Rob Curto
Piano De Fole
A delightful, playful and energetic mix of Brazilian folk, samba rhythms, classical and just a touch of lounge atmosphere, reminiscent of Pink Martini (doing Brazilian music) or Claude Bolling.
Italian-American musician ROB CURTO brings passion, energy and musicality to the accordion, shedding new light on the instrument’s many timbral and rhythmic possibilities. The Los Angeles Times writes that, “Curto’s originals..combine traditional authenticity with persuasive dashes of jazz.” An early devotee of North American swing music, bebop piano, funk, rock and blues; Curto combines these influences with his mastery of their South American counterparts forró, chorinho, samba, maracatu, frevo and the many other styles that belong the Brazilian accordion tradition. The result is completely original, authentic and stimulating to fans of all kinds, and has earned the accordion many a convert, who profess to having discovered a love for the instrument at one of his shows.
Curto is a product of New York City’s diverse musical culture and has toured with artists such as Lila Downs, David Krakauer, Frank London and Cyro Batista. However, he also spent years living and playing in Brazil, completely absorbing and interpreting that country’s musical traditions. He has studied and performed with some of Brazil’s great accordionists such as Dominguinhos, Arlindo dos Oito Baixos, Camarão and Silveirinha. He has also played with artists such as star Brazilian mandolinist Hamilton de Holanda, Alencar 7 Cordas, Yamandú and Márcio Bahia. He was a member of the original scene of musicians who established a strong presence in New York City for forró, the dance music of northeastern Brazil, which has became the city’s most recent dance craze.
His group has performed at major festivals and performing arts centers such as the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Minneapolis, the Skirball Center in Los Angeles, the Chicago World Music Festival, Lotus Fest in Indianapolis, the Lowell Folk Festival in Lowell, Mass., the Festival International in Lafayette, La., the Chico World Music Festival in Chico, Ca., Festival International Nuits d’Afrique in Montreal, the Cotati Accordion Festival and the International Accordion Festival in San Antonio, Tx., among others.
Curto was also recently highlighted as a teacher at the prestigious California Brazil Camp in Cazadero, Ca. He was the first person to teach this style of music at the camp and he led an ensemble class including accordionists, percussionists, bass, guitar, violin and winds. His performances during the week were also an important part of the program. Curto is part of a larger movement of musicians in the United States who are introducing the music of the northeast of Brazil to a public accustomed to hearing only the bossa nova of Jobim and samba from Rio de Janeiro. Familiarizing people with Frevo, Maracatu, Baião, Xote, Arrasta-Pé, Coco, and the myriad musical styles from the culturally-rich northeastern part of Brazil.
Curto recently recorded his latest release “Piano de Fole” under the musical direction of Brazilian mandolinst Dudu Maia. Recorded in Brasília, Brazil, with musicians from Brasília and Rio (such as Fabio Luna and George Lacerda), this CD contains original compositions, improvisation and traditional Brazilian repertoire by composers such as Jacob do Bandolim, Jobim and Gonzaguinha. A new recording is planned for 2008 which will explore in greater depth the variety of music from northeastern Brazil with a distinctly North American influence. Rob’s discography also includes Frank London’s Klezmer Brass All-Stars’ acclaimed CD, Carnival Conspiracy, Beat The Donkey Beat, the latest release by master Brazilian percussionist Cyro Baptista, Lila Downs’ La Cantina, recently released on Narada records and the latest CD by the group Nation Beat, soon to be released
Latin: Brazilian Folk