Anyone joining me at Brazil Camp week 2 at Cazadero CA?

[alb]

I've decided to take my bandolim down to Brazil camp in N.CA. I've heard a lot about this workshop, and it sounds fun. My ever lovin wife has also pushed me to do it. Wonderful to have that kind of support...though she does get some alone time to work on her Hawaiian quilts.

I think my playing is at least up to jamming ability finally. Also, to those who may have gone before, do I need to bring a pignose or other tiny amp to be heard over the din? Or is there enough separation of drumming etc to get by ok?

It will be a trip to the past. I lived in Guerneville in 1970, long before the current craze of upscale SF folks invaded (as I understand it). It was quite a scene back then, with hippies in the Redwoods, floods wiping out the town, and not a wine grape anywhere in sight, cept Ripple. I can still bring back the smell of that earth and trees simply by thinking of Guerneville. There was a lot wrong with that scene, but a lot of my direction, for what it has been as an amateur player, came out of it. I certainly don't want to return to that long gone era, nor could I, but it will bring back some good and bad memories...

hope to see at least one other cafe member there.

[Bruce Clausen]

Sounds great, Al. A percussionist friend from here (a very *tasteful* percussionist) has been a few times. He loved the atmosphere of the camp and came home with all kinds of new ideas, plus good contacts in the US and Brazil.

And yeah, it is a beautiful spot. I went to Cazadero a couple of times in the early sixties for the kids' music camp-- which I see is still going. But as you say, that was before the wine thing happened in the Russian River area. Hope some of that old atmosphere you knew is still around. Have a great time!

--Bruce

[Paul Kotapish]

The percussionist I play with in Wake the Dead, Brian Rice, has taught at the Cazadero Brazil camp many times over the years, and raves about it.

We were talking about it yesterday, in fact. He was saying that in addition to the world-class faculty and instruction and fun, the food there is sublime, and the meals alone are worth the price of admission.

I don't know Ted Falcon, but he's a great player and the whole scene should be inspiring.

And the Cazadero site--as you know--is lovely and relaxing. It's been a very cool summer here--even for northern California--so bring some layers.

Happy picking--and eating!

[Doug Hoople]

Hi Al,

I was at week 1 last year, and it was really great. Very different from the Symposium.

For one thing, drumming's the big thing, and the valley thunders with the sounds of Brazilian drumming. Very cool, but also overpowering. In the afternoons, I simply capitulate and use them for my metronome while I'm getting in my practice back at the tents. Whatever the drummers are drumming, that's my tempo and that's my rhythm.

Bring an amp. Not for practice, but for the ensembles, which consist of percussion, winds and piano, in addition to gutiars, cavaquinhos and mandolins. You probably won't need an amp for every rehearsal, but you'll need it more and more as the week progresses.

You'll be in ensembles all day and into the evening. Most of the teaching revolves around the ensembles, and you'll want to join several.

Choro is a little underrepresented relative to the other genres, but that's ok, because it's a feast of Brazilian arts. Keep an eye out for the danciing. It's varied and very good. Don't miss the sessions with Guinga... they're intimate and eye-opening. In general, there's a fairly high level of musicianship among the students, especially high among the jazz-oriented.

Kip Hargrove is supposed to be there, a cavaquinho player. Ron Galen, too, on 7-cordas. Say hi to both of them for me. They'll form the core of your student choro band, and you'll be able to get them to jam at night. Ted might, too, but he tends to seek the hot players and jams and leaves the students to their own devices for the jams.

Oh, one last thing. The ground in Cazadero is pretty dusty by late August. Sandals are ok, but you'll wind up with a lot of grit between your toes, so bring a pair of closed walking/running shoes.

Have fun, Al, and don't forget to report back here with your experiences!

[alb]

Thanks Doug. As you know, I'll likely bring along a video camera, so I'll do my best to help share the fun. I plan to bring my pandeiro so I might be part of the thunder in the valley. I suspected I might need an amp, so I will bring one. I also assumed that Choro is underrepresented, as it likely always is when Brazilian music is being played. I'm thrilled that there is a high level of musicianship, as I am a bit beyond some places where it's been pretty rudimentary playing. I'm trying to push the envelope. I'll just do what I can, and see where the chips fall. I am looking to expand on my ensemble work, so I think it will be useful. I tend to remember a lot of fleas in hot and dusty N.CA so I won't be wearing my Crocs...but thx for the reminder.