Tula and the Amazons Quartet

Additional Details

This special performance was born on May 5. That is the date UNESCO declared Portuguese Language Day, which is commemorated every year through various cultural events throughout the “Lusophone world”—that is, the Portuguese-speaking world, numbering approximately 250 million people.

On May 5 last year, we were asked by the embassies of Portugal, Brazil, Cape Verde, and Angola—Portuguese-speaking countries—to present a private performance of beloved traditional songs from these countries for the diplomatic corps.

The performance was presented by the wonderful singer Tula Ben Ari and the Amazons ensemble, made up of some of Israel’s finest musicians, who usually perform at Shablul in a tribute to Jobim’s bossa nova. The audience, familiar with the music from home, was mesmerized—and toward the end of the show, all the suit-and-tie wearers were already on their feet, dancing.

It was so much fun that we decided to bring the celebration to the general public as well. Since then, it has returned to the Shablul stage and once again received an enthusiastic welcome—and now it is coming back one more time.

The performance will feature a special combination of South America, Africa, and Europe—a diverse mosaic of sounds and rhythms: samba, choro, and bossa from Brazil; fado from Portugal; kizomba from Angola; and morna from Cape Verde, familiar to many thanks to Cesária Évora.

Tula Ben Ari, a captivating international singer, moves freely between different musical styles and creates a personal sound that is exotic, sensitive and explosive, mature and passionate.

The ensemble’s guitarist, Marcelo Nami from Brazil, whose mother tongue is Portuguese, will join Tula in singing some of the songs.

A celebration!

• Matan Klein — flute
• Marcelo Nami (Brazil) — guitar
• Gilad Abro — bass
• Shai Zalman — drums
• Tula Ben Ari — vocals