Assanhado Quarteto played bright and cheery Brazilian Jazz at Foundry 616 on the last night of their Australian tour. They played numerous songs from Feira, their first album. Feira means market in Portuguese and it is the music of the street that the quartet brought to the Foundry 616 crowd. You can imagine this music being played in a noisy & vibrant Brazilian marketplace.
I find that at Foundry 616 you not only get to listen to great music but you also gain an education. The band featured an instrument that looks like a small ukulele called a cavaquinho. Lucas Ladeia plucked away through both sets with energetic and skilful high pitched tinkling. Our education continued with some songs in a Brazilian style called choro, a word that translates as crying. Paradoxically these songs have a snappy rhythm and a joyous feel. We learnt about and listened to Forró, the catchy and dynamic dance music of north eastern Brazil, and other songs that were redolent with deep emotion.
In contrast to the tiny cavaquinho André Milagres played a rich and vibrant seven string guitar. Its beautiful resonant tones and André’s extraordinary musicianship gave great balance to the band. André and Lucas played off each other providing enjoyment for themselves and the audience. Joining in this camaraderie was Rodrigo Magalhaes on bass and Rodrigo Heringer on drums.
Assanhado Quarteto put on a fine show at Foundry 616. Their music is played with skill and passion and is often spirited and lively whilst at other times evoking deeper emotions. Assanhado Quarteto played at Foundry 616 Wednesday, 17th October, and hope to return next year. They are a band worth seeing.
