Ton's Musical Musings: Hamilton de Holanda

Last night I traveled to Rotterdam to see Hamilton de Holanda and his quintet from Brazil during their brief tour of the Netherlands and Belgium. This was the second time I saw them live; the first time after their spectacular showcase at last year's Womex (World Music Expo) in Seville. They played only new material from their forthcoming album. The tightness of the performance became even more impressive when Hamilton told me afterwards that this was just the third time they had played the new pieces live.

In terms of virtuosity, tight ensemble playing and pure joy in creating music few can match this young band from Rio. Well, young..?. Drummer M