Bitori & Chando Graciosa
Funana - the forbidden music of Cape Verde
After a 20-year hiatus, 78-year-old legendary accordionist Bitori has reunited his band to give the world a new dose of the energetic and rousing rhythms of the forbidden dance music of Cape Verde, the funana.
The Portuguese colonial masters saw funana music as the islanders' dream of freedom. The music was their hope, and through it they found an outlet for their frustrations. Funana was therefore banned until Cape Verde gained its freedom in 1975. Victor Tavares, alias Bitori, was a self-taught accordion player, and with his own style of playing he revolutionized funana music. As late as 1997, Bitori was invited to Rotterdam by Chando Graciosa to record the first funana album. This became a formidable success and a great inspiration for an entire generation of musicians in Cape Verde.
Almost 10 years later, the album is being reissued by Analog Africa. Now Bitori is also joined by two of Cesaria Evora's musicians from 12 years ago, and his first international tour is a fact. Since 2015, Bitori (78), singer Chando Graciosa and the funana rhythms have taken international festival audiences by storm. Now it's Førde his turn!
Chando Graciosa - vocals, ferro (metal scraper) scraper)
Vitor Tavares Gaita - accordion
Miroca Paris - percussion, vocals
Toy Paris - drums, vocals
Danilo Tavares - bass, vocals