Muziekpublique

Courses overview

Ensemble Choro & Samba

Everton Firmeza

MABO - Lycée Maria-Boodschap - Rue de la Braie 22, 1000 Bruxelles

The ensemble’s name says it all. In this ensemble you will learn all about the rich repertoire of choro and samba, Brazilian folk music which has lost none of its vitality. Everton Firmeza (counterbass) is himself an exponent of these music styles and has all that is needed to pass on his knowledge of the repertoire and the joy of playing together.

Choro

”Choro is classical music that you play on bare feet and with blisters on your hands” (Aquiles Rique Rei, Brazilian singer)

The literal meaning of choro is “song of complaint”. However, owing to the fast rhythm and the cheerful melodies you don’t realise that the songs are really about pain. This urban folk music style (originally from Rio de Janeiro) is recognisable by its virtuoso improvisations and catchy contra-rhythms.

A choro ensemble consists of guitar and cavaquinho, often complemented by mandolin, clarinet, saxophone and violin. The rhythm section always includes a pandeiro.

Samba

The samba also originates in Rio de Janeiro and is the product of rhythms brought by slaves from Africa. Samba is very percussive music played on festive occasions such as carnival; the music is traditionally played on string instruments such as the guitar and the cavaquinho; the rhythm section includes tamborim and pandeiro. This simple basis is often enlarged by instruments including clarinet, trumpet and flute.

Everton Firmeza

Everton Firmeza is a double bass player from São Paulo. He studied composition at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Bel Horizonte. He then specialised in traditional Brazilian music at the Berklee Souza Lima Conservatory in São Paulo. He plays in several ensembles, including Deriva Sons and Assanhado, and plays bass with Maíra Labanca and Nego Henrique. He is also a member of the Clube do Choro de Bruxelas with flutist Sylvain Boisvert, among others. He also teaches workshops at Youth and Music.

Everton has performed all over Brazil, as well as in Argentina, Belgium and Cuba. Whether in Brazil or abroad, his music always pays tribute to his country and its musical, artistic and cultural richness, to strengthen its traditions and defend its reputation as an important cultural reference.