Seattle-based percussionist Jeff Busch presents a concert of Brazilian music, featuring students from his Winter 2023 percussion ensemble, and spanning genres from samba to maracatú to forró. With guest appearances by pianist Jovino Santos Neto, singer Adriana Giordano, and other luminaries of the local Brazilian music scene, as well as UW faculty Marc Seales, Steve Rodby, and Shannon Dudley.
Program Note
Jeff Busch’s soulful exuberance and inclusive spirit has enriched the Seattle music scene for decades. As a drummer/percussionist, vocalist, and composer he has collaborated with musicians from diverse scenes, including jazz, blues, gospel, calypso, samba, salsa and Afro-cuban jazz. He has also hosted a weekly jam session for the last 15 years (currently held on Wednesdays at the Capitol Hill Cider Bar). In his role as bandleader Jeff has guided the Entre Mundos quartet, the Magic Circle, Sambatuque and other ensembles. As a sideman his work has included performances and recordings with 3-time Grammy winning vocalist Carlos Cascante (of the Spanish Harlem Orchestra), and 3-time Latin-Grammy nominee Jovino Santos Neto. Jovino, who will also perform in tonight’s concert, has been an especially important mentor to Jeff, who performed with him in Brazil in the late 1990s and has played in Jovino’s quintet regularly since then.
As Visiting Artist in Ethnomusicology at the University of Washington this winter, Jeff has indulged his deep passion for Brazilian music. In twice-a-week ensemble classes over ten weeks, he summoned a whole community of his collaborators to work with UW students. Tonight’s concert represents not only Brazilian music, but also the Seattle Brazilian music community in which Jeff has been a fixture for over 25 years.
Program
“E Morio,” c. Joao Donato.
E Morio means unity in the Nago language of Benin. This song is played in the rhythm called ijexá, used in the music of Brazil’s candomblé religion.
“Mae Oya,” c. Timbalada.
This is a song about returning home, played in a samba duro
“Lamentos” c. Pixinguinha.
Chorinho
“Festa de Ere,” c. Jovino Santos Neto.
A samba in 3/4 meter.
“Papo Furado,” c. Hermeto Pascoal.
Baiao/forró
“Magalenha,” c. Carlinhos Brown.
Coco
“Eu e Voce,” c. Mestrinho.
Xote
“Feira de Mangaio,” c. Glorinha Gadelha & Sivuca.
Baiao/forró
“Preciso me Encontrar,” c. Candeia.
Samba cancao (ballad samba style).
“Maracatu.”
An afro-Brazilian dance from the Northeast of Brazil that honors people and ancestors of African Royal Lineage.
“Aldeia de Ogum,” c. Joyce Moreno.
The song’s title means “Ogun's village,” referring to Ogun, the Yoruban deity of metals, tools, the one who can "open the way." Ogun is also the name of a river and region in Nigeria.
“Girl from Ipanema,” c. Antonio Carlos Jobim.
Bossa nova style (1963)
“Samba de Orfeu,” c. Luis Bonfa and Antonio Maria.
Samba from the movie Black Orpheus. (1959)
“Samba de Dois,” c. Roque Ferreira.
Samba de roda style (circle samba) featuring the berimbau (musical bow).
Batucada.
Afro-Brazilian samba percussion ensemble in the style of Rio de Janeiro samba schools.
“Mas Que Nada,” c. Jorge Ben Jor
Samba made famous by Sergio Mendes and Brazil '66.
Student performers
Logan Bellenkes
Kimani Bishop
Taylor Buehler
Mike Chen
Ashley Cook
Nick Fowler
Elliott Hansen
Galin Hevert
Juan Hillon
Hailey Kepple
Minghao Li
Nick Mendonsa
Ari Okin
Maria Price
Tess Roberts
Emily Silks
Guest performers
Erick Cohn, percussionist
Adriana Giordano, vocals
Gabe Hall-Rodrigues, accordion
Tassia Merighi, dancer
Dev Nambi, percussionist
Steve Rodby, bass
Daniel Santos, dancer
Jovino Santos Neto, piano/flute
Naoyuki Sawada, percussionist
Dean Schmidt, bass
Marc Seales, piano
Hans Teuber, sax, flute, clarinet
Eric Verlinde, piano