YouTube Gumbo

When Holly asked me to put together a collection of YouTube clips for the blog, I tried to think of a clever theme to tie everything together. But in the end, I decided to go with what has worked for Cityfolk for 28 years: throw a bunch of great and diverse music into a pot and stir. So this week and next, you will see a few of my favorite clips as of late:

Oscar Peterson Quartet with Joe Pass
One of the great jazz pianists with one of the great jazz guitarists playing a great tune ("You Look Good to Me"). For me, this is the top of the line.


Joao Gilberto
Joao Gilberto was the father of the Bossa Nova, and a giant of Brazilian music. He exemplifies that elegant restraint that I love in Bossa Nova music. Here he's playing "Desafinado."


Choro from Brazil
Speaking of Brazilian music, Choro is another great musical form that sprang from Brazil. The video is not the greatest quality, but it really captures the atmosphere in which the music is often played. And the guitarist, Douglas Lora, is a good friend of ours, having played at the Festival with Rob Curto's group in 2007, and as half of the Brasil Guitar Duo that was part of this year's World Rhythms series. These guys can really play!