PREVIEW “You know, Brazil is a huge country,” points out Bay Area clarinetist and saxophonist Harvey Wainapel. He should know – Weinapel has been making yearly musical pilgrimages to the world’s fifth largest nation since 2000, and has no plans to stop. The variety of musical traditions across cultures and regions is practically inexhaustible, he says, with perhaps only a single common thread: “they all swing like hell.” Naturally, that irrepressible, infectious rhythmicality will be on display as Wainapel partners with native Brazilian pianist Jovino Santos Neto for a wide-ranging exploration of their favorite musical territory. “Every jazz musician plays a little Jobim now and then,” explains Wainapel, referring to that ever-present “Girl from Ipanema” and her bossa nova companions in the jazz Real Book. But few possess as deep an understanding of Brazil’s disparate musical influences as this duo, who revel in the unique mingling of African, European, and indigenous elements. While Wainapel’s penchant for Braziliana has led him to perform with defining artists like Airto Moreira, FloraPurim, and Guinga, Brazilian-born Neto is literally the professor, having worked with Brazilian jazz legend Hermeto Pascoal for twenty five years and now teaching Brazilian music history. The lecture-demonstration format of this performance promises a lively education from two lifelong students of Brazilian music. “Hopefully,” adds Neto, “people will have a lot of fun.”.
JOVINO SANTOS AND HARVEY WAINAPEL DUO: “BRAZILIAN MUSIC FROM YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND TOMORROW” Fri/11, 7:30 p.m., $10-$15. Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont, Oakl. (510) 228-3218, www.lifemarkgroup.com