WEEKLY SYLLABUS: BRAZILIAN CULTURE & MUSIC
Instructor: Dr. Sherry Keith with co-instructor Ami Molinelli, MFA Contact: [email protected] , [email protected] Websites: sherrykeith.org , www.amimo.com
Course Description: Brazilian Culture and Music focuses on the rich Afro-European roots of Brazilian music since the 19th century. Each session will include lecture, listening, and practice of some rhythmic basics. We will explore the strong classical traditions of Europe influencing music in early 20th century Brazil. We will dive into the development of samba and the traditions of Carnival throughout three regions. We will examine the rise of Bossa Nova in the early 1950s followed by the flood of subtle protest music (MPB) during the Brazilian military dictatorship (1964- 1985). Our journey will end with Samba Reggae and Axé music of Salvador, Bahia as the nation explores its African heritage more deeply. A playlist for listening before or after class will be curated by the instructors. A bibliography of published sources in English and/or Portuguese will be available to enrolled participants.
WEEK 1: BRAZILIAN CULTURAL & HISTORY UNTIL THE 19TH CENTURY & THE MYSTERY OF THE CARAXÁ January 20 Bring to class – spiral notebook for Week 2
WEEK 2: THE AFRO-BRAZILIAN FUSION (19TH CENTURY BRAZIL) January 27 EXPLORING 19TH CENTURY BRAZIL FROM CULTURAL & MUSICIAL PERSEPCTIVES To bring to class – HOMEMADE SHAKER for Week 2
WEEK 3: MIXED UP IN PARIS February 3 BRAZILIAN , CUBAN & NEW ORLEANS MEET IN PARIS & BRAZILIAN SOUNDS OF THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY
WEEK 4: CARNAVAL: THEN AND NOW February 10
WEEK 5: BRAZIL GOES TO HOLLYWOOD February 17 THE GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICY
WEEK 6: BOSSA NOVA, JAZZ & SAMBA February 24 WHAT IS BOSSA NOVA? RACIAL PROFILES IN BOSSA NOVA AND THE BACKLASH
WEEK 7: MPB (MUSICA POPULAR BRAZILEIRA) & THE 60S March 3 A PROTEST MOVEMENT THROUGH MUSIC
WEEK 8: BRAZILIAN MUSIC HERE& THERE& EVERYWHERE March 10 Partial Bibliography & Supplemental Reading
• Bossa Nova: The Story of the Brazilian Music That Seduced the World Ruy Castro (Chicago, A Capella Books, 2000)
• The Mystery of Samba Hermano Vianna (Chapel Hill & London, University of North Carolina Press, 1999) • Choro: A Social History of a Brazilian Popular Music Tamara Elena Livingston-Isenhour & Thomas George Caracas Garcia, 2005
• Making Samba: A New History of Race & Music in Brazil Marc A. Hertzman (Duke University Press, North Carolina, 2013)
• Musica Brasileira Claus Schreiner (Marion Boyars Publisher, Ltd. 1993, NY)
• Ginga: A Brazilian Way to Grove, Jovino Santos Neto (available on course website) • Samba Alma Guillermoprieto (1st Vintage Departures Books, 1991) • Tropical Truth: A Story of Music & Revolution in Brazil Caetano Veloso ( De Capo Press2003, New York)
Sources in Portuguese Chiquinha Gonzaga Dalva Lazaroni (Editora Nova Fronteira, 1999) A Trama dos Tambores: A Musica Afro-Pop de Salvador Goli Guerreiro (Editora 34, Sao Paulo, 2000) A MPB em Movimento: Musica, Festivais e Censura Ramon Casas Vilarino (Editora Olho d’Agua) Historia Social da Musica Popular Brasileira Jose Rmos Tinhorao (Editoral Caminho Lisboa, 1990) “Samba E Fascismo” from Guia Politicalmente Incorrecto da Historia do Brasil, Leandro Narlock, 2009
Brazilian History These recommended Brazilian history texts are just of few many which students will want to consult from time to time in order to better understanding the inter- relationships between the Brazilian roots of jazz and the larger historical context in which Brazil music evolved. The History of Brazil Robert M. Levine (Palgrave MacMillan, 1999)
Brazil: Five Centuries of Change Thomas E. Skidmore (Oxford University Press, 1999)
A History of Brazil (latest edition) E. Bradford Burns
Recommended Video Documentaries of Brazilian Music Segments of some will be viewed in class. These are, however, probably the best way to become familiar with Brazil music and students should make every effort to view as many as possible over the semester. Some are available at the Berkeley Public Library; You Tube or for purchase.
Orfeu Negro(Black Orpheus) Marcel, Camus1959
“Tropicalalia” Marcelo Machado
Chiquinha Gonzaga telenovela, 2008