Chorinho Americano

Mike Marshall and Choro Famoso: Um Abraço Seu Dominguinhos / Cochichando
From Choro Famoso, 2004

I first posted some Brazilian choro/chorinho a couple weeks ago -- it's an intricate, swinging sound that borrows from samba rhythms, jazz harmony, and European dance tunes.

Here's some more, from right in my own backyard: Oakland, CA. Mandolinist Mike Marshall is an alumnus of the David Grisman Quintet, best known for his bluegrass-ish creations. In the mid-90s, he discovered choro and proceeded to devour every last tune he could find. He started Choro Famoso with a cast of A-list Bay Area musicians, and their long-awaited debut CD came out last year on Adventure Music.

Though guitarist Carlos Oliveira is the only Brazilian among the bunch, these tunes swing with all the authority of true masters. If you're in California, you can catch them live right now -- this weekend in Mill Valley and Berkeley, and next week in Santa Cruz. Click here for the calendar.

Click here to buy the CD