Sat 11/18 @ 8PM
Cleveland-based Brazilian singer/songwriter/guitarist Moises Borges has been lighting up area stages for quite a while with his infectious music underlined by the rhythms of his native country, performing pieces by noted Brazilian composers as well as his original music.
Now he’ll be sharing some more of his music on a new album Baiano, which he’ll release at a live concert at the BOP STOP on Saturday November 18.
The title refers to someone born in Brazil’s Bahia state, as Borges was, and it features 10 songs written and arranged by him and recorded in Cleveland, Mexico and Brazil. They reflect the diverse styles of Brazilian music that have influenced his own.
The album, which has been in the works or five years, draws on a formidable range of musical talent including special guests such as Cuban pianist Chuchito Valdez, Brazilian jazz guitarist Diego Figuieredo and Cleveland clarinetist Ken Peoplowski. One track uses 33 different drums, while another features 12 horn players and another a 20-voice choir. But on other songs, Borges’ voice and guitar carry the tune, with only a little help.
“The rich and beautiful musicality of that heavily African-influenced place is so inspiring,” says Borges. “Bahia is the place in Brazil that more songs have been written about by many composers, Joao Gilberto, Vinicius de Moraes, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Joao Bosco, Gal Costa, Jobim, Ary Barroso, just to name some. By living in the US away from my homeland it gave me distinction to elaborate songs inspired by those master’s musical feelings, to slowly come up with my own version of the love for Bahia with music.”
Get tickets to the show here.