MUSIC

Music in Salvador-Bahia Brazil
by Mark Stevenson Fuo.

 
Music is everywhere one sets foot on Brazil. The people are so musically creative and talented that they use anything on sight to create a musical and danceable tune. Most Brazilians could easily and perfectly sing the lyrics of every song of any Brazilian artistes from A-Z because music is part and parcel of their soul.

One could observe the power of music in almost everything that they practically engage in.The way they walk, speak and even play football is musically inclined. Brazil, which is a huge country, has suffered the problems of poverty and economic instability for a long time and music has always been used as a passport and an escape route to happiness from everyday frustrations and hardship that the people encounter.

However, there is an amazing mystical and religious quality in Brazilian music. What most people outside Brazil basically know to be Brazilian music is the samba.Though at the verge of collapse and gradually fizzling out of the Brazilian music circle, samba is the fundamental base of Brazilian music that gave birth to various kinds of music all over the country. To preserve it's complete disappearance from the scene, lots of samba musicians have sung songs to keep the rhythm alive. Like Alcione's "não deixa samba morrer, não deixa samba acabar" ( do not allow samba to die, don't allow it to end). Bossa nova an ultra-mellow music, closely knitted to jazz and regarded as a modern kind of samba for the matured minds is one of the music coined out of the Brazilian popular samba.

Another type of music, which captured the hearts of these musically equipped minds beside Samba is known as MPB which when translated represents Brazilian Popular Music. This style of music is a superb fusion of harmony, rhythm, melody and lyrics. Renowned artistes who play this sort of music that came into being in the 60’s and late 70’s includes Roberto Carlos, Milton Nascimento, Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Ivan Lins, João Bosco, Djavan, Gal Costa, Maria Bethânia, Elba Ramalho, Alceu Valença, Chico Buarque to mention but just a few.

Inaddition, the style of music that swept Brazilians off their feets in the 80’s was derived from the northeast. Axe music as it is called, is a form of samba fused with reggae with an under lying heavy percussion. Artistes and groups like Olodum, Ile-Aye, Carlinhos Brown, Timbalada,Chiclete com Banana, Daniela Mercury, Ivete Sangalo, Ara Ketu, Luiz Caldas, and Margareth Menezes, among others play this kind of music.

Other kinds of music include Forró which could be termed a Brazilian version of country music, pop, rock which is pronounced as “hokey” reggae (hegi), hip hop (hipi yopi) Jazz, tecno, choro, bale funk, clássico, sertaneja, heavy metal, rock progressive, new age, blues, dance hall, ópera, rock and roll, etc.

In Salvador da Bahia, genres like Axe, capoeira music, candomble music, sertaneja, tecno, forró, choro, pagode, arrocha could be heard in every nook and cranny of the city. Among the above mentioned music, pagode and arrocha are the people's favorite. The former is a variation of samba that originated from Rio de Janeiro. It mixes samba with other African rhythms. Pagode originally meant a celebration with lots of food, music and dance. The artistes who play this kind of music include Almir Guineto, Beth Carvalho, Bezerra da Silva, Fundo de Quintal, Jorge Aragão, Leci Brandão, Negritude Júnior, Raça Negra and the great Zeca Pagodinho that named himself after this style of music.

The latter which is considered street music by the Brazilian elites and middle class, is a tacky kind of music with a romantic and sensual connotation. This musical style is believed to have originated from the city of Candeias in Bahia. Irrespective of its raw and sexually equipped lyrics , arrocha enjoys significant, tremendous and continuous air play not only in the northeastern Brazilian states, but to almost the entire Brazil. The working of the waistline and buttocks is where the dance lies. The ladies in Salvador could make one go nuts when they swing to this beat. Believe it or not, even though most educated and well-cultured Brazilians declared that they could not be caught dead buying this kind of music because of its wild lyrical contents, they get cut up swinging to the sexually irresistible beat in open parties and during carnival.

To book famous and up coming Brazilian artistes, carnival groups, dancers and DJs for shows, social events, and parties around the world contact markstevensonfuo@gmail.com. We also organize and work with foreign artistes and DJs that are interested in having shows in Brazil.

Dance Classes

Individual and group samba dance classes  are now  given by  Flavia  a professional  brazilian young and vibrant dancer who has toured as far as Japan to do what she knows how to do best. To register for samba dance classes at an affordable price contact markstevensonfuo@gmail.com.

STORES TO GET THE BEST OF BAHIAN AND BRAZILIAN MUSIC.

Aurisom

Praça da Sé 22, Pelourinho Salvador, BA CEP: 40020-260 

071/3322-6893,
Aurisom showcases the best in Axé and Afro reggae tunes. You can also pick up fantastic  LPs collections of old Brazilian music. In Aurisom, the music never stops playing.
Opening hours – 9am - 11pm

CANA BAHIA

Rua João de Deus, 22, in Pelourinho, CEP: 40.025-080 Tel 71- 3321-0536
www.canabrava.org.
The best you can get in Bahian and Brazilian music, Cana Bahia, owned by cool Randy an American who now reside in Bahia, offers  music by Carlinhos Brown, Cartola, , Ilê Aiyê,Vinícius de Moraes,, Dorival Caymmi Antonio Carlos Jobim,, Rosa Passos, Luiz Gonzaga,  Maria Bethânia,, Bule-Bule,  João Gilberto, Raimundo Sodré Margareth Menezes,Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Ary Barroso, Paulinho da Viola, Luciano Calazan, Ramiro Musotto, Emilio Santiago, D’javan. In Cana Bahia , they don’t just sell CDs, they talk music.  All you need do is drop by and check the store out, and a trial will convince you.
Opening hours - 9 a.m. 'til late, Monday through Saturday

MUSIC  NIGHT

Monday Night

Pimentinha
A bar run by a Candomblé priest who ritualistically blesses people as they enter with water cast from shaken leaves. You may find it strange. But just relax and enjoy the music.  Live salsa, merengues, cumbias, etc.  Monday night is the big night here.  How to Get There: By taxi.  From Barra or Pelourinho the fare is approximately 25 to 30 reais.
Rua Dom Eugênio Sales, 11 Boca do Rio
(71) 3230-1725
Mon-Sat – 8pm -3am

Tuesday Night

The popular Tuesday night festivity which is the biggest party in Pelo called benção ("blessing"), originated from the Igreja Rosarios dos Pretos’s (Black church) custom of giving away bread to the poor on Tuesday evenings when mass was always held..  The first and last Tuesdays of the month are generally the biggest nights. The change of government in Salvador slowed things down a little, but the Tuesday madness is gradually heating up like it used to be.

Though there are free shows all over Pelo especially on the Largo do pelourinho square, but a place recommended to check out is the live music of Gerônimo,  beginning from 8pm – 11pm on the steps leading up to the Igreja do Passo from the Ladeira do Carmo (the sloping street connecting Pelourinho to the neighborhood of Santo Antônio).

Benção ("Blessing")
Pelourinho – The historical Center
Begins  at 7pm - Dawn - A must not miss
Entrance: Free

Wednesday Night

Gal do Beco (Gal's Alley) Formally Beco da Gal run by Gal (Maria das Graças da Silva Oswaldo a samba singer is a spot where Samba is always taken to another level. Used to be on Avenida Vasco da Gama, 2893, but now at Ed Dez – a place used for different styles of Samba situated on Rua Souza Uzel, Federação - Salvador / Ba – Beco da Gal is always jam parked. You may find it too crowdy, but it is the best place in town to flow to the samba beat with the locals.
Taxis will take you there from anywhere you are in the city.
Opening hours – 10pm – 3am
Entrance –R$5.

Thursday Night
Queinho Pita's Pagoleiros
Afro-pop street party with pagode (samba). This grooving street party which was stooped 10 years ago has been revived and it is even more fun than ever.
Lugálegal, at Rue Frei Vicente, No. 7 in Pelourinho, Salvador, BA 41150900
Tel 713321-1616
Time 11 p.m.  - Entrance: R$5

Friday Night

Didá all-female percussion troupe headed by ex-Olodum maestro Neguinho do Samba and founder of the Afro reggae rhythm.
Largo Tereza Batista, in Pelourinho, Tel: 3321-2042
From 8 p.m.
Entrance: R$10

Sunday Night
Olodum – Needs no introduction
Pelourinho's Praça Pedro Arcanjo
Time - 9pm
Entrance - R$20

Motumbá is a new musical group .They try to sound a little bit different from the rest
Afro – Bahian music group. However, they are relatively good and need to be checked out. Área Verde (the "Green Area" behind the Othon Hotel, on Avenida Oceânica at number 2294, in Ondina
9pm - Entrance: R$20
 

 NITE CLUBS IN SALVADOR

SANKOFA AFRICAN BAR & RESTAURANT – Sankofa African Bar & Restaurant is a spot where fun and creativity entangle every Mondays through Sundays in Salvador – Bahia, Brazil. They treat you to music from around the world, especially...... African music. Their much delighted savory cuisine is simply out of this world. To add spice to the atmosphere, they bring to you true Africanism in form of strictly African movies and musical videos at the top floor of the club. The space is also used for wedding receptions and events of all kinds.
No 7 Rua Frei Vicente
(next to Sorriso da Dadá restaurant) Pelourinho
41150900 Salvador-, Bahia, Brazil  Tel55-71-3242-8578

ROCK IN RIO CAFÉ

Avenida Octávio Mangabeira, 6000 S G17 - Boca do Rio

Salvador - Bahia

CEP 41740-000

(71) 3461-0300 

BOOMERANGUE

Boomerangue is what the night in Salvador is all about! 

It is everything that you need for your enjoyment and relaxation. 

Located in Rio Vermelho, with a capacity for 500, the club has two floors that operate independently, with two tracks, two bars, two stages and dressing room in the first floor. The mezzanine has 3 different levels for guaranteeing a clear view of the main stage, from every arena of the club.  

Boomerangue is an innovative club that also operates as a cultural space in the daytime, theater and a champagne bar at the end of the afternoon. The style of music include, pop, reggae, choro, blues, jazz, rock, electronic, hip hop and mpb (Brazilian Popular Music) .   

BOOMERANGUE

Rua da Paciência 
Rio Vermelho 
CEP: 40000-000

: (71) 3334-6640 
Site: www.boomerangueeventos.com.br

Accepted Credit cards M ,V 

CLUB LOTUS

The nightclub is situated in the neoclassical Oceania building, in front of the Barra Light house; it is a franchise of a luxurious New York night club. The architecture of the club is fantastic.The walls of the dance floor and that of the mezzanine are covered with Japanese frames. This club was chosen as one of the places for dancing in the city by the VEJA magazine. Style of music includes electronic, pop, hiphop, rock and MPB.

Opening hours-11pm - 6am Thur- Sat. Cc.: D, M, and V. Entrance Fee. R$ 60 (men, with a right of R$30 consumption) and R$ 40,00 (ladies, with a right of R$ 20,00). Opened in 2005. 

Front of Barra light house, Edifício Oceânia 
Avenida Almirante Marquês de Leão s/n 
Barra 
CEP: 40.000-000 
:(71) 3264-6787

Bahia Café

Located with a spectacular view of the Bay of the All Saints. The largest and one of the most beautiful clubs in Brazil, Bahia Café was inaugurated in 2002 with the idea of uniting the panoramic vision, international standard of service and tasty menu to the incentive of the culture and artistic production of Bahia. The club reopens, after a complete two year renovation, with a new concept of fortifying entertainment in the city. 

With a 500 capacity, the club features live shows every Wednesday to Saturday. Style of music- Pop and Rock. 

Largo dos Aflitos, s/nº, Mirante dos Aflitos, Aflitos, Salvador, Bahia, CEP 40060-030,

3341-7872. 11pm - 6am (Thur - Sat). Cc. D, M, V. Entrance Fee: R$ 15 (Ladies) and R$ 20 (Men).www.bahiacafe.com.br. Opened in 2001.
 

FASHION CLUB

The Fashion Club Salvador is the best nightclub in the city. Inaugurated in December 19, 2001, the club operates with modern infrastructures, in terms of sound equipment, lightening, laser,  and decoration. On July 1, 2004, the house was re-inaugurated bringing in more modernized atmosphere and better infrastructure. 

The average of capacity of the club is approximately 1.100 people, reaching a peak of up to 1.500.The club accommodates an age group from 21 to 45 years. Since its inauguration, the management has created a calendar of alternative events and this as a tradition has even been improved. Style of music - diversified. Lots of live performances.

Avenida Otávio Mangabeira 2.471 
Jardim dos Namorados  
CEP: 41830-050 
(71) 3346-0012 
Site: www.fashionclub.com.br

Payment accepted - All kinds of international credit cards.

Opening hours: Thurs - Sat 10pm - the break of dawn

Entrance Fee - R$30-R$50