After a successful run performing at the Earth Day Fest, French Quarter Festival, and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival this past spring and a brief summer hiatus while some of the band travelled, the samba funk band is back in town. The set tonight starts at 8:30 PM despite some reports saying the set time is 10:30 PM.
There will be one change in the lineup at Chickie Wah Wah. Joe Cabral, best known as the saxophonist in the Iguanas, will be playing bass. Otherwise expect to see Brazilians Eduardo Tozzatto and Tedo Oliveira on vocals/ keys and vocals/ percussion respectively along with saxophonist Brent Rose, drummer Gabriel Velasco, and leader/ guitarist Scott Myers.
As discussed last week, Brazilian music and Brazilian-inspired music is in the middle of a renaissance in New Orleans. While some of the bands, such as Organica, are more jazz focused, Chegadão is a straight up Brazilian dance party.
They play a variety of sounds from a nation known for a vast swath of musical styles. I asked Myers for a list of some of the songs and styles which will be appearing on the set list.
He mentioned two songs by Gilberto Gil, the iconic Tropicália performer, “Chiclete Com Banana” and “Esperando Na Janela.” The former is a samba and the later a xote. Cajun dancers will immediately be drawn to the xote rhythms.
They will also play “Vem Morena” by Luiz Gonzaga. Gonzaga is known as “the King of baião” since he invented the style and spread its sound across the country from its roots in the northeastern state of Pernambuco.
Also expect to hear “Carolina” by Seu Jorge. Played in the samba-funk style, this tune is the most modern on Myers’ short list. Jorge may be best known among American listeners for his Portuguese renditions of David Bowie’s songs in the Bill Murray film, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.
Despite my rather academic exposition, keep in mind that these genre categories don’t matter one bit when they are playing because this band grooves big time.
