The members of the brasilian band Bagunçaço are between
16 and 20 years. The music has its roots in Africa and swings wildly
Producer is the swede Lennart Kjörling.
PHOTO: LARS NYMAN
Bagunçaço. The successful tour of the 20-manband has reached Stockholm
Waterfestival
by Martin Stugart
08-738 10 68
The sound of Bagunçaço is as hot as the sun of Africa. Their music comes from the black continent even if the members of the group have grown up in Brasil, The musical hertage is present in the dance and the fabulous rhytm of the drums. This is not strange. African folklore has been played for generations in the poor quarters of Salvador de Bahia. Today Bagunçaço will perform on Blå scenen at Skeppsbron kl 17. Be prepared for a very colourful and joyful concert. The swing is very powerful
THE TWENTYMANBAND
Bagunçaço will shortly end their tour through
Europe, which has been full of success.
-We started the tour in France and got a fantastic response.
People were like crazy, says the swede Lennart Kjörling. He is producer,
but has also plaeyd in Hägersten Hot Heaven. One year ago he was sent
by the swedish organisation UBV to take care of the cultural group Bagunçaço.
No one in the band is older than 20, the youngest is 16. They are a selected
elite of the 200 members of the cultural group. Everything started when
some boys played percussionon in the streets of Salvador do Bahias in the
beginning of the 90:s. Joselito Crispim was the name of a 20 year old guy
who happened to pass by and listen to them.
-Crispim got the idea to transform the energy and the power of the boys into something positive. He formed a cultural group, says Lennart Kjörling. The portuguese word Bagunça means "chaos". The extra syllable "ço" means bigger, thus "just one big chaos", smiles Kjörling.
THE MUSIC of the group has its roots in Bahia, the part of Brazil where the african heritage is most appearant. Here about 80% of the population is black and looks after its roots with care .
-Most of the people worship their old gods, even if it is with a catholic disguise. But it fools no one, at least not the priests, says Lennart Kjörling. Some of the youngsters who will play tonight on Blå scenen have been members of Bagunçaço since its origin. Among them Ubiratan Assis. He is mestre, director and leader of the 20-mangruop. He thinks that the Europa tour has meant a lot:
-It has been one big challange for us. We made it and it made us come closer, we work better together and we have more pride. Tomorrow friday everybody kan see more of Bagunçaço.The will make a three hours concert on Bouleplan at Danvikstull at 19 o´clock.