GABRIELA KOZYRA QUARTET: 'Uma gringa canta Guinga'

Gabriela Kozyra is one of the singers of the famous latin jazz band Nueva Manteca. The idea for the project 'Uma gringa canta Guinga' came to Gabriela’s mind while studying the Brazilian music at the Rotterdam Conservatoire. Among all the bossas of Tom Jobim, choros of Pixinguinha or baioes of Luiz Gonzaga which she has been listening to and singing for many years, she discovered a unique Brazilian composer, Guinga, whose music is the essence of all the styles one can meet in the traditional music of Brazil and more, whose style incorporates unpredictable harmonies such as those of Ravel, Debussy or Satie, and dazzling, intricate and interweaving melodies. And in this manner, coming ahead of his Brazilian as well as American, especially Jazz, predecessors. It comes ahead of our times and perhaps taste. His music is complex and yet beautiful and pleasant to listen to. The composer's main goal is, through all the tools he uses, to discover and uncover the deepest emotions. The hypnotic music is dressed up in the most beautiful lyrics written by Paulo Cesar Pinheiro and Aldir Blanc, his most frequent co-writers, both standing out with their knowledge of the Brazilian culture, traditions, customs, history of art and music.

This all is the reason why with such an enthusiasm, admiration, dedication, but also great respect Gabriela decided to try to spread this enigmatic music on our continent. The choice of the accompanying instrument was obvious. It is the acoustic guitar which the very composer uses daily to create and accompany his singing. She couldn't imagine to do the project with any other instrument than the guitar. Gabriela has asked three exquisite musicians to share with her the process of discovering, interpreting and performing the compositions: Tim Langedijk on the 6-string and Alvaro Rovira Ruiz on the 7-string acoustic guitars, and to emphasize the rhythmic differences between the Brazilian styles a wonderful percussionist Frank Vidal. Together they are exposing themselves to a great test and challenge to play the music of Guinga.
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Gabriela Kozyra Quartet 'Uma gringa canta Guinga'  
  • Alvaro Rovira Ruiz (7-strings guitar) (AR)
  • Frank Vidal (percussion) (PE)
  • Gabriela Kozyra (vocals) (PL)
  • Tim Langedijk (6-strings guitar) (NL)