MUSIC
Blending Their Ukulele Compositional Ingenuity and Creative Vision, the Duo of João Tostes & Vinícius Vivas Gives Us a Symphony of Strings and Soul With Their Latest Project, “Ukulele Harmonies Live In Niterói”
It is fascinating how “Ukulele Harmonies Live in Niterói” has a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes, and it feels like half the time has elapsed by the time this unforgettable experience is over. Its immersive and engrossing quality gives it a unique temporal quality as the nature of the blissful music collapses time itself. One thing I can guarantee you is that you will emerge from the experience equally startled and fascinated that an hour has felt like mere minutes. This is the kind of project that demands your full attention, rewarding you with an indescribable sense of peace and fulfillment. Ultimately, this is what happens when two of Brazil’s most revered, technically brilliant, and virtuosic ukulele music composers and performers join hands…in this case, João Tostes and Vinícius Vivas, who have been performing as a duo since 2023 when they decided to blend their artistic vision and take both their crafts to newer heights.
And so the story goes; under the gilded archways of the Municipal Theatre, a spellbinding evening unfolded as the incomparable duo João Tostes and Vinícius Vivas delivered a live performance. One that is so luminous, so richly textured, and one that now feels more than just the music—it is an immersion into the human spirit. This 18-track project is nothing short of a lifetime achievement, a masterclass that transcends genre and geography.
From the very first strum of the ukulele, you are drawn into an auditory landscape of unimagined beauty. Here, your eyes are opened to the magic that is the ukulele instrument as their deft fingerprints transform it, evoking tones that shift between tender whispers, alluring baritones, and commanding, bass-like reverberations.
João Tostes’ innate competency to conjure deep emotion with his deliberate notes blends favorably with Vinícius Vivas’ exploratory edge as he infuses the performances with bursts of rhythm and melodic surprises that push the instrument to its expressive limits, making “Ukulele Harmonies Live in Niterói” one stunningly mind-blowing sonic experience.
The presence of Leandro Donato, an internationally acclaimed musician and educator, elevates the project to an even higher plane. His contributions are nothing short of magical, blending seamlessly with the duo’s ukuleles, his exquisite touch an extension of the performance’s soul.
To feel within grasping distance of this magical project, imagine an ethereal opening jam, “Maria Madalena” that features some soft ukulele tones, exuding subtle jazz undertones and a mellowness that is more felt and less heard.
As you imagine it, envision a lively, syncopated masterpiece that is “Xote sem rumo,” carried by such intricate fingerpicking by the duo, and as you do, go further and picture the excellent collaboration with Leandro Donato in “Asa branca,” a piece that soars with melancholy yet hopeful melodies.
Each track on this album carries its unique essence, and that is what makes it a cohesive project overall. The interplay between João and Vinícius is nothing short of telepathic; their harmonies are so intricately woven, it’s as if the ukuleles are speaking a language all their own.
When thinking about “Ukulele Harmonies Live in Niterói,” I want you to imagine a cultural milestone. This project is a bold testament to the ukulele’s potential as an instrument of profound depth and versatility.
With this live performance, both João and Vinícius redefine what a live album can be, blending technical brilliance with raw, heartfelt expression.
“Ukulele Harmonies Live in Niterói” is an opus for ages. All we ask of you is to tune your hearts to this tour de force and let it take you to places you’ve never been before!