Weekend guide: Revolutions and ‘Chocolate’

Good Times: Maria João and Mario Laginha in Jazz Concert

A not-to-miss jazz concert on Monday evening is included in local celebrations of the Day of the People’s Republic of China (October 1) and The Revolution of 1910 in Portugal (October 5).
Maria João and Mário Laginha are back again in Macau to thrill audiences with songs from their latest album “Chocolate” performing on 3 October, 8pm, at the University of Macau Cultural Centre Theatre.
The show is presented by Casa de Portugal, with the support of Macau Foundation.
The duo’s music is widely described as “not fitting into narrow definitions” – based on jazz and improvisation, it incorporates influences from classical music, Portuguese and African folk music, the rich Latin-American tradition and the pop universe, amongst others.
The pair started to work together 25 years ago, engaged in a unique musical involvement. They performed hundreds of concerts in Portugal and abroad and recorded several albums. An irreprehensible technique is combined with the emotion and versatility of Maria João’s voice and the vigorous lyricism of pianist Mário Laginha.
After their last studio recording in 2004, entitled “Tralha”, the duo resumed their unique path with this new album, “Chocolate”, featuring original songs and versions of standards. With a more “jazzy” register, the album celebrates 25 years since their first encounter in 1983, when they recorded the first album of the then Maria João Quintet, with Mário Laginha at the piano.  
The breakthrough capacity of the duo transforms each record and every concert in a moment of creativity and emotion. The music they produce is, first of all, the music that they like and want to do. When we hear it, we can identify the originality and the cultural influences of the countries where they have been playing. Together they recorded eleven records, all of them acclaimed by the critics, and the same is happening with “Chocolate”, their latest work. In line with the individual paths and other projects they are part of, Maria João and Mário Laginha’s duo has become an icon of jazz in Portugal.
They last performed in Macao in 2004, hugely applauded in an open-air concert at Mount Fortress, during the 18th edition of Macao International Music Festival, which counted over 2000 spectators.

More on:
www.casadeportugal.ctm.net