Run by Paulo Dias, who is also a member of the Brazilian early music ensemble Anima, Espaço Cachuera is a cultural center in São Paulo dedicated to the research, preservation, and promotion of Brazilian popular culture. It includes a recording studio and performance space, which played host to a series of showcases featuring a wide variety of Brazilian artists during each night of the recent ISPA Congress in São Paulo. Benjamin Taubkin, a talented musician, composer, producer, and cultural curator, organized the showcases, which were called Tradição e Contemporaneidade ( Tradition and The Contemporary ) and billed as “paths for dialogue between urban and traditional music in Brazil.” A wonderful partner in organizing the Congress, Benjamin was an important member of the Congress Host Committee from the beginning, having long ago recognized the need for professionals in the performing arts in Brazil to gather regularly to interact, share experiences, initiate collaborations, and network.

On Tuesday night, the first artist was Antonio Loureiro. I met Antonio in March of this year here in Austin, while he was performing as a member of Kristoff Silva’s band during South by Southwest. On this evening, he took the stage as a soloist, performing both original compositions as well as some beautiful arrangements on vibraphone of songs by master guitarist/composer Guinga. Playing vibes, piano, and singing, Antonio is part of a new generation of young, talented musicians emerging in Belo Horizonte, a city in the state of Minas Gerais with a rich performing arts history and which is home to such legendary artists as Grupo Galpão, Grupo Corpo, Uakti, and Milton Nascimento, among many others. Antonio is definitely an artist to keep your eye on in the coming years, having rapidly built a buzz among some heavy hitters in the Brazilian music community.

Next up were Ivan Vilela and Paulo Freire, two artists who were part of a beautiful project called Violeiros do Brasil which focuses on the guitar and its leading role in Brazilian music. The project was spearheaded by Benjamin’s sister, Myriam Taubkin, and features masters of the viola caipira. The two artists performed individually, with the latter’s set closing with a gorgeous duet with Benjamin on piano on a piece entitled “Seca” (“Drought”).

Benjamin’s own ensemble, Grupo de Música Abaçaí, closed out the evening. The group performs “compositions, adaptations, and arrangements inspired by regional music from all over Brazil and aims to promote a new perspective on traditional Brazilian culture.” Their performance was outstanding, bringing many audience members to their feet to dance.

Wonderful music in a beautiful, intimate space…belleza!