CHORO COLLECTIVE
Bringing the timeless beauty of Brazilian choro music to Sydney
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WHO WE ARE
Choro Collective is a collaboration of musicians promoting Brazilian choro music in Sydney. Our members have been playing choro in Australia since the 1990s and come from diverse musical backgrounds including traditional choro, samba, bossa nova, jazz, classical, and popular music. Choro Collective’s mission is to share choro’s rich musical traditions with the Australian public and we welcome new musicians interested in learning choro. If you’re a bar or restaurant owner looking for vibrant music, we encourage you to contact us for a no-obligation chat.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Our musicians are very active in the Sydney music scene with live shows, rodas, and special events, and are consistently involved in multiple creative projects across a variety of genres.
We’d love to see you at one of our many events. If you’re a diehard music fan and looking for something interesting and completely different, Brazilian choro is guaranteed to please. But be forewarned, you will want to dance and may be permanently stuck with a smile on your face!
Upcoming Brazilian Music Events
November 2024
03 November | Choro Collective – Roda de Choro at Bar Milano, Maroubra. From 4 – 7pm. [map]
03 November | Trio Teleboteco– Roda de Choro at Kitanda Bev & Bites, Darlinghurst. 3 – 5:30pm. [map]
09 November | Performing Brazil – Choro / samba performance at MAN on Marrickville. From 7pm. [map]
10 November | Choro Das Minas – Roda de Choro at Kitanda Bev & Bites, Darlinghurst. 4 – 7pm. [map]
14 November | Choro Collective – Roda de Choro at Four Hundred Bar, North Sydney. 6:30 – 9:30pm. [map]
16 November | Steyer Brothers – Violao Brasileiro at Stanmore Festival. From 1 – 2pm.
17 November | Choro Collective – Roda de Choro at The Nocturne Bar, Surry Hills. 4 – 7pm. [map]
24 November | Trio Teleboteco– Roda de Choro at Kitanda Bev & Bites, Darlinghurst. 3 – 5:30pm. [map]
30 November | Ricardo Steyer– Samba, Bossa, MPB at Kitanda Bev & Bites, Darlinghurst. 4:30 – 7pm. [map]
December 2024
01 December | Performing Brazil – Choro / samba at Butchers Brew Bar in Marrickville. From 7pm. [map]
12 December | Choro Das Minas – Roda de Choro at Kitanda Bev & Bites, Darlinghurst. 4 – 7pm. [map]
WHAT IS CHORO?
Brazilian Choro, often referred to simply as “choro,” is a genre of instrumental music that originated in Brazil around 1870. It is characterised by its lively, complex rhythms, virtuosic melodies, and the use of traditional Brazilian instruments. Choro blends European dance forms and classical instrumentation with syncopated African rhythms, creating a unique and intricate musical style.
Check out our list of frequently asked questions below to learn more about this beautiful musical genre.
CHORO FAQs
What instruments are typically used in choro music?
Choro music traditionally features a combination of string and wind instruments. Common instruments include the Brazilian 7-string guitar (steel strings), 6-string classical guitar, cavaquinho (a small four-stringed instrument similar to a ukulele), flute, clarinet, bandolim, and pandeiro (a type of tambourine). The guitar(s) often provide the harmonic foundation and bass lines, while the cavaquinho and wind instruments generally carry the melody.
Who are some of the most influential choro musicians?
Joaquim Callado, often heralded as the “Father of Choro,” played a pivotal role in the development of Brazilian choro music in 1870. He was a gifted flutist and composer who blended European classical music forms with Afro-Brazilian rhythms, creating a unique and vibrant musical style that laid the foundation for choro. His innovative approach to composition and performance set the standard for the genre, characterised by its lively melodies, intricate rhythms, and improvisational flair.
Callado’s contributions were instrumental in popularising choro, and his influence is evident in the works of subsequent choro musicians. Through his compositions and leadership in various musical ensembles, Joaquim Callado not only invented a new genre but also helped shape the cultural landscape of Brazilian music, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire musicians today.
Other notable choro musicians include Chiquinha Gonzaga, a pioneering Brazilian composer, conductor, and pianist, who made significant contributions to the genre in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Ernesto Nazareth was a much beloved Brazilian composer and pianist whose work played a crucial role in the development of choro music. Blending classical music with popular Brazilian rhythms, Nazareth’s compositions, such as “Odeon” and “Brejeiro,” exemplified the intricate melodies and syncopated rhythms characteristic of choro.
Pixinguinha, a saxophonist and flutist who is considered one of the greatest composers of choro, and Jacob do Bandolim, a virtuoso mandolin player known for his technical skill and expressive playing.
How does choro music differ from other Brazilian music genres?
Choro music is distinct from other Brazilian genres like Samba and Bossa Nova in several ways. While samba is often associated with carnival and features a strong, syncopated rhythm suitable for dancing, choro is more intricate and often showcases instrumental virtuosity. Bossa nova, on the other hand, has a more laid-back, smooth sound and often includes vocal performances, whereas choro is primarily instrumental.
What are some essential choro compositions that beginners should listen to?
For those new to choro, listening to classic compositions can provide a good introduction to the genre. Essential pieces include “Carinhoso” by Pixinguinha, “Brejeiro” by Ernesto Nazareth, “Noites Cariocas” by Jacob do Bandolim, and “Odeon” also by Ernesto Nazareth. These pieces highlight the melodic richness and rhythmic complexity that define choro music.
Check out our playlists on Spotify (links at the top of page, footer, and on our contact page) which will give you an idea of the variety of choro across the different generations.
I'm a musician. How can I get involved and learn to play choro?
If you’re a musician with a background in jazz and/or classical, we can provide you with the charts, set lists, and playlists to familiarise yourself with the music. You can come along to one of our open rodas (jams) to check it out and play the songs you’re comfortable with. Choro is a highly complex genre and becoming proficient can take some time, so it’s important to practice at home and play at the rodas to improve. If you’re a beginner musician, there are intermediate steps you can take to upskill to the reach the entry point for choro. Contact us and we’ll help you get started.
I'm a venue owner or manager. How can I host a choro event?
If you’d like to host a choro event for your establishment, contact us by phone or email. We’ll be more than happy to have a friendly chat to discuss your needs and see how we can best work together.
