ARTIST
BIO

Campos do Jordão
Festival do Inverno
(winter festival)

São Paulo state

guest artist-professor
one-month residency

a photo essay of an unforgettable journey

Three hours drive from the sprawling metropolis of São Paulo, scenic Campos do Jordão is the site of a thirty-year music festival featuring the most reknown Classical and Jazz musicians from Brazil and select guest artists from Europe and the States.

Richard Boukas' experience teaching and performing at the Campos festival was nothing short of life-transforming. His years of dedication to Brazilian music earned him the invitation of the Brazilian cultural ministry to teach Jazz and Brazilian music to young players from all regions of the country. All the musicians were on full scholarship, and ranged in age from 13-35.

Among Richard's colleagues were Brazilian Jazz masters including Roberto Sion (saxophonist & Jazz director) Amilton Godoy (Zimbo Trio), drummer-composer Nenê, guitarist-arranger Theo de Barros, saxophonist Vinícius Dorin (form. with Hermeto Pascoal) and numerous Classical soloists and cutting-edge chamber ensembles.

Conducting the whole residency in Portuguese, Richard commented: "With forty eager and talented players to teach of all different backgrounds, it was clear from the beginning that speaking in their tongue was essential to our work and to my own learning process."

Big hugs for famed drummer-composer Nenê above and below with Zimbo Trio pianist Amilton Godoy. Richard's vivid recollection of their first meeting: "One of the first days in Campos I heard someone down the hall from my teaching room beautifully playing Chopin's B minor Sonata. I chimed in, guitar-in-hand, opened the door, and there was Amilton, beaming with surprise from ear to ear. We hit it off immediately."