Hendrik Meurkens and his harmonica and
vibraphone are back in Poema Brasileiro. Besides Meurkens himself the disc features, among others,
Ivan Lins, Romero Lubambo and Claudio Roditi
performing compositions by Tom Jobim, Lins and Meurkens. “My previous
albums,” said the sambajazz wizard, who has been in America for four years, “were somewhat more jazzy. With
Poema Brasileiro I was interested in putting out a really beautiful Brazilian album with lots of variety.” Even well-known Jobim
standards like “Felicidade” and “Samba de uma Nota Só” get a new life in this Concord Picante release.
Brazil-USA. The ’96 version of the beauty pageant is already in full swing in several states that choose the finalists for
the national competition to be held November 16 in Miami. The event has a new coordinator,
Jordan Leite, an experienced promoter from Rio and new
attractions such as the typical costume contest. The promotion is open
to 15-year-old or older Brazilian girls or daughters of Brazilians. In
past years, Brazilian celebrities like Luíza Brunet, Danuza
Leão, Luciano do Valle, Jota Silvestre
and miss Universe ’68 Martha
Vasconcelos, have been part of the pageant’s jury.
For more information contact (305) 374-9041.
Councilman from Brazil
Brazilians have one of their own as city councilman in Bellville, a 40,000-resident town just 30 minutes by car from
New York city. Arnaldo Carrera, 41, a
Paulista (from São Paulo), was elected as a Republican and naturally he insists
that “the state should let the Economy work without interfering”. Despite becoming a full-time politician, Carrera
will continue a prosperous career in a private company. The new councilman, who is an economist, will be adding to
his $100,000-a-year salary a $300 monthly check for his new job.