QUOTES
“Alma Tropicália, an all-star group of musicians. ”Editors' Picks - The Washington Post“
My absolute favorite local group focusing on the music of Brazil!” Tony Regusters, DJ/host - Sounds of Brazil, WPFW, 89.3 FM, Washington, DC
“We’re convinced big things lay on the horizon for the Alma Tropicália crew.” Urban Development DC
“As lead vocalist, Elin, sauntered across the stage, Alma Tropicália’s sunny mixture of samba, dream pop, and progressive rock kept the dance floor steadfast with positive energy.” Dulani Wallace - The Vinyl District
“In hot weather, nothing sounds better than the laid-back rhythms of Caetano Veloso, Os Mutantes and...you can add locals Alma Tropicalia to that list.” Best Bets - Washington Post
BIO
Alma Tropicália is a rock band from Washington DC that reimagines the psych-samba sounds of 60’s tropicália music from Brazil, a mind-bending mix of tropical rhythms, soulful funk grooves and day-glo psychedelia that has quickly earned the group ecstatic reviews and packed performances across the region. The band's daring lineup combines the masterful Brazilian jazz vocalist Elin (featured on Thievery Corporation’s Brazil-inspired album “Saudade”) with the unhinged experimentation of some of the top backing musicians in today’s rock and world music scene (featuring members of Cyro Baptista’s Beat the Donkey, Bio Ritmo, and more). Alma Tropicália has performed at prestigious venues such as the Kennedy Center, Strathmore, Howard Theatre, SOB's and Nublu, and has opened for top acts including Brazilian legend Jorge Ben Jor, Freshlyground, and Fitz and the Tantrums.
Alma Tropicália is fronted by Elin (pronounced ee-ah-LEEN), whose solo jazz career has brought her to top jazz venues from New York City (Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Blue Note) to Tokyo. Her stellar performances reflect her mixed Latin & European upbringing and include songs sung in Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Italian, French and English. Now with Alma Tropicália, Elin has joined forces with an all-star backing band that includes guitar virtuoso John Lee (Cyro Baptista’s Beat the Donkey, Hassan Hakmoun), alongside the finest ex-pat Brazilian percussionists in North America, which all adds up to something quite new. Together they delve deep into this mind-altering, hip-shaking, butt-quaking musical movement called tropicália to bring you a mix of originals and Brazilian psychedelic classics, all of it filtered through the group's signature art-rock sound.
PRESS KIT
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NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
May 29, 2010: With Fitz and the Tantrums at the Black Cat, Washington, DC
July 2, 2011: With Freshlyground at the Black Cat, Washington, DC
August 22, 2011: At the Kennedy Center MIllennium Stage, Washington, DC
October 27, 2011: With Bio Ritmo at Iota, Arlington, VA
September 1, 2012: With DJ Greg Caz at Nublu, New York, NY
September 13, 2013: At the Kennedy Center MIllennium Stage, Washington, DC
November 16, 2013: With Jorge Ben Jor at the Howard Theatre, Washington DC
March 1, 2014: With Nation Beat at Artisphere, Arlington, VA
May 17, 2014: With As Lolas and DJ Greg Caz at SOB's, New York, NY
September 18, 2014: At Pérez Art Museum Miami, Florida
