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After sailing into Bahia de Guanabara nearly two months ago, Iâ??ve spent a large chunk of time exploring Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. One thing is for sure, this is not nearly enough time to understand the creative diversity this city harbors. Art is synonymous with Rio and everywhere one goes in this city itâ??s clear the creative energy is what makes this truly the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City).

Observing art and how it affects the Carioca (a resident of Rio) is not a difficult task. Walking down the street one will find city workers cleaning streets with a hand-held radio strapped to their garbage cans.  A ride on a bus along the street Jardim Botanico (Botanical Garden) will take one past thousands of feet of graffiti decorated walls; evidence of the strong Brazilian hip-hop scene.  While on a walking tour of Centro (downtown district) one will have to negotiate a maze of vendors selling pirated copies of popular music; evidence of music being the second favorite past time (behind futebol, of course).  Attending a futebol (soccer) game at Maracanã stadium is a spiritual experience in its own right, but the spontaneous and synchronized songs and chants of 100,000 crazed fans will elevate a person to self-actualization.

Any visit to Rio is not complete without a Friday or Saturday in Lapa, an influential bohemian neighborhood in the 50â??s and 60â??s, it is now a district of mostly bars and clubs. Revelers imbibe in abundant R$1.00 (about USD$.60) cerveja (beer) while dancing up and down the streets in search for the soul of the samba song. Old mansions, typical of row houses in New York or San Francisco, provide cheap drinks and excellent samba beats while listeners, drinkers, and music notes spill into the streets.

While in Lapa, one cannot help but make the observation of an abundance of young people. Naturally young people are attracted to music, drinking, and a social scene, however, why samba? Sambaâ??similar in its traditions, developments, history, and foundations (and to some extent style and sound) to American Jazz, country western, blues, and folkâ??surely cannot attract hoards of young people the way dance-pop, dance, house, electronica, hip-hop, and trance attract young people in the USA. Lapa and samba is the equivalent of a Chelsea full of folk. It just doesnâ??t work.

Well, it works in Rio. Young Cariocas have embraced their culture and tradition to make for one of the most dynamic and exciting music scenes in the world. If youâ??re in Rio, Lapa is a must even if youâ??re not here for the weekend party. Go if you can, but be prepared to dance. And, although samba is the predominant genre, forró, MPB, hip-hop, rock, dance, electronica, and top-40 can all be found. (Linguistic note: in Brazilian Portuguese words leading with â??râ?? are pronounced as an English â??h.â?? So, rock is hawk, Rio is Hio, real, the currency, is hee-ow, and yup, you got it right, Rumblefish is Humblefish.)

I feel extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to show my support for the music genre Brazilians and young Cariocas love so much. In a world where western ideas and culture are often forced upon other nations, Brazil has kept true to its roots (hoots) and embraced its own traditional culture. Brazil, you rule. Or rather, you hule.

Brazilian music gathers cues over hundreds of years from cultures across the globe and the Brazilian music scene is one of the most diverse and developed in the world today. Brazilian music derives its sound from American jazz, English rock, African tribal beats, Spanish bolero, Italian blues, Mexican folk, Trinidad & Tobagoâ??s Calypso, and to a lesser extent, the indigenous peoples of South America.

Brazilian musical styles and genres include bossa nova, samba, MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira), forró, chorro, axé, tropicalismo, and many more.

The late 1920â??s produced Carmen Miranda, the first Brazilian to reach international fame on the music and movie scene. Famous for her hilariously flamboyant outfits and fruit-filled hats, sheâ??s widely credited with defining samba and setting the foundation for future generations of samba lovers:

In the late 1950â??s after recording a few of Antonio Carlos Jobimâ??s songs, João Gilberto and Tom Jobim become the founders of the international sensation called bossa nova (literally, new way). Tom Jobimâ??s international song successes include â??Desafinado,â? â??Águas de Março (Waters of March),â? and of course â??Garota de Ipanema (Girl of Ipanema),â? which Frank Sinatra made famous in the USA:

One cannot discuss foundations of bossa nova without mentioning Baden Powell. Powellâ??s success came from a new sound of guitar that blended classical maestro techniques with modern pop beats:

Heitor Villa-Lobos is the most famous classical composer from Brazil. With his nationalistic ideals and fiercely Brazilian characteristics, Villa-Lobos produced some of the worldâ??s finest musical pieces using the love of country as inspiration. Here is David Russell interpreting Choro No. 1:

The Rumblefish Music Licensing Store provides many good examples of Brazilian musical styles. I’ve compiled my favorites below.

Samba has evolved over the years to include many different styles and sticking to its origins would limit this beautiful genre. This playlist provides a good example of how artists have used the genreâ??s fundamentals to create a truly unique and modern sound.

Virtually anything by artist Valdo Silva provides a good understanding of modern samba sounds. His song â??Blues de Adeusâ? shows hints of bossa nova.

Artist Riovolt has developed an interesting sound by taking the best from Brazilian music. Elements of bossa nova, samba, forró, choro, Afro-Brazilian, and MPB can be heard in their unique style.

â??Miao Brazilâ? by The Shiffers has an electro samba feel with Jackson 5 flair. Their song â??Asa Nisi Masaâ? mixes tropicalismo with modern samba and utilizes instruments and lyrical style typically found in bossa nova.

A playlist containing bossa nova style tracks. Some songs have their own electronic twist or are a fusion of other genres and styles, but the basic elements of bossa nova are there: a pretty woman in a slinky red dress laying on top of a black baby grand piano and with smooth jazzy beats in the background of a dark, smoky, and hip urban lounge.

Although from Portland, Oregon, March Fourth Marching Band would not disappoint the 100,000+ people who fill the Sambadromo every year for Carnival.

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