Interesting how a conversation about the
many ingredients of a mole recipe can lead
to a heart-felt discussion about the layers of
complexity of Brazilian music. Singer, songwriter
and pianist, Ren Stewart has developed
a new approach to Bossa Nova. While
composing new songs written in Portuguese,
she pays tribute to beloved Brazilian composers,
but stays true to the rhythmic blends of
jazz and pop sensibilities.
When asked about this mélange of worldly
musical disciplines, Ren explains a longtime
interest in MPB. “When I was a teenager, I
heard Jobim’s album ‘The Composer of Desafinado,
Plays’, and something awoke in me. I was
raised by a Mexican-American mother, so Latin
music will always be in my heart, but hearing
this somewhat familiar music sung in Portuguese
intrigued me.” Years later, through the
exploration of more Brazilian music, Ren has
found inspiration from the varied styles of Seu
Jorge, Lenine, Caetano Veloso, Astrud Gilberto,
Bebel Gilberto and Charlie Brown Jr.
As a great mole recipe earns merit through patience,
timing and collaboration so has Ren’s
music. Executive producers of the NBC hit series
“Life” stumbled upon her work and quickly
added her song “Face the Day” to their sound-track. The song typifies this synchronization
of layered rhythms. “I don’t think Americans
will equate my music as being Brazilian, even
though I borrow much from their musical history.
I didn’t want to create music that resembled
a novelty, like a T-shirt from the airport
that reads ‘Brazil’. The idea is to create music
in a way that respects the spirit of Brazilian music
while infusing my Californian perspective.”
This philosophy seems to celebrate that of the
famous writer, Carlos Fuentes, when he stated,
“There is no creation without tradition.”
To achieve the perfect blend of high personal
standards with this eclectic perspective, Ren
has immersed herself with the Brazilian culture
here in the US, which resulted in the composition
“Como Eu Vou Voltar”. This song typifies
the idea of “saudade”, describing the intensity
of feelings the night before a first trip to Brazil.
Needing to authenticate her emotions with
sound, Ren surrounds herself with Brazilian
and American artists who have studied the vast
history of music in Brazil. Brazilian drummer
Rodrigo Spada Bernardo and guitarist Sina, cofounder
of Barraca da Bossa, share an innate
ability to know what Ren is thinking musically.
Originally from Iran, Sina traveled throughout
South America to equip himself with a working
understanding of Portuguese, and expose himself
to the music of the
Bossa Nova era legends.
With his repertoire and
beautiful blend of guitar
techniques, Sina contributes
a worldly perspective
to Ren’s music,
resulting in an appeal to
both the novice and seasoned
ear.
Rodrigo joined Ren
last spring and quickly
helped develop the rhythm of the songs, which
required his expertise as a drummer in popular
Brazilian bands. Through travels between
California and Sao Paulo and the use of the Internet,
Ren and Rodrigo have found a way to
soften the recording budget. Specifically, they
have created a system of sending music files
cross-country using iDisk, where Rodrigo can
virtually work beside Ren to record the percussions.
The use of web cams allow the duo to talk
as if they were in the same studio, thus concocting
a transcontinental collaboration… one that
is required to be não desafinado… completely in
tune with each other.
As with any dish made slowly over time with
careful attention to the blending of various
ingredients, Ren Stewart’s Bossa Americana
is worthy of a complete five sense experience,
leaving each note to taste… just like that of a
great meal.
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