Making music in Brazil

T. Hill, Carrollton, Texas — Tue, 29 May 2007 15:04:15 GMT

I'm glad to see the good news story from Brazil considering the murder rate is 150 killed per day and 3 times the average than in Iraq. I'm sure MSNBC is getting around to the good news stories in Iraq like oil is being produced above pre-war levels and there's more electricity nationwide than pre-war levels (note; the average daily amount is lower but more people are getting electricity).

Making music in Brazil

Negao Rodrigues — Tue, 29 May 2007 15:50:32 GMT

I lived in Zumbi for four years, and knew Seu Gomes and his work. An amazing talent in both song and craft, it is a testament to the purity of his drive that despite talent that could have taken him to the top of Brasilian Papularity, he still works and lives in the humble setting from which he's drawn so much inspiration. Americans have a saying that I'll try to use here : "Seu Gomes is 'keeping it real.'"

Making music in Brazil

Carlos Silva, Houston, TX — Tue, 29 May 2007 16:08:11 GMT

I believe it is spelled Bairro for neighborhood, not Barrio.

Making music in Brazil

Bruce, Western Maine — Tue, 29 May 2007 16:12:54 GMT

It WAS Jerry Garcia. He's just hiding out.

Making music in Brazil

Dan, Miami — Tue, 29 May 2007 16:39:11 GMT

Beautiful piece Michelle. Can we expect a photographic essay in the future? As a musician with an affinity for instruments hand made from exotic woods I am inspired to know generations after us are being nurtured in the virtues of patience, respect and craftsmanship.

Making music in Brazil

Jei — Tue, 29 May 2007 17:24:22 GMT

I'm a 34 yr old musician who lived in Brasil for many years, working in the sustainable development sector and playing music of course. This is article made me happy. Brasil is an amazing place and there is much joy in the diverse nature and art of that country. Bless you Michelle for having the courage and wisdom to cover a bright light like Rubens Gomes instead of rehashing the same stories of tragedy from the developing world. I hope your trip there was eventful. I HIGHLY suggest a similar trip (evenif just on personal time) to meet Ras Makandal, a similarly positive and intriguing soul in Sana, Rio de Janeiro State, up in the mountains. The country is full of beautiful people.

Making music in Brazil

Larry Shumaker — Tue, 29 May 2007 17:31:23 GMT

To T. Hill: Respecting your Brazil/Iraq comparision,I think it falls apart quickly when we recall that Iraq was invaded in an inept attempt to install an American style government there. These Brazilians are dealing with "poverty" in a very beautiful way,apparently. Iraqis are left with trying to repair infrastructure damaged by a meddling policy crafted by fools. Congratulations to both cultures for going on with their lives.( p.s. try running most appliances on reduced power --they burn up quickly.)

Making music in Brazil

Magna, Newark, DE — Tue, 29 May 2007 17:33:58 GMT

Your article gave me goose bumps when you mentioned that you could feel the power of the forest. I beleive that it is one of the reasons why "Seu" Gomes still living there...

Making music in Brazil

Shelley Stevens, Bonham, TX — Tue, 29 May 2007 17:46:00 GMT

Yes, I too praise your positive writing, Michelle. Perhaps the world would be a better place if more journalists focused on the more profound accomplishments of man and woman instead of all the "doom and gloom". Thank you for making my day a little more positive and educational.

Making music in Brazil

Bob Wolk — Tue, 29 May 2007 18:02:52 GMT

Jerry and Elvis are in Manaus!!!

Making music in Brazil

Daniel Ocana, Arroyo Grande, CA — Tue, 29 May 2007 18:13:36 GMT

What a great article. Finally someone that can go to Brazil and see the good things of this beuatiful and unique country. There is a lot more to be seen if one wants to see it.

Making music in Brazil

Mary, Chicago, IL. — Tue, 29 May 2007 18:30:57 GMT

www.oela.org.br Oficina Escola de Lutheria da Amazonia

Making music in Brazil

Bobby — Tue, 29 May 2007 18:33:01 GMT

Bairro means literally, quarter( like latin quarter), while Barrio means 'Cask'(Cask & Flagon)-- a favella is a poor neighborhood (or bairro).

Making music in Brazil

Joseph McDonald, Salem, OR — Tue, 29 May 2007 18:35:50 GMT

I would also like to see pictures of Mr. Gomes and his instruments. This is a wonderful story. I wish more stories like this would come out of Brazil and other Latin American countries. All we Americans hear about are the terrible crimes. Stories like this add balance to what we hear. Thank you.

Making music in Brazil

Nancy Mosley, Huntsville, AL — Tue, 29 May 2007 18:39:18 GMT

Thank you, Michelle, for a beautiful story about such a beautiful person. Gomes' existence enriches us all. I may never have the opportunity to meet him in person but my life is better just knowing this wonderful person lives. I, too, would enjoy a photographic essay.

Making music in Brazil

Marcos Carvalho, Boston, MA — Tue, 29 May 2007 18:41:25 GMT

I wish that US travelers would make at least an effort to spell foreign names correctly. Nothing angers a Brazilian more than having his/her language mistaken for Spanish. There's no such place as Barrio Zumbi, there is however a Bairro Zumbi, bairro being the Portuguese word for neighbourhood. Unfortunately English-speakers like this article's writer trot around the globe feeling that everyone should speak their language or at least understand their menu Spanish (which is usually nothing more than 'quiero cerveza por favor'.) This isn't true of all English-speaking globe-trotters, there are many wonderful exceptions, it is true of this insensitive and ignorant writer however.

Making music in Brazil

Mustang, Fort Worth, TX — Tue, 29 May 2007 18:42:33 GMT

150 murders per day? I think you're talking about the wrong country, dude. Go get a Geography book! Glad Michelle mentioned the Portuguese X Spanish, otherwise you would probably assume it was Spanish and that Buenos Aires is the capital. Oh! Should I mention there's no school massacres down there?

Making music in Brazil

Skip Mullins C. Spgs. CO — Tue, 29 May 2007 18:43:49 GMT

I wonder why Ms. Kosinsky has a picture of herself at the top of her article and not one of Seu Gomes?? I, for one , would like to know what HE looks like. Isn't HE the focal point of this piece.

Making music in Brazil

jorge — Tue, 29 May 2007 18:49:02 GMT

Being a musician who plays guitar, bass guitar, double bass, fiddle and dulcimer, I find the art of luthiery quite fascinating. Unfortunately, the down side is depletion of many of the world's tonewood trees. Tonewoods are those used to build instruments and they are disappearing. It's a maddening shame that objects that give so much joy and beauty--musical intruments--are also responsible for their own share of destruction of rainforests and certain types of trees. Already Brazilian rosewood has been virtually banned as a tonewood due to severe depletion. The cost of a Brazilian rosewood instrument is now prohibitive and many musicians don't want them now even if they could afford them because of the message it sends. Even growing more trees isn't going to help the instrument industry because on average it takes about 800-year-old trees to produce the right quality of tonewood. Artificial compounds and synthetic materials are being tested and some show promise but I don't think anything can match a beautiful violin or double bass made of the finest wood. They are as enjoyable to handle and look at as they are to listen to in the hands of a skilled musician. Will there come a time when wooden instruments become rarities due to the scarcity of the proper woods to make them? That's a Soylent Green scenario I hope I never live to see. So enjoy what we have now. Who knows how much longer we'll have it.

Making music in Brazil

Joao Paulo, Sao Paulo BR — Tue, 29 May 2007 19:12:37 GMT

Well done Michelle, such a graceful story. As a brazilian i`m proud to admit that all this beauty you described is true. My country is as vast as particular in any sense and it makes me happy to know that more and more people are coming over to see by themselves that brazil has much more to offer than just carnaval and football.

Making music in Brazil

Keith, Doylestown, PA — Tue, 29 May 2007 19:18:02 GMT

No matter how well you know the song, you know that Mamonas Assassinas already wrote the song.

Making music in Brazil

Frank Thorogood — Tue, 29 May 2007 19:29:25 GMT

It's good to see this positive story in a time when all we read about is our awful blunder in Iraq.

Making music in Brazil

Dave Soukup Madison Wis. — Tue, 29 May 2007 19:57:03 GMT

150 murders per day is way off..although rio de janiero is having quite alot of difficulties lately, Rio being one of the highest murder rates in the world(fact). Go to riobodycount.com, they have been keeping a count this year. Half of the problem is because the police are very corrupt and more or less working with the drug dealers, of course for a price. I was there twice, both times it was pretty violent, mostly gangs fighting over money, drugs, territory ect..Although I found most people to be some of the friendliest that I ever met. I am planning another trip there soon. About the music... I certainly love their music and I highly recomend a group called: the tribulista's

Making music in Brazil

suzy lowinger, new york, ny — Tue, 29 May 2007 20:11:55 GMT

i'm at work on this beautiful day in new york city. im just cruising the internet and come across this beautiful article about my beloved brazil. my son and his family lived in curitiba for 3 years and i had the privlege of visiting them twice, each time for 3 weeks. brazil made an indelible impression on my heart...i thought the people were so special. their average income is startling low. and there in the amazon is this man who teaches others how to live in and inspired way. brazil stays with me and i was very happy to read the article. i too would have enjoyed photos of the visit.

Making music in Brazil

Captain Mikey, Slippery Rock, PA — Tue, 29 May 2007 20:32:19 GMT

I would love to see Acoustic Guitar magazine do a spread on Sr. Gomes. (Or Michelle could free lance for them.) They have wonderful photography and reportage, especially on luthiers who love their work and respect the environment. A highlight of my life was visting Manaus and spending time in the rain forest. As much of a thrill was visiting the Garota de Ipanema in Rio and enjoying a concert. Bossa Nova forever!

Making music in Brazil

Fatima, Enterprise, Alabama — Tue, 29 May 2007 20:33:03 GMT

Golly, I am very surprised and happy to read this article about Mr. Gomes. Someone wrote: nothing upsets a Brazilian more than be compared to Spanish as being the same. Yes, you are right, we Brazilians are very proud of our languange and culture. I believe it is stupid to weight in which is best place but I will tell you this: You will not find a more hospitable and kind people towards foreigners than in Brazil. I know because I am a BRAZILIAN who lived in Germany and now in the USA. Brazilians respect differences and look for the best in the human race. I speak in general because there are always bad apples in every orchard.

Making music in Brazil

Thomas Smith, Mission Viejo, CA — Tue, 29 May 2007 20:49:16 GMT

Mustang and Dave, YOU need the reality lesson. Having lived in Brazil for over 2 years, and traveled throughout the country, 150 murders per day is close to an accurate representation. Rio de Janeiro is one of the most crime infested cities in the world, as is Sao Paulo. In fact, most major cities in Brazil have crime rates well in excess of the global norm. The police have something to do with it, but most of the crime is caused by the large amount of people with nothing, and have no hopes of getting anything. Desperate people do desperate things. How many countries do you know of that allow cars to run red lights at night because it is safer than stopping and getting robbed and/or murdered for 20 bucks. Yes, Brazil is beautiful country, and they have many beautiful people, but you can not overlook the danger of walking the streets there.

Making music in Brazil

curtis,billings,mt — Tue, 29 May 2007 22:44:57 GMT

I lived in manaus for a couple of years also, although I never had the priviledge to meet sr. gomes, I can imagine how beautiful his work must be given what he has as inspiration. The people there truly know how what joy is, it doesn't come from riches like much of america thinks. (mamonas assasinas may be part of that reason)

Making music in Brazil

John Smith , Miami, FL. — Tue, 29 May 2007 23:29:01 GMT

T. hill came up with this number just to make herself fell better about the war in iraq, its funny how peoplo hear things from neighboors or friends and start passing around the wrong or misunderstood information.

Making music in Brazil

Adriana, Atlanta, GA — Wed, 30 May 2007 01:00:19 GMT

Beautiful article about music and brazilian culture! Brazil is a country full of wise, inteligent, caring and fun people. Lucky (or blessed) the ONES that will ever have the chance to feel what being there is really like. Parabens Michelle.

Making music in Brazil

Beth Fernandez, Bisbee, AZ — Wed, 30 May 2007 01:24:59 GMT

What a fabulous story...my imagination is saturatd with the artist, his community , and his art; I hope to see the photos some time soon.

Making music in Brazil

Rafael - Rio de Janeiro - Brazil — Wed, 30 May 2007 01:46:21 GMT

This is a great example of great self effort to make life worths! If at least one person could do something good for other people, we would need to worry for crazy rulers!

Making music in Brazil

Rosa — Wed, 30 May 2007 02:02:56 GMT

What a pleasant story Michelle ! In a time where beauty, art and humbleness is all but forgotten by the caos in Iraq and its rippling effect at home, it's quite refreshing and most educational to read about one man's simple life and his love for art and nature, and of country most only knows what the media shows. The truth is, Brazil is far more than just soccer, carnaval and relentless crimes.It's very sad that many of us cling to negativeness and fail to appreciate the unsurpassed beauty of our planet. As many others have mentioned, it would have been great to have some pictures.

Making music in Brazil

Marcos Carvalho, Boston, MA — Wed, 30 May 2007 15:08:10 GMT

If there were 150 murders/day in Rio, that would mean that there were 54,750 murders/year in the city. This is absurd considering that there are 26,000 murders/year in all of Brazil. At the height of violence in Rio, when it was murder capital of the world in the early 90's, there were 2,400 murders/year, which means that on the average back then there were 6.5 murders/day. The city is even safer now, go ahead and visit.

Making music in Brazil

T. Hill, Carrollton, Texas — Wed, 30 May 2007 15:56:23 GMT

Hey people who doubt there are 150 murders per day in Brazil, learn to read! and I didn't say just Rio, DA. http://www.boston.com/news/world/latinamerica/articles/2006/09/25/brazil_murder_rate_similar_to_war_zone_data_shows/

Making music in Brazil

T. Hill, Carrollton, Texas — Wed, 30 May 2007 16:08:45 GMT

"September 25, 2006 BRASILIA, Brazil (Reuters) - More than 150 Brazilians were murdered each day last year on average, putting Brazil on a par with some war zones in terms of its homicide rate, the Justice Ministry said on Monday. Some 55,000 Brazilians died of homicide in 2005 -- a few thousand more civilians than in three years of war in Iraq, according to leading estimates." Just in case links aren't allowed! J. Smith, I don't just make up numbers and I read from the same liberal publications as you.

Making music in Brazil

Paul Morgan, Atlanta, GA — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 12:59:27 GMT

Thanks for posting the article on murders in Brazil. Did you notice that in the article, Marcelo Durante, Coordinator for the Justice Ministry, said that "It was the states that collected the most guns that saw crime rates fall most." Even in Brazil with all its other problems removing guns from the streets reduces murders, too bad the referendum in 2005 to ban gun sales failed. Countries worlwide that ban or severely restrict handgun ownership seem to have lower murder rates than the US. The recent tragedy at Virginia Tech proves to me a lifetime NRA member that we need a better system of laws and pre-purchase background checks in the US for gun purchases.

Making music in Brazil

CB Ballard, SLC UT — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 16:04:57 GMT

My daughter just returned from visiting Brazil and can't stop talking about the beauty of the country and people. EXCELLENT STORY!

Making music in Brazil

Rafael Figueira, Portland Oregon — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 20:11:57 GMT

T. Hill, the article you quote compares one year in Brasil (2005) with three years in Iraq. But Brazil's population (185mi) is seven times larger than Iraq's population (26.5mi). That makes Iraq's rate more than twice higher (shouldnt surprise anyone). Yet somehow you twisted the numbers and ended up with: "the murder rate is 150 killed per day and 3 times the average than in Iraq". With spins like this, soon a Fox News recruiter will call you with a job offer...

Making music in Brazil

Dr.Diamba, Amsterdam, Holland — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 23:04:32 GMT

another 50,000 brazilians die every year on CAR ACCIDENTS!!! mostly by speeding drunk bastards!!!

_\|/_ viva diamba!!!

Making music in Brazil

Anonymous — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 20:47:33 GMT

It is right on that locating reliable research on this subject can be time consuming.