Café do Choro is a Brisbane collective featuring compositions in the Brazilian Choro* and Forró* styles by multi-instrumentalist and composer Jenni Bell.
Choro is a hugely popular style of music in Brazil. Though it's less known elsewhere, ‘Rodas de Choro’ (Choro Circles) can be found throughout the world.
Emerging in Rio de Janeiro the late 19th century, Choro became immensely popular in the 1920s to 30s. Band musicians gathered around a table with wine and food in the salons and cafés of Rio, often jamming from late evening until early morning, simply for the joy of playing music together. Choro still retains that feeling of ‘jamming’, although there are also touring ensembles who perform in large venues and concert halls.
While there are many old favourite tunes that have become standard repertoire, Choro remains a ‘living genre’ with many composers continuing to write new Choros, including a number of Australian composers.
Choro is an eclectic mix of jazz, classical and folkloric styles. Its distinctly strong rhythmic beats draw on the African influences so strong in Brazilian culture. Melodies are often rapid, syncopated and complex, requiring virtuosity, but there are also slow songs that will melt your heart. Harmonies are sophisticated, expressive and adventurous, and also grab at the heart-strings. Influencing, (and in turn influenced by) other Brazilian genres such as Samba and Forró, most Choros are instrumental, though some have vocals. As in Jazz, improvisation is encouraged.
The main regular instruments are:
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Flute
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Seven string Guitar (Sete Chordas)
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Cavaquinho ( a miniature guitar with 4 strings) and
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Pandeiro (a tambourine-like instrument that mimics a drum-kit)
Clarinet, Bandolim (Brazilian mandolin), accordion (sanfona), trumpet, trombone, saxophone, piccolo, violin, piano and various percussion can also be used.
Forró is a hugely popular flowing couples dance with a driving rhythmic base, originating in the rural areas of NE Brazil.
*Choro is pronounced 'shorroow' to almost rhyme with borrow
*Forró is pronounced fawHaw