Coletivo Gira Sol Azul feat. Pedro Abrunhosa

9 de Setembro, 2020 – 21H30
Parque Aquilino Ribeiro

Concerto: Jazz
Duração: 90 min. aprox.
Com:  Joaquim Rodrigues (direção e teclados), Pedro Lemos (baixo), Bruno Pinto (guitarra), Marito Marques (bateria), Ana Bento, Catarina Almeida, Célia Botelho e Ricardo Augusto (back vocals).
Fotografia de Arlindo Camacho
Tag: Jazz
Duration: 90 min. aprox.
With: Joaquim Rodrigues (direction and keys), Pedro Lemos (bass), Bruno Pinto (guitar), Marito Marques (drums), Ana Bento, Catarina Almeida, Célia Botelho e Ricardo Augusto (back vocals).
Photo by: Arlindo Camacho

POR
Com oito discos de originais publicados, o impacto de Pedro Abrunhosa no panorama musical português é enorme e, num ano que o Que Jazz É Este? se foca na produção nacional, é com orgulho que promovemos o cruzamento deste artista com o Colectivo Gira Sol Azul.
É um concerto incomum que resulta de uma residência artística. Abrunhosa e o Colectivo estarão a trabalhar juntos nos dias anteriores ao concerto para trazem um espectáculo único. A força e a energia que se desenvolve durante este período de criação explode em palco.
Pedro Abrunhosa que desde sempre escolheu o caminho mais difícil, volta a aceitar um novo desafio num concerto que promete deixar boas memórias.

ENG
With eight records of originals published, Pedro Abrunhosa’s impact on the Portuguese music scene is enormous and, in a year that Que Jazz É Este? focuses on national production, it is with pride that we promote the crossing of this artist with Colectivo Gira Sol Azul.
It is an unusual concert that results from an artistic residency. Abrunhosa and Colectivo will be working together in the days before the concert to bring a unique show. The strength and the energy that develops during this period of creation explodes on stage.
Pedro Abrunhosa, who has always chosen the most difficult path, returns to accept a new challenge in a concert that promises to leave good memories.

SOBRE PEDRO ABRUNHOSA

Pedro Abrunhosa escolheu desde sempre o caminho mais difícil. A sua história pública não começa com uma banda de garagem mas pelo Conservatório. Não começou por ganhar fama na música ligeira para se aventurar depois em projectos mais ousados. Fez ao contrário: aos 16 anos estudava Análise, Composição e História da Música com Álvaro Salazar e Jorge Peixinho na Escola de Música do Porto e, posteriormente, com Cândido Lima no Conservatório. Por essa altura integrava já o Grupo de Música Contemporânea de Madrid.

Entrou na música pela via erudita. E quando chegou ao jazz era um erudito a tocar jazz. Estudou e tocou com Todd Coolman, Joe Hunt, Wallace Rooney, Gerry Nyewood e Steve Brown. E depois com Adriano Aguiar e Alejandro Erlich Oliva, seus mestres de contrabaixo. Foram os anos do jazz. Participou em seminários internacionais, formou bandas, tocou em orquestras, realizou tournées. Colaborou com grandes figuras como Paul Motion, Bill Frisell, Joe Lovano, David Liebman, Billy Hart. Ensinou contrabaixo na escola do Hot Club de Lisboa, fundou a Escola de Jazz do Porto, a “Cool Jazz Orchestra”, a “Máquina do Som” e, finalmente, os “Bandemónio”, grupo integralmente constituído por alunos seus.

Começava a epopeia do primeiro álbum: “Viagens”, editado em 1994. Um disco de rock cheio de jazz e de vida. Pedro Abrunhosa sempre viajou. Pelos vários continentes da música, tal como pelo mundo, com uma Renault 4L em segunda mão ou à boleia, com uma mochila às costas. Ao contrário de muitos outros, o seu percurso musical foi do mais complexo ao mais simples, rumo à depuração da linguagem, com destino à essência das coisas. Quando chegou ao rock trazia a mochila cheia de História e de rigor. “Viagens”, com a parceria de Maceo Parker, o eterno companheiro de James Brown, atingiu marcas de vendas ate então inéditas em Portugal. E assim prosseguiria com os trabalhos seguintes.

Pedro Abrunhosa comparecia finalmente ao encontro que parecia marcado há muito com as grandes audiências. Tinha algo para lhes dizer, e foi entendido. Esse pacto com as multidões nunca mais foi quebrado. Em 1995 lança o maxi-single “F” e em 1996 o álbum “Tempo”, que vendeu 80 mil exemplares em apenas uma semana. Em 1999 é lançado “Silêncio” e em 2002 “Momento”, o álbum triplo “Palco” em 2003 , “Intimidade”, gravado ao vivo na inauguração da Casa da Música do Porto, em 2005, “Luz” em 2007. Fundador dos BoomStudios em 2005, é partir deste espaço, ‘catedral de silêncio’ como o próprio o designa, que Pedro Abrunhosa centraliza os seus futuros trabalhos aos quais soma a função de editor.

2010 é ano de viragem. Reúne os Comité Caviar, alia-se ao produtor João Bessa e lança os álbuns “Longe”, “Contramão” em 2013 e “Espiritual” em 2019. Em todos Pedro Abrunhosa deixa patente a sua poderosa escrita e neles deixa Canções que se juntam a tantos outros hinos, lendas, adágios a que o Autor nos habituou desde sempre. Durante todo este período são milhares os concertos, recintos cheios, Festivais, salas esgotadas, digressões que o levaram a todo mundo.

Multiplatinado em praticamente todos os discos, Pedro Abrunhosa foi distinguido com todos os prémios nacionais de relevância: três Globos de Ouro, Prémio Bordallo de Imprensa quatro Prémios Blitz, Medalha de Ouro de Mérito Cultural pela Autarquia da Gaia, Prémio SPA – Pedro Osório-, quatro prémios Nova Era, Prémio Play Vodafone, Prémio Prestígio Nova Gente, Prémio Melhor Compositor RCL, Prémio Telemóvel de Ouro, Prémio Arco-Iris da Ilga, Rádio Alvor-Melhor Álbum Nacional, Distinção Rotary – Profissional do Ano e muitos outros.

Pedro Abrunhosa, viajante, escritor, homem de palco por excelência é na estrada que se reencontra. Agora não leva a mochila nem vai sozinho. Na bagagem as Canções e, por companhia, o imenso público que arrasta.

ABOUT PEDRO ABRUNHOSA

It can easily be argued that Pedro Abrunhosa has always chosen the most difficult path in life. Unlike most musicians who start off as part of a ‘garage band’ or make a name for themselves in light music before progressing onto more daring projects, Abrunhosa decided to do the opposite. Aged 16, he studied Analysis, Composition and History of Music with Álvaro Salazar and Jorge Peixinho at the School of Music of Oporto. He later went on to study Composition with Cândido Lima at the Conservatory of Music of Oporto. At this time, he was also invited to participate in composer Enrique X. Macias’ “Contemporary Music Group of Madrid”, with whom he performed both in Portugal and Spain.

Abrunhosa entered into the world of music via the academic route and quickly became a talented jazz musician. In 1984, he went to Madrid to study with bass player Todd Coolman and fellow musicians Joe Hunt, Wallace Rooney, Gerry Niewood and Steve Brown. Shortly afterwards, he studied the double bass with musicians Adriano Aguiar and Alejandro Erlich Oliva. Those were Abrunhosa’s jazz years. He went on to participate in international seminars, form music groups, play in orchestras and complete tours, all the while collaborating with noteworthy figures, including Paul Motion, Bill Frisell, Joe Lovano, David Liebman and Billy Hart. He taught the double bass in the Hot Club de Lisboa School, directed and produced the radio program “Até Jazz” for the Rádio Clube do Porto, and also founded the Oporto Jazz School and the “Cool Jazz Orchestra”, which later evolved into the group “Pedro Abrunhosa e a Máquina do Som” (Pedro Abrunhosa and the sound machine) playing original material.

In 1994, he released the album “Viagens” (Travels) with the band “Bandemónio”, venturing into the genre of lively jazz rock. Whether it was by a second-hand Renault 4L or hitch-hiking as a backpacker, Pedro Abrunhosa traversed the world as he did musical genres. Contrary to other artists, his musical career went from the most difficult end of the spectrum to the easiest, deconstructing language and showing an appreciation for the essence of things along the way. When he delved into rock, he brought with him a lifetime’s worth of experiences and teachings. “Viagens” went triple-platinum, with more than 140,000 copies sold, finally earning public recognition and playing to large audiences at a time. He had something to say, and his audiences were listening.

Since then, he has enjoyed continued success. In 1995, he released the EP “F”, followed by the album “Tempo” (Time) in 1996. The album sold more than 80,000 copies in its first week, and would eventually go on to reach quadruple-platinum status, selling over 180,000 copies. In 1999, he released “Silêncio” (Silence), followed by “Momento” (Moment) in 2002, achieving platinum and double platinum status respectively. The 3-disk album “Palco” (Stage), released in 2003 and featuring live performances, sold more than 70,000 copies, followed two years later by a live DVD recorded at the inauguration of the Casa da Música (House of Music) concert hall in Oporto, which became another great success, despite the economic crisis. In 2007, he released the album “Luz” (Light).

2010 marked a big turning point in his career. He reunited with the band “Comité Caviar” and worked with the producer João Bessa, eventually releasing the double-platinum selling album “Longe” (Far away). Songs such as “Fazer o que ainda não foi feito”, “Não desistas de mim”, “Pode o céu ser tão longe” became an integral part of Abrunhosa’s unique repertoire of musical compositions. During this time, he travelled the length and breadth of Portugal, performing to sold-out crowds on a 100-date tour, which also included dates in Brazil, Spain, France and Angola. Each show is unique; each show is unforgettable.

In December 2013, Abrunhosa released his seventh studio album “Contramão”, (Opposite direction) featuring 11 new songs, including the singles “Toma conta de mim” (Take care of me) and “Voamos em Contramão” (Flying in opposite direction).

‘For me, an album is more and more like a book; a continuous narrative of mixed-up stories which come together in the music I write, the characters I create – sometimes tormented, other times content – and in the feelings of loss and defeat that a lot of people can relate to. I speak about myself through the voices of others but I substitute myself for them using my own voice. Ever since becoming a musician, I always looked to improve the simplicity of that which truly fascinates me: writing songs. Whatever music I make is just that: my life expressed though lyrics and harmony. If listeners can relate to it too then my job is done and I can hit the road with the next album in mind.’

The words of Pedro Abrunhosa who, for this latest album, teamed up once again with musicians “Comité Caviar” and the producer João Bessa, just like with his last album. “Contramão” was recorded in Boom Studios and features special duets with Camané and the Catalan flamenco star Duquende. Camané is one of the best fado singers of his generation and is considered a Portuguese national treasure. Speaking of Duquende, Paco de Lucia once stated that ‘In Barcelona, there is a monster – Duquende. He possesses the magic of song, inspiration and technique’. Boasting a long and fruitful career (his first album was released in 1988), Duquende has worked with some of the finest names in flamenco, including Juan Carmona, Juan Goméz, Paco de Lucia and Vicente Amigo. To duet with any flamenco star, let alone Duquende, was a dream come true for Abrunhosa. As well as “Comité Caviar”, the Saint Dominic Choir (conducted by João Castro) and the Matosinhos String Quartet (“Quarteto de Cordas de Matosinhos), conducted by Pedro Moreira, were also invited to participate in the recording process.

Pedro Abrunhosa chose 30th November 2018 to release his 8th album, Espiritual. Produced with João Bessa, it features the special contributions of performers such as France’s Carla Bruni, renowned Ana Moura, jazz revelation Elisa Rodrigues, Mexico’s Lila Downs, America’s Lucinda Williams and Brazil’s Ney Matogrosso, not to mention British percussionist Karl Van Den Bossche and American guitarist Greg Leisz. On Espiritual, Pedro Abrunhosa confronts the fleeting nature of the digital world that emprisons so many of us, affectionately exploring the social dynamics of the modern world, and through it reveals himself to be a musician who still has much to say.

“Over the last two years, I’ve written and composed over thirty songs but only fifteen of those are included on my eighth album, Espiritual. We recorded almost every day for two years with Comité Caviar at Boom Studios with the brilliant sound engineer João Bessa, who produced the record with me, turning the concept into something of substance with a real identity. Like all albums, it consists of a set of songs that only really come to life when performed on stage in front of a live audience. It hangs together through pure attention to detail, but the real essence of Espiritual is in the lyrics. At a time when everything is so ephemeral, I try to make sure my inspiration is more deeply rooted: coming from within and from whatever influences my senses.”

O concerto