Fabiano Do Nascimento at Lodge Room Los Angeles: 2023
Fabiano Do Nascimento at Lodge Room Los Angeles: 2023
Fabiano Do Nascimento represents contemporary Brazilian music's connection to tradition alongside willingness to explore. The São Paulo-born, Los Angeles-based guitarist plays Brazilian styles (choro, samba, bossa nova) with deep knowledge while incorporating jazz, ambient, and experimental approaches. At Lodge Room, he demonstrated how honoring tradition and exploring new directions can coexist productively.
Brazilian Guitar Traditions
Brazilian guitar has rich lineage from João Gilberto's bossa nova through Baden Powell's afro-samba explorations to contemporary players like Yamandú Costa. Do Nascimento knows this tradition thoroughly, having studied it seriously before relocating to Los Angeles.
His technique shows classical training alongside Brazilian rhythmic feel. The nylon-string guitar's warm tone serves Brazilian music perfectly, and Do Nascimento's touch creates dynamics from whisper-quiet to powerful without losing clarity.
The LA Brazilian Scene
Los Angeles has significant Brazilian music community, both expatriates and Americans who've embraced the tradition. This community supports Brazilian artists while encouraging cross-pollination with jazz, experimental music, and other styles.
Do Nascimento's work with Sam Gendel and other LA-based experimentalists shows this cross-cultural exchange in action. Brazilian music's harmonic sophistication and rhythmic complexity make it natural partner for jazz and experimental approaches.
The Lodge Room Setting
Lodge Room provides intimate space for music requiring attention. Located in LA's Highland Park neighborhood, it programs thoughtful jazz, experimental, and world music. The room's acoustics serve acoustic instruments well, letting audiences hear instrumental details that larger venues might obscure.
For guitarist like Do Nascimento whose music rewards careful listening, this intimacy allows audience to appreciate technique, tone, and compositional subtlety fully.
Compositional Approach
Do Nascimento writes original compositions alongside interpreting Brazilian standards. His originals incorporate traditional Brazilian elements while exploring harmonic and rhythmic possibilities that might not occur in strictly traditional contexts.
The balance between composition and improvisation varies. Some pieces are fully arranged; others provide frameworks for improvisation. This flexibility keeps performances fresh while maintaining structural integrity.
Collaboration and Solo Work
Do Nascimento works both as solo artist and collaborator. His albums range from solo guitar explorations to ensemble projects featuring drums, bass, and other instruments. Each context brings different possibilities.
Solo performance demands that guitar provide everything: melody, harmony, rhythm, and bass lines simultaneously. Do Nascimento's technique and musical intelligence allow him to create full musical worlds from single instrument.
Contemporary Brazilian Music
What does Brazilian music sound like in 21st century when players have access to global musical traditions? Do Nascimento's work suggests it retains essential Brazilian character while absorbing influences from jazz, ambient, and experimental sources.
This isn't dilution; it's evolution. Brazilian music has always incorporated influences from African, European, and indigenous sources. Contemporary players continuing that tradition of openness honor rather than betray it.
The Verdict
Fabiano Do Nascimento at Lodge Room demonstrated Brazilian guitar's possibilities when played by someone who understands tradition deeply while maintaining curiosity about contemporary directions. His performance balanced technical mastery, compositional skill, and improvisational freedom.
If you appreciate Brazilian music's harmonic richness, if guitar played with intelligence and soul appeals to you, if tradition and innovation coexisting interests you, Do Nascimento delivers with authority and grace.
Thank you for showing how musicians can honor cultural traditions while exploring personal artistic vision.