Regional de
VILA VERDE
- The Choro Band from the Green Village -
“Although the word Chorinho – little cry - suggest something sad, actually hear this rhythm, which is the first expression of the Brazilian urban music, fills one's soul with a special joy, a deep joy. For a Brazilian who lives in London, to come across an English band who is able to provide this feeling, is a reason for great pride.”
Silvino Ferreira Jr, Canal Londres
The Regional de Vila Verde specialises in 1910s and 20s-style Brazilian Choro music and comprises five young musicians led by British guitarist Emily O'Hara. The group is named after the musicians' adopted home of Greenwich, London.
Since its conception in late 2010, Vila Verde has quickly established itself as a leading exponent hosted the UK's first celebration of International Chorinho Day, drawing London's Brazilian community together for a night of music and dancing. The event was documented by Canal Londres and quickly caught the eye of several world music radio stations in both UK and Brazil. They also recently made their debut performance at the world-famous Vortex Jazz Club to a sell-out audience and will be supporting legendary sambista Elza Soares for her UK tour in October.
In his time away from Vila Verde, American bandolimist Travis Finch can be heard playing mandolin in a duo with world-famous classical-guitarist Craig Ogden. Percussionist Nicholas Ball and guitarist Matthew Redman are both highly accomplished musicians specialising in ragtime and early jazz - the North American counterparts of chorinho - and have both worked as arranger and producer on recordings for Sony and Imperial records. Simon Marsh is the multi-instrumentalist of the group, playing sax, flute and clarinet. He has supported Stevie Wonder, played the RFH and Ronnie Scott's. Seven-string Guitarist Emily O'Hara is also a classical guitarist and composer who has performed in Bolivar Hall, the RAH and the London Palladium. She is also the founder of Choro London.
