World Music Exploation - Spanish Jazz-Fussion

I had to call for assistance for this week's selections. Special thanks to Luma Zuri, one of my friends from

Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir 3.0, for introducing us to the music of Bebo Valdes and Diego El Cigala.

Bebo Valdes is a Grammy winning Afro-Cuban pianist, composer and arranger.

Diego El Cigala is a Grammy-nominated cantaor (flamenco singer). Their music is a fussion of jazz and flamenco. Listen carefully to the rhythm section (piano, drums and bass).

Their grooves combine flamenco and Afro-Cuban rhythms. The harmonies are typical of music both flamenco and jazz (love those "blues" intervals). The piano and drum licks? Pure jazz.

This is "Lagrimas Negros" ("Black Tears"), which is one of Luma's faves. I just love that piano intro.

I don't know about you, but thanks to Luma, I need to add Valdes and El Cigala's music to my music collection. You can explore more of Bebo Valdes music here:

(c) 2012 by Musespeak(TM), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved.

World Music Exploration - Virgenes del Sol

This week's clip is the Kinsa Trio from Belguim.  Their latest video is based on a popular Peruvian melody composed byJorge Bravo de Rueda.

It starts rather classically on the piano before it switches to the cheery melody:

World Music Exploration - Musica Popular Brasiliera

We wrap up the school year with some MPB: musica popular Brasiliera. This week's artist hails from Salvador: Daniela Mercury. Her style is a mix of reggae and traditional Latin grooves.

This clip features a lively salsa groove. Here's Rapunzel from Daniela Mercury's 1997 album: Feijão com Arroz.

 Click on the CD if you'd like to explore more of Daniela Mercury's music:

World Music Exploration - Tico Tico

This week, my students are checking out two versions of Tico-Tico no Fubá. This piece is an example of a Brazilian choro, or lament and was composed by Zequinha de Abreu in  1917.

The first time I heard this piece was at a friend and colleague's birthday party. She delivered a piano recital to guests.

This version of Tico Tico is by Brazilian pianist Vinheteiro:

Some of my students think this four-person, two-guitar version is "cool" while others think it's "creepy":

Want to learn Tico Tico? Check out these versions:

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Tico Tico Two Pianos, Four Hands. Composed by Zequinha Abreu. Peermusic Classical. Classical, Spanish. Softcover. 12 pages. Peermusic #61455-506. Published by Peermusic (HL.228455).

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Tico Tico Composed by Zequinha de Abreu. Edited by Wolfgang Birtel. Arranged by Wolfgang Birtel. Copyright 2015 Schott Music GmbH & Co. KG, Mainz. 6 pages. Published by Schott Music - Digital (S9.Q40330).

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Tico Tico Composed by Zequinha Abreu. Arranged by Louis Drummond. Latin Jazz, Latin. Performance. Published by Louis Drummond (S0.594195).

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Tico Tico By The Andrews Sisters. Arranged by Louis Drummond. Lead Sheet. 4 pages. Published by Louis Drummond (H0.594955-SC001290326).