Bourbon Music Festival Returns to Paraty this Weekend

By Beatriz Miranda, Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – This Friday, May 25th, the city of Paraty, in Rio’s Costa Verde (the Southern coast of Rio State), opens the tenth edition of the Bourbon Festival Paraty. Dedicated to jazz, blues, R&B and soul music, the international festival will bring high-profile attractions to the historic centre until Sunday, May 27th.

Ranging from a tribute to legendary American guitarist B.B. King to the performance of Madison McFerrin, the daughter of renowned American musician Bobby McFerrin, the lineup of the tenth Bourbon Festival Paraty will promote the finest from the world’s jazz scene.

Residents from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo are expected to visit Paraty for this event, considered one of the most important from the genre in Brazil.

This year, the free festival celebrates its tenth anniversary with several artists that have already participated in the previous editions, including greats like American saxophonist Gary Brown and American guitarist Stanley Jordan.

Created by the Bourbon Street Music Club, famous jazz house from São Paulo, the Bourbon Festival Paraty plays a fundamental role for tourism in Rio State, having hosted around 30,000 visitors on its last edition.

Over twenty Brazilian and international artists will perform in Paraty’s historical venues throughout the weekend, from 2PM until the late hours. The lineup starts on Friday, May 25th, at 9PM, with Black Rio, a Carioca band that will present their authentic “sambajazz” music. Taking place at the Matriz square, the show will include the special participation of Gary Brown.

The night goes on at Praça da Matriz with guitarists Nuno Mindelis (Angola), Victon Biglione (Argentina), Fred Sun Walk (Brazil) and American sax player Vanessa Collier. Together, the musicians will pay tribute to B.B. King, the “King of Blues”, at 10:30 PM. The repertoire is expected to include classics like “Let The Good Times Roll”, “Trill is Gone” and “Everyday I Have The Blues”.

One of Saturday’s highlights is talented American soul singer Madison McFerrin, who will perform at 9PM, at Praça da Matriz. Daughter of phenomenal musician Bobby McFerrin (author of “Don’t worry, be happy”), Madison McFerrin promises to enchant the audiences along with Brazilian pianist Cesar Camargo Mariano.

Also worth checking out is São Paulo’s band Blackalbino, who will deliver a soul and funk lively presentation at 12AM, also at the Matriz square.

The encounter between the American jazz and the Brazilian Bossa Nova will set the tone of Sunday’s lineup, with Andy Timmons (US) and Sydnei Carvalho (Brazil) gracing the stage of the Santa Rita church, at 6PM. The duo will also host virtuous musician Roberto Menescal, one of the fathers of the Bossa Nova in Rio de Janeiro.

Apart from the lineup at Praça da Matriz and Igreja do Rosário, several other bands and artists will be performing across Paraty historic centre during the weekend.

Brazilian trio Trinca Acústica will present its original repertoire, including Brazilian MPB and British rock music, on Saturday and Sunday, at Largo do Rosário square, in two sessions (4:30 PM and 6PM), while the Orleans Street Band will be spontaneously playing jazz and dixieland on Paraty streets.

What: Bourbon Festival Paraty
When: Friday, May 25th, to Sunday, May 27th – see event to check time details.
Where: Paraty – historic centre
Entrance: FREE