA Allstars, and the list goes on.
Jimmy has been featured throughout the world in major venues and festivals, including; Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center (NYC), Celebrate Brooklyn (NYC), Montreal Jazz (Canada), Madison Square Garden (NYC), Sydney Opera House (Australia), Barranquijazz (Colombia), El Poliedro and Teresa Careña (Venezuela), and many other important places.
Luisito Carrión (OCTOBER 26, 1962)
A native of Arecibo in Puerto Rico, Luisito Carrión has been singing since he was 13 years old. He began his career as a Salsa artist with the Orquesta Kafe, Orquesta La Nativa and Grupo Concepto Latino.
In his first performances, he sang along with Celia Cruz, Adalberto Santiago, and Santitos Colón. Later on, he was a member of Salsa Fever together with Julio “Gunda” Merced, were several hits come from: “Renta de Amor” and “Señores ahí va Julián”. Afterward, he joined the Bobby Valentín Orchestra, where he sang songs, such as: “El Señor de las Señoras”, “Ramos de flores”, “El Gigoló”, “Tributo de Cali” and “Como lo hago yo”. In his evolutionary process, Luisito joined the Orquesta Don Perignon where he sang “La Fuga” and later with the Sonora Porceña, where he performed songs, such as “Yaré” and “A Comer Lechón”.
In 1997, he recorded with Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Sound “Mi música 1997”. At the end of the 90s, Carrión began his career as a soloist with the record company MP Records with Julio “Gunda” Mercéd and Rafael Bodo Torres, which led to hits, such as: “Sin tu amor”, “La Chica Más Popular”, “Nadie Como Tú”, “Porque”, “Amiga Mía”, “Muriendo”, “Como Ave Sin Rumbo” and “Para Ser Real”. Nowadays, Luisito Carrión is one of the best Puerto Rico’s Soneros bringing on “Histeriaaaa…” in his fans.