Finn-Am Jams bring famed Brazilian drummer to Naselle Schools

, 2008 Finn-Am Jams bring famed Brazilian drummer to Naselle Schools

Brazilian drummer and vocalist, Eduardo Mendonca of the Seattle group "Show Brazil" will come to Naselle schools on May 23 as the last of the Finn-Am Jam series this year.

Mendonca will perform at the Naselle Youth Camp [not open to the public] and then for the Naselle Schools in two different assemblies, which are open to the public. The first will be held from 12:30-1:15 p.m. for elementary students. The second will be held from 1:30-2:15 p.m. for junior high and high school students. Both concerts will be held in the school gym.

Mendonca grew up in Brazil, but has performed internationally from an early age. He has taught in schools and workshops and was principal of a Brazilian High School. After much traveling, he found a compatible group of musicians in the Northwest and now calls Seattle his home. He has won many awards for his musicianship and for being an "Ambassador for Brazilian culture.”

In April Mendonca performed before the Dalai Lama of Tibet during his visit to Seattle and For the Children’s Day at Key Arena in Seattle, directing 200 drummers—Native American, Japanese, and Brazilians—for 15,000 children. “ It was an incredible experience,” Mendonca says.

He typically opens his performance with the percussion rhythms of Ijexá, Afro-Brazilian rhythms brought to Brazil by African slaves in the 16th Century. The music then moves into traditional and contemporary music with the audience participating in many ways. Mendonca will play guitar and Brazilian percussion and be accompanied by percussionist Caxambu.

This Finn-Am Jam features the basics of art in word, rhythm, dance, and song. The Finns have a particular affinity for the music and dance of South America, particularly the Tango. Mendonca’s performance illustrates many instruments and ways of making and responding to rhythm, music, and dance. This performance is sponsored in part with a grant from the Washington State Arts Commission and the Finnish-American Folk Festival of Naselle which will hold its next festival on July 25-27.