Braz Roberto da Costa (born 1961), known professionally as Braz da Viola, is a Brazilian multi-instrumentalist musician, luthier, conductor and teacher. He runs workshops of viola caipira in several cities in Brazil. He played with several guitar players in Brazil, such as Roberto Corrêa, Paulo Freire, Renato Andrade, Pereira da Viola, Ivan Vilela and dual Zé Mulato and Cassiano. He worked with Inezita Barroso, when the singer appeared accompanied by the Orquestra de Viola Caipira de São José dos Campos.[1]

Braz da Viola
Braz da Viola with a viola caipira
Braz da Viola with a viola caipira
Background information
Birth nameBraz Roberto da Costa
Born1961 (age 62–63)
OriginMinas Gerais, Brazil
Occupation(s)Musician, Teacher, Researcher
InstrumentViola caipira
LabelsIndependent
Websitewww.brazdaviola.com.br

Biography

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He began playing guitar at age 15.[2] He was introduced to the guitar by his uncle, Braz Aparecido, broadcaster and composer, who has recorded works by Tonic and Tinoco, Vieira and Vieirinha and Liu and Léu. He learned to play guitar with Dean Barioni.[3] In 1991, he founded the Orquestra de Viola Caipira de São José dos Campos in order to publicize and popularize the viola caipira and also to organize viola players.[1] He is conductor of that orchestra.[4] In 1999, he developed works for the dissemination and popularization of the viola with the Orchestra Viola de Coité. That same year he founded "Viola Serena" in Itamonte - MG. In August 2006, he was one of Brazil's representatives at the Festival of World Cultures in Dublin, Ireland.[5]

Lutenist

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Viola caipira with fine marquetry work (Braz da Viola)

He learned the craft of building viola caipira from Renato Vieira, factory of violas Xadrez. In 1994, deployed two lutenist of viola workshops in Sao Jose dos Campos and São Francisco Xavier. Currently he is building violas de cocho in his own atelier, a typical instrument of the Brazilian Pantanal.[2]

Discography

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Viola-de-Cocho made by Braz da Viola
  • 1994 - Paraiba vivo, o rio da minha terra - with the Orquesta de Viola Caipira
  • 1995 - Modas e violas do vale - with the Orquesta de Viola Caipira
  • 1996 - Crisálida - with Roberto Corrêa and Orquestra Juvenil
  • 1997 - Clarão do luar
  • 1998 - Violeiros do Brasil - Various artists
  • 1998 - Feito na Roça - with the Orquesta de Viola Caipira
  • 2000 - Festa no Lugar - with the Orquesta de Viola Caipira
  • 2001 - Florescê
  • 2001 - Viola de Coité - with the Orquesta de Viola Caipira from Londrina

References

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  1. ^ a b "Braz da Viola - Artistic Data (Dictionary Cravo Albin)" (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  2. ^ a b Viola, Braz da (July 2003). "Viola Caipira" (in Portuguese) (1). Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais: Editora São Gonçalo: 12–13. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ "Violeiros (Associação Nacional dos Violeiros do Brasil)" (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2010-05-12. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  4. ^ Viola, Braz da (1999). Manual do Violeiro. São Paulo: Ricordi.
  5. ^ "2006 artists highlights". Retrieved 2010-05-06. [dead link]
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