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Composer of the Month

Huw Warren: Choro Choro Choro

Huw Warren’s latest disc Choro Choro Choro is a solo album of Brazilian music and two of his own compositions, Chorinho for Hermeto and Desequilibrado. In its recent 4-star review, Jazzwise magazine wrote: “Warren’s love affair with Brazilian music … hardly needs re-affirming here. But Choro Choro Choro is perhaps his most personal and celebratory release yet in the domain he so cherishes.”

 

Choro is the vibrant beating heart at the core of Brazilian music. From its emergence in the late nineteenth century in Rio de Janeiro, it has continued to be a musical and cultural influence right up to the present day. The combination of African music elements – more specifically from Bantu and Yoruba peoples – fused with European dances and forms such as polkas, marches and waltzes; created uniquely Brazilian urban popular music. For this collection I have adapted and arranged music from some of the original innovators such as Chiquinha Gonzaga (1847-1935) and Ernesto Nazareth (1863-1934) as well as the undisputed 'heavyweight' of choro composers Pixinguinha (1897-1973) and the highly influential Jacob Do Bandolim (1918-1969) and Jonas Pereira da Silva (1934-1997). Modern masters are represented by Guinga (b. 1950) and Hermeto Pascoal (b. 1936), who both have included highly individual choros and chorinhos in their varied compositional outputs. I've also included two original compositions from 2023. These were written as a response to a period of immersion in the whole Choro history; and are very much a personal reaction to the melodic, harmonic and rhythmic aspects of Choro that I find so attractive. Music is, above all else, an emotional experience, and this emotional connection is central both to my desire to play this repertoire, and my continued artistic development.

This project is dedicated to the many Brazilian musicians that have welcomed me with open arms and encouraged me to be creative with this incredible music. They have included (in 1980s London) Bosco De Oliveira, the late Ricardo Dos Santos; and more recent encounters with Jovino Santos Neto, Carlos Malta, Roberto Taufic, Chico Buarque, Matheus Prado, Seu Gaio and Adriano Adewale.


Obrigado profundo e sincero / Deep and heartfelt thanks,

Huw Warren

 

(This project was made possible with a Research Fund Grant from RWCMD.)

▶ Jazzwise review

Huw Warren is currently touring the album with Tori Freestone, Ursula Harrison and Adriano Adewale:

2 May Bonnington Theatre, Nottingham

14 May The Muse, Brecon

22 May Manchester Jazz Festival: The Carlton Club

23 May  Soundcellar, Poole

24 May  Birmingham Jazz, Birmingham

29 May  Bristol Music Club, Bristol

1 June    Cardiff University

▶ Composer of the Month: Huw Warren

 

▶ huwwarren.wordpress.com

▶ Composer of the Month

CYM

Cyfansoddwr y Mis

Huw Warren: Choro Choro Choro

Mae disg diweddaraf Huw Warren, Choro Choro Choro, yn albwm unigol o gerddoriaeth Brasil a dau o’i gyfansoddiadau ei hun, sef Chorinho for Hermeto a Desequilibrado. Yn ei adolygiad 4-seren diweddar, ysgrifennodd cylchgrawn Jazzwise: “Warren’s love affair with Brazilian music …hardly needs re-affirming here. But Choro Choro Choro is perhaps his most personal and celebratory release yet in the domain he so cherishes.”

 

Choro is the vibrant beating heart at the core of Brazilian music. From its emergence in the late nineteenth century in Rio de Janeiro, it has continued to be a musical and cultural influence right up to the present day. The combination of African music elements – more specifically from Bantu and Yoruba peoples – fused with European dances and forms such as polkas, marches and waltzes; created uniquely Brazilian urban popular music. For this collection I have adapted and arranged music from some of the original innovators such as Chiquinha Gonzaga (1847-1935) and Ernesto Nazareth (1863-1934) as well as the undisputed 'heavyweight' of choro composers Pixinguinha (1897-1973) and the highly influential Jacob Do Bandolim (1918-1969) and Jonas Pereira da Silva (1934-1997). Modern masters are represented by Guinga (b. 1950) and Hermeto Pascoal (b. 1936), who both have included highly individual choros and chorinhos in their varied compositional outputs. I've also included two original compositions from 2023. These were written as a response to a period of immersion in the whole Choro history; and are very much a personal reaction to the melodic, harmonic and rhythmic aspects of Choro that I find so attractive. Music is, above all else, an emotional experience, and this emotional connection is central both to my desire to play this repertoire, and my continued artistic development.

This project is dedicated to the many Brazilian musicians that have welcomed me with open arms and encouraged me to be creative with this incredible music. They have included (in 1980s London) Bosco De Oliveira, the late Ricardo Dos Santos; and more recent encounters with Jovino Santos Neto, Carlos Malta, Roberto Taufic, Chico Buarque, Matheus Prado, Seu Gaio and Adriano Adewale.


Obrigado profundo e sincero / Deep and heartfelt thanks,

Huw Warren

 

(Gwnaed y prosiect hwn yn bosibl gyda Grant Cronfa Ymchwil gan Coleg Brenhinol Cerdd a Drama Cymru.)

▶ adolygiad Jazzwise 

Ar hyn o bryd mae Huw Warren ar daith Choro Choro Choro gyda Tori Freestone, Ursula Harrison ac Adriano Adewale:

2 Mai  Bonnington Theatre, Nottingham

14 Mai  The Muse, Aberhonddu

22 Mai  Manchester Jazz Festival: The Carlton Club

23 Mai  Soundcellar, Poole

24 Mai  Birmingham Jazz, Birmingham

29 Mai  Bristol Music Club, Bryste

1 Mehefin  Prifysgol Caerdydd

▶ Composer of the Month: Huw Warren

 

▶ huwwarren.wordpress.com

▶ Cyfansoddwr y Mis

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