Olli Soikkeli & Cesar Garabini

Okki Soikkeli and Cesar Garabini return to Woods Hole on Wednesday, August 27, at 7:30 PM for a concert of guitar duets ranging from django-style jazz to Brazilian chorinho, with a songbook standard or a bebop tune, or maybe even a Beatles number in the mix.

Ticket holders will learn of the concert's location, and other information of equivalent importance, by email about 24h before the show.

Olli was 18 when he first came to Woods Hole with Nicki Parrot, Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo; jaws dropped when he started to play. Then he founded Rhythm Future Quartet (with Jason Anick), moved to Brooklyn and dived into the deep, rich musical paella of New York. His musicianship has become deeper and richer too. I see Olli all over New York City at his own gigs and also in the audience at some of the most interesting musical events. Now he's just back from a month-long Brazil tour, perhaps with some new chops to show us!

Cesar Garabini was born in Brazil and has lived in Italy and the USA. He plays guitar like a Brazilian, he speaks English with an American accent and - as his amazing guitar playing shows - he communicates exquisitely with his hands. He plays a wide variety of traditional and classical styles including samba, choro, Bossa Nova, baiao, forrò, waltze, classical, MPB (musica popular brasileira), Portuguese "Fado" and more. He frequently plays alongside Anat Cohen and visiting Brazilian musical stars. 

I don't know precisely what Olli and Cesar have cooked up, but I know that Brazilian chorinho and Gypsy jazz are a natural pair. Both matured in the early 20th century influenced by urbanization, industrialization, European classical music, African rhythms, popular dance music and the dawn of the recording industry. Both are way, way sophisticated but pay explicit homage to their folk roots. And some songs have crossed over from choro to Django and vice versa.

Stand by for what's certain to be an exploratory and virtuosic musical evening. But don't believe me, watch this! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUrHlD-fcxE