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Chad Dunn, the percussionist for Champaign’s Desafinado, described the band’s mission perfectly. We were sitting in his garage that was filled with instruments, many of which he had made. On the wall was a Brazilian flag. He said, “We are all about transportation. We take people away.” That is exactly what I felt the first time I heard this seven-piece ensemble perform. Even during the coldest, darkest days of an Illinois winter Desafinado makes you feel as if you are walking a Brazilian beach or strolling the streets of Rio. I was struck that here in central Illinois you could find this music being played authentically and passionately.
The members of the band have either studied music in Brazil or researched Brazilian music and culture extensively. They found each through their mutual love of bossa nova, samba and MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira). Lead singer Simone da Silva says that as a teen she did not appreciate the music of her home country. Instead she was into American pop. But when she first came to the U.S. she missed her native culture and began checking out Brazilian music from the library. She says she chooses songs that break from the stereotypes about Brazil. “People know Brazil for Copacabana, soccer and Carnival. But there is so much more.” She sings songs that talk about Brazilian history or showcase a songwriter who faced censorship. All the band members hope their music instills an appreciation for the amazing culture and vast music scene of Brazil. But for everyone at their show, they hope an educational experience is secondary to just losing yourself in their wonderful music.
You can catch the band the first Friday of every month from 5-7 p.m. at The Cowboy Monkey in downtown Champaign or check their Web site (link below) for their complete schedule. Thanks so much to Ward Gollings, Bob Henne and Tifani Moot for making our shoot of the band’s performance at the Monkey possible.
Segment duration: 12:19
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Producer: Alison Davis Wood
This segment is filed in these categories: Music • Champaign
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