Focus On: Music of Northeast Brazil

For courses with an in-depth approach to the music of Brazil, this fascinating volume explores the music of the country's Northeast region, gauging its historical and cultural importance within the nation's diverse culture. Think of Brazilian music and images of Carnival revelers pouring through the streets of Rio to a relentless samba beat. But the samba and other Brazilian folk music traditions actually have their roots in the Northeast, arguably the country's richest, most culturally diverse region. Based on the author's field and archival research over a fifteen year period, this fascinating handbook shows how the musical culture of northeast Brazil emerged and evolved, exploring the interrelated traditional musical styles that helped give the region - and ultimately the Brazilian nation - such a distinctive cultural identity. Moving from broad comparative overviews to specific types of music, the book looks at the social contexts, performance practices, musical structures, and cultural meanings that lie behind the music and provides up-close encounters with contemporary musicians creating and maintaining the area's traditions. Additionally, the book examines the role of music and dance traditions in shaping racial identities in Brazil. The accompanying CD brings the book's ideas and discoveries vividly to life.Crook, Larry is the author of 'Focus On: Music of Northeast Brazil', published 2009 under ISBN 9780415960663 and ISBN 0415960665.