The Assad Brothers brought their sister Badi (pronounced bah-jee, who knew?), jazz-oriented guitarist Romero Lubambo, and guitarist/vocalist/folklorist and percussion wizard Celso Machado to Sanders Theatre on Friday evening for the first stop of their Brazilian Guitar Festival tour. Some highly subjective impressions (feel free to chime in; the comment link is at the bottom of this post):
For many in the audience (based on rigorous scientific polling), the concert came across as a warm, familial affair. There was a lot of joy evident; joy in the music, joy in the company of family and old and new friends, just joy. And it radiated throughout the hall. It was the kind of concert where the musicians that were not on stage were clustered in the wings to listen.
There were hiccups - "have you ever tried to tune five guitars?" one of the brothers said shyly before a quintet number towards the end of the evening - but it was the tour's first stop. No one seemed to care. They got in the way of nothing that mattered.
The five musicians covered a lot of Brazilian music in two hours, from classical compositions and jazz-oriented songs, to pop music and folk-inspired percussion and wordless vocals played on anything at hand (a la Hermeto Pascoal).
Badi Assad, clearly reveling in her "kid sister" role, enjoyed herself immensely and told the audience what an honor and a joy it was to play with her older brothers who, "taught me everything I know about the guitar."
Celso Machado was a revelation. With hand and vocal percussion he provided the rhythmic underpinnings on every piece that required it, even while contributing harmonically or melodically. There was something of the one-man-band about him. His CD sold out at intermission.
Badi's vocal gymnastics - clicks and pops with her mouth while humming a legato main melody, was the most stunning example - did not get overplayed, or get in the way of making music.
More than one observer compared Badi's singing to Bjork. Make of that what you will.
Romero Lubambo was as charming and funny as when he visited with Luciana Souza two years ago. He told of getting advice from the late flutist Herbie Mann, with whom he toured extensively, to always carry a tin of sardines on tour, so no matter where you were and at what hour, you always had food.
