Jazzfest.Wien History 2019

Fotos: Gerard Giaume, Gerard Giame

Gilberto Gil

Gilberto Gil is one of Brasil’s most renowned and beloved singer/songwriter. His New Year’s Eve concert at the Copacabana drew in a crowd of more than 2,5 million fans. In summer he will be playing at the Vienna State Opera for the first time.

Gilberto Gil has the gift of incorporating every aspect of daily life into his work. From family life to political, social or cultural movements that characterizes his time, everything is an inspiration for a new song, an idea for a melody, an ingenious harmonic movement.

Gil has already sung the songs from the northeast of Brazil, that live in his childhood in Ituaçu, and in his immortal admiration of Luiz Gonzaga. He has sung about technological developments and their impact on the human journey. He has immersed himself in the depths of being celebrating feast and faith. From tropicalist electric guitars to the intimate acoustic guitar, his integrity and commitment to the goddess of music is unshakable. Gil is not afraid of death and not afraid of life. Thus begins a new phase in his career: the first album of old age.

OK OK OK brings family, close friends, the illness he experienced and those who helped him through it. At the same time, he questions the need for having to take a stand as demanded by society. The arrangements amplify his iconic interpretation in voice and guitar. The musical production by his son Bem and the participation of friends and family stand out in the intimate aspect of this work.

With horns, backing vocals, keyboards, guitars and percussion, Gilberto Gil proposes to the public his interpretations of the particular universe of OK OK OK together with a selection of his classics that are already part of the life and history of Brazil. Old age is not an obstacle to vitality in his performance, but rather a nuance in the infinite tiers of an artist who continues to experiment under any circumstance.

BATALA BOOM Samba Percussion Band

BATALA BOOM will perform in the foyer of the Vienna State Opera before the concert of Gilberto Gil from 6:30 PM till the start of the concert.

BATALA BOOM is an afro-brazilian samba-percussion-band, which has set itself the task of bringing the unique sound, the spirit and the brazilian joy of life to Austria. Only equipped with drums, the musicians ignite a rhythmic firework that makes the ground shake and is guaranteed to set the legs of each listener in motion.
The band is an open project for anybody, who always wanted to experience and create this energetic music. Beginner courses offer anyone interested the opportunity to try out the samba rhythm. Previous knowledge is not required.
More information at www.batalaboom.at