(Earlville, NY – May 2015) The Earlville Opera House welcomes Matuto and their signature blend of Brazilian influenced folk-rock music on Saturday May 30 at 8 p.m. Matuto was first introduced to the area last July with a free concert in Hamilton.
Imagine the sound of a Brazilian Carnival in the Appalachian Mountains: dynamic percussion instruments rumbling beneath blues-drenched vocals, telecaster twangs, accordion acrobatics, and folksy fiddle tunes. Matuto (“bumpkin” in Brazilian slang) moves with two-stepping grace between bluegrass and forró, between swamp rock and maracatu, between surf guitar shimmies and the wah-wah of the berimbau.
Matuto’s songs can sway hips just as easily as spark insights. Drawing on Brazil’s folkloric rhythms like forró and coco, and on deep Americana—from bluegrass to spirituals to swamp jams—Matuto uses unexpected Pan-American sonic sympathies to craft appealing, rootsy yet philosophical tales of love, self-discovery, and true peace.
“The joyous, ebullient music of Matuto merges the folkloric music of Brazil with the sounds of all-American bluegrass,” opines the Chicago Tribune. “Violin, accordion, and a range of Brazilian percussion give this band, founded by South Carolina native Clay Ross, a seductively cross-cultural appeal.” Matuto’s sound reflects the years and, in some cases, decades its members have spent mastering the folkloric styles of the Brazilian northeast, weaving traditional Americana influences into its exotic substrate. Taken as a whole, it’s a richly engaging musical tapestry that’s sure to have you up and dancing.
Come early to learn more about Brazilian folk music with band member Rob Curto, who will give a pre-concert talk and demonstration of instruments at 7 p.m. Curto lived in Brazil and studied the music for nearly 20 years. He will introduce Brazilian folk hero Luiz Gonzaga and Brazil’s Northeast music. Luiz Gonzaga, often called the “The King of Baião,” has been credited for having presented the rich universe of Northeastern musical genres to all of Brazil. He received the Shell prize for Brazilian Popular Music in 1984 and is considered one of most influential figures of Brazilian popular music in the twentieth century. (Wiki)
For ticket information, call 315-691-3550 or visit www.earlvilleoperahouse.com. The Opera House is located at 18 East Main Street in Earlville.