Que vive la musica!!!

Chocquibtown!!! Grupo de Buenaventura has been nominated for a Grammy award 2009! I saw them at the Pacific Music Festival, they are AMAZING.

This group incorporates the best of Currulao and hip-hop for an inspired blend. The lyrics are powerful and quick witted, "where i come from- everyone drinks whiskey, everyone has a car,(except for us), everyone has a motorcycle, everyone eats chicken, and everyone is fed up. The whole world wants to leave, but none of us have been able to. It's not easy, but we still survive"

Check out the article featured in Spin magazine:

http://spinearth.tv/report/chocquibtown-de-donde-vengo-yo


" I won't eat the poison fish even if it's from Choco"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-155l4xcqo&feature=related

I also reccommend El Bombo and Somos Pacifico

Other songs that make me happy:

Arroz con habichuela...pure genius, rice and green beans never sounded so appetizing! I love that the lyrics are so simple, but so much fun!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ91NTHxZds

Today I had my first marimba lesson. My instructor rocks- no musical theory required. I already learned to play currulao with the variations. I am supercontenta!

A little bit of jazz...

A little bit of jazz can go a long way. Last night I went to a concert at the music conservatory. It doubles as a school and a stage, like stepping into the 1950's. The concert was beautiful and inspiring. It was a bass/guitar/xylophone trio playing Charlie Parker and improv. Beautiful. I love the xylo notes, so sweet.

This is the tail end of jazz festival which ended last week. Rik Mol from Holland was by far my afavorite performance of the season. Tomorrow is the final coffee house show featuring a Brazilian jazz group. I love Brazilian jazz. This month there is a lot going on, salsa festival, international film festival, and arte en la calle, a huge artist celebration where they host an open house in San Antonio and you can shop for crafts. Looking forward to it.