Poetry in Samba

Meaning and context in Brazilian lyrics

Tuesdays, May 21 and June 4 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM (Pacific)
Recordings of the sessions will be available for all participants for later viewing.

The music of Brazil attracts many fans worldwide because of its contagious rhythms and sophisticated harmonic language.
However, an often-overlooked factor in the appreciation of Brazilian music is the poetry of samba lyrics.

It is challenging for non-Portuguese speakers to try to “translate” Brazilian lyrics. This class will go beyond simple translations of samba words and stories. I will lead you in an exploration of the contexts and contours of poetry that permeates samba songs.
We will start at the beginning of the 20th Century, listening to the different poetic and lyrical styles that defined the individual and collective singing of samba songs. We’ll examine the importance of radio and recordings in elevating samba to Brazil’s national
sound. We’ll see how sambas can be tools for social justice and community bonding, and how Brazilian lyricism and romanticism is expressed in samba.

Among the composers we will explore in these two sessions are: Noel Rosa, Ary Barroso, Johnny Alf, Vinícius de Moraes, Dona Ivone Lara, Tom Jobim, Chico Buarque, Dolores Duran, Ronaldo Bôscoli, Djavan, Aldir Blanc, Caetano Veloso and many others.

Sambas can be romantic, revolutionary, political, or lyrical. This class will explore all these variations in depth.

Click below to purchase the second session for $75 - choose "Session 2":