Diego Zambrano
August 23, 2011
Diego Zambrano began his musical journey when he was only 10 years old, influenced by musicians like David Weckl, Dennis Chambers and Alvaro Lopez. He also is very influenced by Latin and Colombian rhythms. He started to play with a Gospel band when he was 13 years old; showing his great abilities to play the drums. At the age of 17, he recorded his first album called “Palabra Fiel”. Diego has participated in several events in Australia, such as, Multicultural Festival (Brisbane), Colombian National Day (Brisbane), Multicultural Festival (Canberra), Darling Harbour Fiesta (Sydney), Planet (Brisbane), Mackay Festival of Arts (Mackay), Fete de la Musique (Brisbane), among others.
Rivercity Steel
July 27, 2011
The Rivercity Steel Band is a not-for-profit community steel band playing Caribbean style music.
Steel pan music was introduced to Southeast Queensland some thirty years ago when Alvin Rostant toured Australia with Amral Khan’s Trinidad Cavaliers Steel Band. He later teamed up with guitarist Paul Santiago and formed the Australian Academy of Steel Drums. The Rivercity Steel Band evolved from one of the Academy’s workshops and was formed in 2008. Alvin is the band’s leader and music director.
The band rehearses at West End State School on Tuesday evenings. Membership to this friendly, welcoming band is open to people of all ages from all walks of life and musical ability. In true Caribbean spirit, rehearsals are conducted in a relaxed, informal manner and the hands-on approach means there is no need to be able to read music. Two free try out sessions are offered to prospective members.
The band performs regularly at various locations around Southeast Queensland including Brisbane City Council parks, festivals, local farmer’s markets, and community events. Recent performances include the Queensland Multicultural festival and the Ipswich Festival.
Further information is available from the band’s website: http://www.rivercitysteel.webs.com/ or
contact: rivercitysteelband@hotmail.com; 0434 850 482 or 0434 420 417
Samples of the band’s music can be heard on you tube: www.youtube.com/user/rivercitysteel
Latinoz
November 9, 2010
Led by Colombian percussionist Hugo Salcedo, TNT performs an opulent mix of Cuban and Colombian rhythms, Caribbean breezes and New York vibes. They pay homage to the spirit of old, hard-core Salsa, and shake it up with the sounds of today.
Band Members:
- Hugo Salcedo
- Dalia Luna
- Adrian Medina
- Gilli Atkinson
- Shireen Khemlani
- Mark Ferguson
- Warren Heading
- James Nikkerud
- James Arias
For more information,
http://www.latinogrooves.com.au/latin_band.htm
Jason Machado Trio
November 9, 2010
Jason Machado has been performing Brazilian popular music for over 15 years in Australia and Brazil, a country famous for its extraordinary music and it’s sensuous melodious language. He has been featured at many festivals held at Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane Festival, the Queensland Music Festival’s ‘Spiegeltent’. Jason’s trio will take you on a journey through the exotic world of MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira), one of the greatest examples of cultural fusion, which has been described by the Courier-Mail as “perhaps a Brazilian-style answer to the Buena Vista Social Club”.
JASON MACHADO TRIO
Jason Machado has been performing Brazilian popular music for over 20 years on both the eastern coasts of Australia and Brazil, singing a selection of the wonderful songs from Brazil – a country famous for its extraordinary music and its sensuous, melodious language. On voice and seven-string guitar Jason Machado is joined by cellist Danielle Bentley and drummer Massimo Sportelli, who together weave the intricacies of those buoyant samba rhythms.
“…chilled and sophisticated, providing an opportunity for couples to slow dance…perhaps a Brazilian-style answer to the Buena Vista Social Club.” Rachel Langford – The Courier Mail.
MÚSICA POPULAR BRASILEIRA
MPB or Música Popular Brasileira is one of the greatest examples of cultural fusion as expressed through music and song. This broad style draws from a huge array of global sounds – from 19th century salon music and lundu (an African song form) to jazz, carnival marching music, samba, rock and reggae, etc. together with the Brazilian way of making music – positive, uplifting and joyful – utilizing melody, harmony and rhythm in a unique way.
This unique combination of instruments combines with voice and guitar to form the JASON MACHADO TRIO that will take you on a journey through the exotic world of MPB…
Yemanja
July 28, 2010
Yemanja, one of the freshest sounds on the music scene in years. “This multicultural accoustic duo has struck a positive chord with audiences around the world for their fun-loving mix of jass, samba, bossa-nova, gypsy, French chanson, classical, Brazilian and European popular music.
Australian songbird Anita Fernandes and Brazilian guitarist Edson Gazani are innovative composers and captivating performers, and have even been described as musical anthropologists – uniting the music and culture of our current diverse global community with all the zest and appeal of today’s popular music. Music from the heart and soul.
For more information,
Pantastic Steelband
January 20, 2010
The Pantastic Steelband was established in Noosa (Sunshine Coast, Qld) in 1998 by Clive Stead and Matt Davies. Both grew up in Trinidad, home of steelpan instruments and calypso music. The band started life as a 5 piece but has grown into a 9 piece, with three Trinidadians in its ranks.
From the start, Pantastic has aimed at creating an authentic Trinidad-style of music tailored to suit local audiences. While calypso and soca music alone is fine in Trinidad, Australian audiences need to hear more familiar songs. Consequently, our repertoire incorporates a wide range of material from the pop, jazz, calypso, reggae and Latin repertoire, as well as some original pieces from our own band members.
The music exudes an atmosphere of sunshine and ‘good-vibes’ which has a captivating appeal to all ages, making Pantastic the perfect choice for parties, weddings, markets, festivals and any occasion that celebrates life. The strong rhythmical drive of the music can compel the most indolent to their feet!
Pantastic is unique in Australia, being the only professional Steelband of its size in the country. Since the middle of 2008 we have been very fortunate to have the services of Lennox Jordan, one of Trinidad’s leading Steelband arrangers, join our ranks. Lennox is a second generation steelpan maker/tuner and is responsible not only for keeping our instruments in tune but also for developing the bands authentic Trinidad style of arranging. He has been the musical arranger of Fascinators Steel Orchestra, one of Trinidad’s leading steel bands, for the past 10 years. As well as arranging material for us, Lennox is also a brilliant pan player and percussionist, bringing the authentic sound of Trinidadian steelpan music to the band.
Panschool is a unique programme based on the Sunshine Coast, offering, for the first time, an opportunity for students to learn to play steelpans.
With Lennox’s expertise, Panschool directors Sharon Brown and Matt Davies are confident that their goal of establishing strong, community based steelbands throughout the South East Qld will become a reality in the near future. Learning to play a steelpan is relatively easy and adults too can pick up the skills quickly. In fact, our regular classes attract a high proportion of mature-aged students.
How a Workshop is conducted
We supply all the various steelpans needed for a workshop. Typically, we set up enough instruments for 15 participants and, after a short introduction on the origin of the instruments and their proper care, we get them to choose which steelpan they would like to play. The band is divided roughly into three sections with each of us taking responsibility for a section. The back line comprises of the bass instruments; the middle section contains the mid-range pans, which usually provide the harmonic structure and; the front line is made up of the lead (melody) and harmony pans. This is a very rewarding experience for most people, especially if they have never played an instrument before, let alone, in an ensemble.
In Summary participating in a Panschool workshop:
* is lots of fun
* appeals to all ages
* is quick and easy to learn
* requires no previous musical skills
* gives participants an immediate sense of satisfaction
* is a stimulating introduction to steelpan music.
If you would like to know more about the Panschool programme please call either Matthew Davies or Sharon Brown on 5471 1165 for full details.
Jaider De Oliveira
January 20, 2010
Having had a successful career in his homeland Brazil, Jaider De Oliveira arrived in Sydney in 1970 and quickly made a name for himself in the local jazz scene. His Band Jay and the Brazilian cockroaches were featured at the Sydney International Music Festival, supporting blues greats Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, and supported Freddie Hubbard at the Birkenhead Point Festival. Another highlight of Jaider’s career was sharing a gig with superstar Isaac Hayes and his band during an Australian Tour in 1980.
In 1984 Jaider arrived in Perth and soon formed the enormously popular Brazilla and during his seven years in Western Australia had various performances for the Burswood Casino, Channel 7, 9, and 10 and has completed various recording at the ABC Radio Stations and Live to Air programmes throughout the country as well as performing for the Jazz Yatra in India and the Houston International Musix Festival in 1988.
Woodford Folk Festvial 95 to 99 then in 2001 performances with his 6 piece band Jay and the Brizilain Malandros, Percussion Workshops and various Solo Performances.
For more information,
The View From Madeleine’s Couch
January 18, 2010
The View From Madeleine’s Couch
As The View From Madeleine’s Couch head into their 11th year together, they remain one of Australia’s finest world|fusion ensembles, their energy and passion for Brazilian music undiminished. Their second album ‘Casa do Boa Vida’, has just been released through Vitamin Records. ‘Bom Fazer’, from the album is nominated in the World Music category of the QSong Awards, and ‘Palmeiras do Sul’, also from the new album, has been chosen for the soundtrack of a U.S. Indie film.
The band’s sound is as seductive as ever; from the lush, lounge-vibe of bossa nova inspired tunes, to rhythmic songs flavoured by the groups experiences in Brazil studying with master percussionists (Rio Maracatu, Durval Pereira), and playing with legends like Alberto Farah (pianist/producer/m.d. – Elza Suarez, Joyce), and Marcio Bahia (drums – Hermeto Pascoal, Hamilton de Holanda).
Event Calendar
« Jan 
Apr » February 2012 M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 EC March 2012 M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 -
Recent Posts
