New Goan Band "LATIN CONNECTION"

Bassplayer Colin D'Cruz launched a new band called 'Latin Connection' with a regular Wednesday night performance at Cavala in Baga, Bardez, Goa.

As the name suggests the band is all about connecting with Goa's Latin roots. The band features Zezinho Fernandes on vocals and guitar, Darrell Rodrigues on keyboards, Colin D'Cruz on fretless bass and Lester Godinho on drums and percussion. All virtuosos coming together to keep Goa's live music scene alive and kicking.

The band's repertoire includes popular Spanish, Portuguese, English and ofcourse Konkani tracks laced with some infectious latin rhythms like samba, salsa, merangue, songo and bossanova.

The debut performance on 6th of July enthralled a packed to capacity house with some of the Cavala regulars deciding to switch they're weekend partying to midweek!

"Jazz Goa"

Maestro August Braganza

Maestro August Braganza

GOA HAS LOST ONE OF ITS BEST

Pioneer, musician and singer AUGUST BRAGANZA passed way early on September 7, 2006. A man who's brilliant music rang out loud and clear on a moonlight night, his tongue-in-cheek wit hid many emotions and dreams, but always filled a void in others. His family, friends and well-wishers remember this talented and sometimes idiosyncratic musician as the first to lend a helping hand, even if he was in need himself.
From starting Haystack and producing the best equipment and sound, to his eagerness to give budding stars a chance to excel, Goa has lost one of its best. The memory of his bright-eyed gangly figure perched on a stool with his guitar, while his baritone voice and quick jokes made one forget their worries, will be imprinted forever. Only August Braganza's skeptical yet amusing take on life could be responsible for a restaurant after his own heart, Getafix or even Unhygienics.
Alex Braganza, his younger brother, learnt music under the master entertainer himself. From a band called the Band, sting to Symphony, they were inseparable. "From the early days, we performed at Republic Days, on Carnival floats, the Asian Games, all the major shows in Goa," Alex says. Remo started his career playing at Haystack, a place thought up by August himself. "August was one of the first ones to start many innovative ideas in the state," Remo says. "He was one of the best sound engineers".
"August was a born musician. In my opinion, he was a pioneer, a guy who was part of a musical revolution in Goa. He made me join his band in the 80s," says percussionist Bondo.
The funeral will be held on September 9 at 4 pm at Arpora.

Suruchi Kapoor Gomes & Kurt Gidwani, GT

UCU-Kuwait honours 'Voice of Goa 2008' singer Keith Antao in Kuwait

UCU-Kuwait honours 'Voice of Goa 2008' singer Keith Antao in Kuwait
- by gaspar almeida


The winner of 'Kingfisher Voice of Goa 2008' singer Keith Jack Antao was honoured by United Club of Utorda-Kuwait for his great achievement on 6th March 2009 in Kuwait City. Keith is on a short family visit to Kuwait. On behalf of the Utodd'dekar villagers, Konkani poet and writer, Nakhas Borkar congratulated Keith Antao for achieving this success and making his fellow Utodd'dekars proud and put forth his plans to Keith to organize special music classes in Utorda to promote this very precious talent which God has blessed in abundance. Francisco (Chequinho) Fernandes, UCU President honoured Keith Antao with a plaque on behalf of Utodd'dekars based in Kuwait and UCU executive member Menino Monteiro presented a valuable gift as a token of appreciation on behalf of United Club of Utorda-Kuwait. Apart from the beautiful voice, Keith has been gifted with many other talents - he plays the lead guitar, the organ and the violin and is equally good in sports too. Keith Antao is an active member of the Utorda parish choir. His spontaneous beautiful smile is a bonus point in all his achievements. In his speech Nakhas Borkar reminded the Utorda community and Goans at large that "2008 a very blessed year to all Utod'dekars” for some of the proud moments happened in the history of Utorda in a very significant way on the arts and cultural scenario. On September 8th for the very first time village apex body United Club of Utorda released a book 'Aitaracheo Katkutleo' written by the son of the soil Konkani poet, writer and UCU adviser Lino B. Dourado and on September 20th another Konkani book released 'Iad Tuji' (written by Borkar himself). On 12th October ‘Jivit’, the Konkani monthly magazine conferred the ‘Best Humorous Konkani Writer 2008’ award on the Kuwait-based goa-world.com team member Lino B. Dourado. In the All Goa Mando Festival 2008, ‘Harmonizer’s Choir of Utorda' won the first prize in Senior and Profession level category organized by the Goa Arts and Cultural Social Centre, Bonicio Vitorin Pereira bagged the prestigeous first prize in best Tiatr script writer competition organized by Goa Konkani Academy (GKA) in memory of Pai Tiatrist 'Joao Agostinho Fernandes’ and popular singer Marcus Vaz (ex-Kuwait) was bestowed the prestigious late Jack de Sequeira Award'. It was also a great honour for senior veteran Uttordekar tiatr writer-director Master Vaz who was called to inaugurate the “Tiatr Academy of Goa” in the presence of Goa’s Chief Minister Digamber Kamat, the academy’s nominated president Tomazinho Cardozo in the midst of a galaxy of the members of the Konkani stage. Master Vaz was also honoured by the Government of Goa among scores of other veteran members of the tiatrist fraternity a few weeks ago”. UCU adviser Lino B. Dourado compeered the function while UCU General Secretary Richard Socorro Rodrigues proposed a vote of thanks and gratefully acknowledged the Lord Almighty for blessing Keith Antao with abundant talents and wished him every success in all his future endeavours. The popular annual event “Kingfisher Voice of Goa“ is being organised for the last four years in a row which is a singing competition that recognises and encourages fresh talents in Goa and awards cash prizes and other incentives. The competition draws hundreds of young talented singers which acts as a springboard for instant recognition and is also one of the several major events for the visiting tourists to Goa.
Pictures courtesy: www.goa-world.com & UCU-Kuwait

(This article has been published by Arab Times (Page 29) and Kuwait Times (Page 30) on 8th March 2009 with photographs)