Music & Concerts
Cordilheira: Range of the Americas - Music of Brazil
Our last concert of the season will be our annual performance of music from the Southern Hemisphere. Let your spirit soar with Northwest Vocal Arts as we journey through the sounds, rhythms, and soul of Brazil.
More than a concert, Cordilheira is a cultural celebration, blending choral music, Brazilian percussion, and heartfelt community connection.
The concert will feature the NWVA professional Olympia Chamber Choir and the NWVA Evergreen Youth Choir performing stunning choral works including Bendita Sabedoria by Brazil's greatest composer, Heitor Villa-Lobos, and two works by Carlos Alberto Pinto Fonseca, Muie Rendera a setting of two of the most popular folk tunes from Northeast Brazil with percussion accompaniment and based on the Brazilian rhythm baião and Jubiabá, an evocation of a candomblé ceremony. The whole choir will sing a wonderful choral setting of one of Brazil's most popular melodies, Corcovado, written by Antonio Carlos Jobim as well as Mas Que Nada, a tune popularized for American audiences by Sergio Mendes.
The concert will also feature special guest percussionist Brian L Davis, recently returned from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he works as a Carnaval judge and performer. Brian has had a huge role in creating a Brazilian music scene in Portland. His resume also includes thirty years with Pink Martini, along with touring and or recording with Dub Squad, Upepo, Herbie Hancock, Dan Reed Network, Lions of Batucada, and many more. His work in Portland includes playing with The BrazilTones, and assisting with the youth Samba program at Durham Elementary School.
Before the concert, DJ Ju Borba sets the tone with a Brazilian soundtrack - welcoming the audience as they arrive.
After the performance, the celebration continues with a joyful Brazilian reception, where music, flavors and warmth come together:
The event is produced in collaboration with GINGA Events, a Portland-based creative studio dedicated to celebrating Brazilian culture through community, storytelling, and sensory experiences.
Join us for an afternoon of harmony, rhythm, and flavor - an invitation to experience the beauty and warmth of Brazil through music, food and celebration.
