Choro Borealis Brings Joyful Brazilian Music to Jazz88 and Twin Cities Jazz Festival

Choro Borealis is a Twin-Cities based Brazilian ensemble that performs a variety of musical styles from South America’s largest country, including choro, samba, forro, and original compositions that incorporate jazz influences. The term choro references a type of instrumental music that evolved in the late nineteenth century from the fusion of European dances like polkas, schottisches, and walzes, combined with the rhythms brought to Brazil by enslaved African-descended people. The musicians include Pat O’Keefe on clarinet, Tom O’Keefe on percussion, Robert Everest on 7-string guitar and vocals, John Croakian on flute, and David Burk aka “Dusty” on cavaquinho. Some of the band members have played together in Brazilian groups for forty years. They are all knowledgeable and passionate and have a lot to say about the African and European roots of the music they perform, and the ways they are incorporating new influences. The musical selections are “Noiches Carioca,” “Coisa Feita,” “Okoco,” Ta Ligado,” “Sarau Para Radames,” and “Brilhante.” Choro Borealis is performing at 5:00 PM on Saturday, June 20th on the 6th Steet stage at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival.