Until Sunday, in addition to names like Ivan Lins, Hermeto Pascoal and pianist Jane Monheit, extraordinary blues artists will perform throughout the region
OR Bourbon Feast Paraty, an already traditional event in the historic city of Rio, which has been held for 13 years at the Bourbon Street venue, begins this Friday and continues until next Sunday. The weekend will have big names in jazz and MPB and a reserve of good discoveries for Brazilians who love the blues. Among the attractions, Jane Monheit with Ivan Lins and on Friday the Tim Maia Racional project will be presented, with B.Negão & Black Mantra; Hermeto Pascoal, the American singer Diunna Greenleaf with the great harmonica player Marcelo Naves and his group The Tigermen on Saturday; and Ana Cañas singing Belchior on Sunday.
The concerts will be free and will spread between the beaches and the historic center. For those out of town, the good news is that most of the shows are coming to Bourbon Street next week. In a text sent to journalists, Edgar Radesca, mentor of the project, says: “The pandemic has taught us the importance of coexistence, of valuing the collective, of bringing people together, year after year, we have further expanded this integration, honoring local artists in presentations on the various stages of the Festival, incorporating professionals from the city into the Festival’s production team and now bringing music and good humor to the beaches outside the Centro Storico”. The mayor of Paraty, Luciano Vidal, speaks of the impact of an event that “brings more resources and encourages the artistic and cultural tourism sector, as well as inns, bars and restaurants”.
In addition to the highly sought-after shows, there are two lesser-known names around here performing on Saturday, in the Praça da Matriz, that deserve special attention. Diunna Greenleaf, who will be playing alongside harmonica player Marcelo Naves, is a well-known figure in the United States. Her foundation is soul and gospel, and she is the first woman to become president of the Houston Blues Society. Her multi-pronged efforts to spread the blues in the United States include founding the Friends of Blues Montgomery County.
Diunna’s voice is in the central regions and has a special timbre. She is from Houston, Texas and she discovered what she wanted to be in life as a child in school. She cites the voices of Sam Cooke, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Koko Taylor and Aretha Franklin as influences. There are great songs to listen to on Spotify. From 2011’s Trying to Hold On, everything is great. Sunny Day Friends, the slow bluesy Taking Chances and the shuffle I Got a Notion to Leave are some of them. More recently, the album I Ain’t Playin’ climbs two points in volume and shows even more strength. A version of the gospel, now little re-recorded, I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free (I Would Like to Know How it is to Be Free), made in 1963 by Billy Taylor, reveals the characteristics.
The other attraction arriving in sequence, at 11.30pm on Saturdays, is Kevin Gullage & The Blues Groovers. Kevin Gullage had a stint, albeit a non-winning one, sometimes described as impressive on American Idol. At 23 he hails from New Orleans, Louisiana and brings another side of the blues. Otis Redding’s That’s How Strong My Love Is should be in the repertoire for the power he displayed singing it on the TV show. His album Blues For The City, an EP from 2018, sounds more linear. There are many clichés that will certainly work in a show, but which demonstrate a constant search for personality. Valerie is his undisputed pop blues hit.
full program
::: MATRIX STADIUM
Friday 4/14
20:00 – Paraty Symphony Orchestra
10pm – Jane Monheit invites Ivan Lins
11:30 pm – Black mantra
00h00 – Tim Maia Racional – B.Negão & Black Mantra
01:00 – DjCrizz
Saturday 4/15
20:30 – Hermeto Pascoal
10pm – Diunna Greenleaf with Marcelo Naves and The Tigermen
11:30pm – Kevin Gullage and The Blues Groovers
01:00 – DJ Crizz
Sunday 04/16
20:30 – Ana Cañas sings Belchior
10:00 pm – Fernando Rosa
00h00 – DJ Leo Lucas
::: SANTA RITA STAGE
Saturday 4/15
14:30 – Guitar Orchestra of the House of Culture
15:30 – Favela Brass
16:00 – Tribute to Roy Hargrove by Lucas Gomes
5.30pm – Nina plays blues with Voodoo Woman
19:00 – Dj Bebeto
Sunday 04/16
2.30pm – Favela Brass
15:00 – Sextet Rhandal Oliveira
16:30 – Silibrina
6:00pm – Sounds of New Orleans | Kevin Gullage & The Blues Groovers
******************** BUSKERS ********************
::: COURT PHASE
Friday 4/14
17:00 – Jesus Condado
19:00 – Plínio Blues Trio
Saturday 4/15
13:00 – Jesus Condado
15:00 – Bibba Chuqui
17:00 – Alma Nouche Trio
19:00 – Vasco Faé
Sunday 04/16
1.00 pm – Alma Nouche Trio
15:00 – Vasco Faè
17:00 – Bibba Chuqui
::: ROSÁRIO STAGE
Saturday 4/15
12:00 – Bibba Chuqui
2.00 pm – Alma Nouche Trio
16:00 – Vasco Faè
18:00 – Plínio Blues Trio
Sunday 04/16
12:00 – Vasco Faè
2.00pm – Orleans Street Jazz Band
16:00 – Alma Nouche Trio
******************** TRAVELING JAZZ ********************
::: JAZZ NA KOMBI
Friday 04/14
19:00 – Piazza Fontana
Saturday 4/15
11:00 – Jabaquara
2.00 pm – Pontal
19:00 – Pontal Bridge
Sunday 04/16
11:00 – Flag square
2.00 pm – Pontal
19:00 – Piazza Fontana
Through the streets of the historic centre
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Orleans Street Jazz Band
Saturday and Sunday
Favelas Brass
******************** CHURCH MUSIC ********************
::: CHURCH OF THE ROSARY
Saturday 4/15
11:00 – AquaBienta “Wings of Paraty”
Sunday 04/16
11:00 – Capela Jazz | Bibba Chuqui
******************** WORKSHOPS ********************
::: LABORATORY
Friday 04/14
16:00 – AcquaBienta | Music and sustainability
Sunday 04/16
11am – Tom Ashe | Favelas Brass
******************** EXHIBITION ********************
::: PRAÇA DA MATRIZ
from Friday to Sunday
Photo exhibition | Giancarlo Meccarelli
Source: Terra
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
