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Luiz Salgado is an explorer of the soul of deepest Brazil. The singer-songwriter makes popular Brazilian music steeped in his home region of Minas Gerais. He will be at Balattou on July 15 as part of the 38th edition of the Festival Nuits d’Afrique. Michel Labrecque interviewed him as he was about to leave his native country for Montreal. Here’s a summary.
Luiz Salgado jokingly tells me that he “doesn’t speak Portuguese, but rather Minas”. He grew up in this large Brazilian state, which has nothing to do with the image most of us have of Brazil. Here, there’s no sea, no Amazon rainforest, but rather mines, agriculture and savannah. This territory has shaped his musical proposition. “I try to embody a deep Brazil and its daily life,” he tells me in his native tongue.
Today, he lives in another part of Minas Gerais, which is part of the Cerrado, that immense eco-region that constitutes a savannah unique in the world, with a unique biodiversity. “There’s a unique folk culture here, influenced by the rhythms of Congo and Mozambique, which has blended with Portugal. “In my own way, I try to represent this culture, while adding the influence of today’s modern Brazil. I mix the ancestral with the contemporary.”
The flora and fauna of the cerrado are also threatened by the inevitable rise of intensive agriculture in the region. “I’m also trying to sound the alarm about the region’s future using poetry,” says Luiz.
Luiz Salgado’s favorite instrument is the “violão caipira”, a Portuguese guitar with five double strings, which has become a favorite in the Brazilian interior. “It’s a Portuguese instrument, but here it’s also used on many indigenous rhythms,” says Luiz.
Brazil is such a blend of the West, Africa and native indigenous culture. But when you listen to Luiz Salgado’s latest album, you also feel the influence of legends like Gilberto Gil, who also draws his inspiration from a more regional Brazil. And we also hear caipira, a style very close to North American country, also known as folia de reis.
Quanto Mais Meus Oito Chora, Mais O Mar Quebra Na Praia, released in 2016, is set with skilful arrangements, featuring numerous instruments, percussion and strings. At the Balattou concert, we’ll be treated to a scaled-down, solo version of Luiz Gonzaga’s songs. “It’ll be intimate, but you’ll understand my emotions and the culture of the Cerrado,” he promises.
Let’s hope the language barrier doesn’t prevent communication. This will be Luiz Salgado’s first visit to Montreal and Canada. He will be bringing his two Caipira guitars with him. He’s looking forward to meeting a new audience.
