Djavan, (pronounced Dee-jah-van), is a Brazilian singer/songwriter fusing sounds from around Brazil and adding his special touch on the guitar. His music can be classified under the ‘MPB’ moniker (Musica Popular Brasileira or ‘Brazilian Popular Music), because it is essentially the kind of music that almost all Brazilians like, and because it involves elements of bossa nova, samba and Bahian rhythms with jazz, pop, funk and R&B.

His songs and his voice have a very distinctive ‘loving’ feel. If you want to impress a certain Brazilian lady, put some Djavan on the radio and watch the romantic vibe flow. His music has roughly the same effect in Brazil as Al Green’s does in North America.

But seriously folks, if you are in NYC next Tuesday, don’t miss Djavan playing at the Best Buy Theater. The show starts at 8pm and would make the most inspiring date possible. From the release: Djavan is touring in support of his album Aria which was released this past August. On the new album, Djavan pays tribute to the artists that influenced him by performing a selection of cover songs rather than his own compositions. His live performance will continue this theme, including songs by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso and more. So not only do you get his songs, but also the very best of all MPB.

His Bio (thanks to Wiki):

Born into a poor family in Maceió (capital of Alagoas, in Northeastern Brazil), Djavan formed the group Luz, Som, Dimensão (LSD – “Light, Sound, Dimension”), playing Beatles’ singles. In 1973, Djavan moved to Rio de Janeiro and started singing in local nightclubs. He recorded music for Globo soap operas. After competing in several festivals, he gained attention and recorded the album A Voz, o Violão e a Arte de Djavan in 1976. The album included the song “Flor de Lis,” which became one of his most memorable hits.

Soon more albums followed and with his first three recordings on EMI, Djavan established himself as one of Brazil’s top musicians with his major hit songs ‘Meu Bem Querer’ and Seduzir. He started to include African influenced music, and additional hits followed, such as “Açaí”, “Sina,” and “Samurai,” which featured Stevie Wonder’s harmonica. His best known compositions are: “Meu Bem Querer,” “Oceano,” “Se…,” “Faltando um Pedaço,” “Esquinas,” and “Serrado”.

Djavan has since entered the Brazilian pantheon of singer songwriters who play guitar and seduce the country with their incredible talent. From the late 1980s through the mid-1990s, Djavan was incredibly prolific, releasing a new album almost every year. Lilas (Lilac) was produced in the US in 1984, and Meu Lado (My Side) marked a return to his Brazilian roots in 1986. His 1987 recording Nao e Azul Mas e Mar was released internationally in 1989 under the name of Bird of Paradise and included three tracks in English. He hit number one on all Brazilian charts in 1989 with Oceano, an album that featured famed Paco de Lucia on the track ‘Curumim.’ In 1999 he recorded a live album ‘Ao Vivo” and sold 1.2 million copies. He won the inaugural Latin Grammy Awards for Best Brazilian Song with ‘Acelerou.’

Djavan, if you have a chance, don’t miss him.

Alex Bordokas