‘Guinga’ has become a musical legend in Brazil. Born in 1950, in a working-class barrio of Rio, his family were music-lovers and he was exposed to classical music, jazz and bossa nova from a young age. However, it wasn’t until the 1990s that he began to gain recognition for his work nationwide. In the meantime, to be able to pay the bills, he became a dentist for over 30 years! Now 74 years of age, ‘Guinga’ took to the stage at ‘Matisse Club’ with a humble & unassuming aura. To begin the show to a packed audience, we were treated to a beautiful guitar instrumental from his impressive back catalogue.

No doubt, he is a virtuoso musician who plays brilliant guitar…but it is always to serve the song and never to show off. His voice is somewhat singular too. It can range from defiant to sensual to operatic and sometimes sad & reflective and humorous as well.  Somehow, a gently rebellious spirit akin to a younger and happier Syd Barrett appears from time to time. Like Pink Floyd’s founder, Guinga is another talented eccentric but more grounded and whose ‘celebrity’ came much later in his life.

Arguably, this is ‘art music’ without being arty. In other words, Guinga is the real deal. His music combines a profound knowledge of Brazilian, American, Spanish, Portuguese and classical music. He has plenty of life experience to draw on too. Long walks and playing football are two of his other passions! In Spanish, with a sparkle in his eyes, he apologized that he couldn’t really speak Spanish so he was going to explain the songs to us in Portuguese for the rest of the concert…and that is what he did, which actually added to the Brazilian flavour of this memorable gig.

Soon, ‘Guinga’ was joined by Jorge Pardo on flute. He is Spain’s most lauded flautist and saxophonist and has played with Chick Corea, Camaron de La Isla and Paco de Lucia to name but a few. Suffice to say, the musical combination of Guinga’s guitar and Pardo’s flute was superb and full of swing and groove and it lifted the concert to another level… in terms of colour and atmosphere. Their interpretation of Ellington’s ‘In a Sentimental Mood’ was very memorable, really getting inside the tune as their feelings poured out via their instruments… and they really connected with the public too.

Another surprise guest was singer Gabriela Kozyra. Originally from Poland and now based in Porto, she lived in Brazil and studied the music to such an extent that she has become a rising star of Brazilian & Jazz music in her own right. Her pitch perfect voice was lucid and emotive and mature and sometimes with a gentle melancholy too. Indeed, she complemented Guinga’s guitar chords with a Brazilian grace. Check out her ‘Noites Brasileiras’ album.

From front to back, ‘Matisse Club’ was packed with music fans and musicians from the vibrant local scene on this special night.  They insisted on an encore and ‘Guinga’ was happy to oblige and dedicated “my final song… to Spain, Portugal and Africa…all the places that have influenced Brazilian music!” 

This was truly a night to remember at ‘Matisse Club,’ which is bringing a lot of quality music to Valencia. Many thanks to Marta Rodríguez of ‘La Mundial’ https://www.instagram.com/lamundialmusic/ for bringing ‘Guinga’ to Spain.

Report by Will McCarthy

Photos copyright Phillip Solomonson/ ‘24/7 Valencia’

Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’

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