Bossa Nova Then and Now
Who among you haven’t hear the song “The Girl from Ipanema?” Very few, we are sure, as the song has been ubiquitous ever since it was created by bossa nova king, Antonio Carlos Jobim. With its cool, laid back sound enhanced by the whispery voice of Astrud Gilberto, the song put bossa nova on the map, from Rio to NY and everywhere else beyond. The origin of bossa nova came from finding a new way of playing and singing samba, a musical genre with roots in Africa. Taking elements from jazz music and combining it with a soft and poetic sound, bossa nova came at a time when Brazil was changing and becoming more modern, and this sound surely became emblematic of the time. Born in 1927, Jobim was a revered songwriter, singer, composer, arranger, pianist, and guitarist who was a big part of the creation of the bossa nova style. With “The Girl from Ipanema” one of the most recorded songs in history, his music put bossa nova on the map, along with the music he wrote in collaboration with poet vinicius de Moraes in 1959 for the film, Orfeu Negro (Black Orpheus) directed by Michel Camus. Musicians like Stan Getz, Joaö Gilberto, and Astrud Gilberto helped to add fuel to the bossa nova craze all over the world, with Jobim at the helm. As one of the most important songwriters of the 20th century, his music was recorded by many famous singers, including Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. Jobim died in 1994, but he had an airport named after him in Rio in 1999 and was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 54th Grammy Awards in 2012 . When it began, bossa nova was headquartered in a tiny alley in Rio called Beco das Garrafas in Copacabana, known to music afficianados as well as the great musicians who play and visit the local bars. Known as an after-hours place for musicians to play, it has been a hang out for greats such as Sergio Mendes, Milton Banana, J.T. Meirelles, and Edison Machado. Heavyweight jazz players like Coleman Hawkins and Herbie Mann were often regulars, and the beat goes on to today, where Beco das Garrafas continues to host some of the best bossa nova bands and the musicians who appreciate and contribute to the sound. In the latter part of the 1960’s pop and rock became the musical styles of choice in Rio, but bossa nova still held its ground as a staple. Today, bossa nova has evolved into a new sound, combining the style with electronic beats giving it a harder edge that makes it popular with a new generation of kids on the dance floor. The contemporary bossa scene is growing all the time. Bands like Bossacucanova combine the traditional sound with electronica. Nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2002 for Best Brazilian Contemporary Pop Album with “Brasilidade,” they are produced and engineered by Alex Moreira and boast stunning vocals by his wife, Cris Delanno. Innovators like Mitar Subotic, known as Suba, have pioneered a sound that is constantly transforming. Listen to his album Säo Paulo Confessions, or to Fernanda Porto’s bossa, drum n’ bass dance floor hit, “Sambassim” with its various contagious mixes. And then there is Mugamango, Marcelonho da Lua, Cibelle, Vanessa da Mata and Ramilson Maia, and so many more who are moving the bossa sound into exciting realms. Like all art forms that are alive with their times, bossa nova breathes new life into itself through the artists who expand the form through their own visions. Whether you want a soothing sound to soften your ears or a driving beat to lift you higher, bossa nova is a sound that can take you to many places, not the least of which is Rio de Janeiro where it all began. www.tocaevents.com
A Few Thoughts on Travel
As most of our readers already know, we at TOCA are full-blown travelers. We are so aware of how the farther we get from home, the greater perspective we gain on who we are and how we handle life. Travel helps to shake us up… breaking up assumptions, and finding commonalities in cultures while embracing differences. Travel is a great barometer for discovering where we are challenged and where we feel comfortable. It pushes the envelope. Through travel you can learn a lot about yourself that you otherwise wouldn’t notice if you stayed at home. You might discover that you are confident where you thought you were shy, or the other way around. You might notice how open you really are (or how closed), how willing you are to take a leap of faith, how spontaneous you are in the face of the unexpected, or how reluctant you are to take a step towards the unknown. Travel is one of the best ways to expand and evolve yourself while taking the time to explore new cultures, attitudes, beliefs, and customs. Traveling to parts of the world where what we expect is not the norm is a way to expand our view as we learn not to take things for granted. Poorer countries that do not offer the amenities and comforts we may be accustomed to allow us to see how riches come in other forms, such as generosity and soul, and of course in nature’s beauty. Finding ways to appreciate what “is” rather than being dissapointed in not finding, for example, the local McDonalds or a luxury hotel, helps us gain perspective as it tests where we are rigid and where we are able to flow. We believe that one of the biggest commitments you can make to yourself is to not stay glued to your comfort zone. By taking yourself out of your daily routine every now and then you have the opportunity to re-charge your battery as you place yourself in settings that are out of the norm. At TOCA we recognize that breaking the routine is the best way to keep life sparkling and fresh. And then there is the return home where more often than not, we find more value in what we have. Somehow after travel, things that caused us to worry before we took off for points unknown seem less overwhelming. Travel truly puts life into a fresh context. When you don’t know what is around the next corner, when you push your comfort level by trying new things, when you realize you don’t have to speak the language to communicate, when you find that you have the skills to deal with the unknown, there is an enormous sense of achievement that takes root and stays with you always. It is this value that has helped each one of us become more self-realized, better at who we are and what we do, and always grateful when the time comes to pack our bags and ready the passport! www.tocaevents.com
The Transformation of Rio’s Favelas
Favelas first appeared in Rio in the 19th century where they were built by soldiers with nowhere to live. Also called “barrios Africanos,” the favelas were home to former slaves with no claim to land or work. Then came the 1970’s when the migration of people from the deep countryside came to Rio to find work, finding themselves encamped in crowded and increasingly dangerous communities without sanitation, running water, or protection. Cities within the city, favelas have long been considered off limits. But with recent movements to “pacify” these areas through social change, many favelas have become more self-sustaining and productive. With running water, electricity, and other services, Rio’s municipal government is also putting in place green initiatives that are changing the face of these inner city areas. With approximately 763 favelas providing homes for over 1.4 million people, they provide a vital picture of a city that is known for diversity and flavor. Santa Marta is one of the best known favelas in Rio de Janeiro. When Spike Lee filmed Michael Jackson’s 1996 video for “They Don’t Care About Us” community pride coupled with this vibrant view of favela life started a positive chain reaction. This included the Favela Painting Art Project, inspired by the Dutch team Haas & Haan, inspiring locals to paint their homes in bright colors. Santa Model serves as a model for other favelas, with its new houses and free tram, along with its famous Michael Jackson statue. With local artisans contributing to this colorful community, Santa Marta is one of the main stops for tourists interested in becoming acquainted with the many facets of Rio de Janeiro. Vidigal is another favela favored by tour groups. With spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean, the community now offers a beautiful walking trail for taking it all in, as well as guesthouses (pousadas), restaurants, clubs, and bars inside the favela itself. At Toca Events, we enjoy visiting the bohemian Santa Teresa district where artists and young locals provide a tangible excitement that is contagious. At TOCA Events, we are excited to be a part of creating a positive consciousness about these neighborhoods by sharing a new perspective on favela culture. Offering tours to view life in these neighborhoods is one way we help to open up communication and awareness. Recently our Director of Brand Interface, Fabio Pamplona, did a fashion shoot in one of Rio’s favelas, celebrating the spirit of the people. With Rio’s efforts to create a greener city through incentives such as reforestation to lower greenhouse gasses and attract more birds, the city has also created the “Morar Carioca Program” in the South Zone favelas of Bablilonia and Chapeu Mangueria. Encouraging sustainable buildings and other green solutions, these areas are helping to encourage eco-tourism and micro-industries that provide residents and visitors with a higher level of exchange. With holistic urban planning, favela infrastructure is improving, with better zoning and upgrades. Rio expects that by 2020 all of the favelas will benefit, meaning that a whopping 232,000 households will be affected! Visiting Favelas has become a big part of Rio’s tourism, especially since 2013 when the city’s tourism minister expanded plans to help residents develop new skills as a response to outside visitors. Government intervention has helped to expand resources, providing residents with more opportunities to work, live, and raise their families in a environment that supports a better quality of life. As an event production company always keen on providing our clients with creative options, TOCA Events is proud of every aspect of culture in Rio de Janeiro. In this spirit, our destination management team provides exciting tours of the city’s favelas as a compliment to your event. www.tocaevents.com