Choro De Ouro

Choro de Ouro is the premier Choro group on the Central Coast of California. Choro is a style from Brazil that stated in the later part of the nineteenth century in Rio de Janeiro. It quickly spread throughout Brazil and eventually become a unifying point of pride for the country. Composers like Pixinguinha and Jacob do Bandolim were famous and honored for their contribution to Brazilian culture. Today people are rediscovering this music as it has continued to evolve and grow with a wonderful history and life. It is a passionate music full of virtuosity and excitement as well as expression and the quality of something quaintly beautiful. When Grant Chase started the Choro de Ouro (which means Weeping Gold or Tears of Gold in Portuguese) he had no idea how far it would go or the life and energy that the project would take on. Being introduced to this music was a life-changing event for Grant and he quickly became very devoted to music and started gathering musicians to play this music together. For years the project lived under the title Chorinho, which is what one might call a musician who plays choro. When flautist Lara Kiani had to leave the band, Ron McCarley who had been coaching them at Cuesta College replaced her and the band took on the name Choro de Ouro. Later percussionist Graham Yates was also added to the group. When the band finally felt that they were ready to do a first rate recording project they realized that they had enough material for two CDs! So they decided to take the best of the best and present something very special. Now years from the beginning of the project they are proud to present their first recording of this beautiful music of Brazil and how they have made it their own. Joining them on this recording is the internationally known Brazilian singer Tka Penteriche and guitarist Paul Rigby.