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Brazilian band's promise: tired feet

The group says it gets people dancing by mixing bossa nova, electronic and lots of energy.

By TAMARA EL-KHOURY
Published October 20, 2006

CLEARWATER - Take traditional bossa nova sound, add electronica, pump in energy and you have Bossacucanova, one of tonight's performers at the annual Jazz Holiday.

At least that's how keyboardist Alex Moreira, 41, describes it. He and his fellow Brazilian bandmates - bassist Marcio Menescal, 40, and DJ Marcelinho DaLua, 35, promise to keep the audience dancing.

We sat down with the band shortly after their arrival Thursday:

Describe your sound.

DaLua: "Bossa nova is music from Brazil. Like a samba mix with the harmony from the jazz and the classical music."

Moreira: "It's very difficult to play samba, and these guys created a new style to play samba more simply and put these harmonies and melodies and mix it together to create this style of music.

How does jazz influence your music?

Moreira: "Bossa nova is the fusion of samba and jazz ... I like so much to listen and I like so much the harmonies."

What do you think of the other artists performing? Do you know Kenny G?

Moreira: "The saxophone player."

DaLua: "I don't like too much. I like him, but not his music ... Kenny G is very popular in Brazil."

Moreira: "He plays a kind of music more popular. He's not a jazz man."

What is an electronica band doing at a jazz festival?

Moreira: "The jazz festivals today are very open - have lots of kinds of musicians."

To someone who hasn't seen your show before, what would you tell them to expect?

Moreira: "Prepare your body because we're going to dance too much."

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[Last modified October 20, 2006, 07:39:19]