A bigger life

A great evening up in nearby Laurens, in the garden of a couple who put on a monthly jazz gig: last night it was Patrick Agullo and his band playing Brazilian music.
With M, sipping wine on a warm summer night in a garden listening to music by Pascoal, Jorge Ben, Jobim of course, Chico Buarque, Milton Nascimento, Joao Bosco and many others - I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else in the world.

Agullo is the best interpreter of Brazilian music I have heard in Europe, both in his singing, all in Portuguese, and in his superb rhythm playing. He is dedicated to it and to the swing, the poetry, the rhythm, the acoustic harmonies of it. He said in his introduction 'Brazilian music is ...(he paused for an intake of breath) ...a big life.' Applause too for his band, the subtle percussion of Sega Seck, the fluid soloing of Thomas Fontvielle and the melodic bass of Philippe Panel. Catch them - the Tempo Brazil Quartet - whenever you can.

I've tried to play some, I've listened to a lot more, and I share his view that Brazilian music - for me, especially that which is derived from samba and bossa nova - opens a door to another world. Step through and you have ... a bigger life.