CHR

Choro

Since 1770Where Rio de JaneiroSubgenres 3Artists 16

Brazil's first urban instrumental genre: European polkas and waltzes played with African syncopation on flute, cavaquinho and guitars. Pixinguinha is the central name; 'Carinhoso' and 'Brasileirinho' are known worldwide.

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If you like ragtime, traditional jazz or chamber music, choro is your entry point.

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Subgenres

Modinha and lundu

Since 1770 · 2 artists

The 18th-century parlour song and Afro-Brazilian dance that came before choro and samba; Xisto Bahia and Catulo da Paixão Cearense.

Catulo da Paixão Cearense Xisto Bahia

Maxixe

Since 1875 · 2 artists

The 'excommunicated' dance of late 19th-century Rio, mixing polka and lundu; Chiquinha Gonzaga and Ernesto Nazareth.

Chiquinha Gonzaga Ernesto Nazareth

Choro

Since 1870 · 18 artists

Brazilian heritage · IPHAN 2024

Choro circles still happen in bars and squares; the seven-string guitar plays the bass runs.

Paulinho da Viola Pixinguinha Chiquinha Gonzaga Ernesto Nazareth Jacob do Bandolim Zequinha de Abreu Época de Ouro Waldir Azevedo Altamiro Carrilho Hamilton de Holanda Yamandu Costa Joaquim Callado Nailor Proveta Nó em Pingo d'Água Rabo de Lagartixa Garoto Raphael Rabello Radamés Gnattali

Essential albums 2

1967
Vibrações
Jacob do Bandolim
With Época de Ouro; one of choro's most celebrated records.
2006
Brasilianos
Hamilton de Holanda
The ten-string mandolin between choro and jazz.

Choro

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