 Artwork by Brendon Heinst "Trova Caminhada" is already available for download and pre-order here.
The album comprises 14 of my original songs, written between 1999 and 2016. The recording took place in July 2017, and the release is by Dutch label TRPTK. The line-up is: Rafael Fraga (vocals, guitars), Aki Spadaro (piano, keyboard), Efraim Schulz-Wackerbarth (drums, percussion) and Marko Bonarius (double bass). The guests strings were Aili Deiwiks (violin) and Maya Fridman (cello). Brendon Heinst was the engineer, assisted by Luuk Meijssen.  Fado at DeHallen - free mini-concerts
The nostalgia and beauty of Portuguese Fado will makes it appearance at DeHallen, in an innovative format: mini-concerts with free entrance. The Beeldend Gesproken art gallery will be the stage of this unique matinee, hosted by Portuguese guitarist Rafael Fraga and having the special participation of Emanuel Pessanha, lead singer of the acclaimed band “Quatro Ventos”. Each concert will take about 30 minutes, being followed by a short break, after which the same program is repeated for a different public. The entrance is free and the audience is invited to donate according to its enjoyment of the show. Combined with dinner or a movie at DeHallen, the mini Fado concerts will be the perfect complement to a great evening, inviting the audience to an unexpected journey into the soul of Lisbon - at the very heart of Amsterdam! Location: Beeldend Gesproken art gallery, DeHallen Schedule: December 10, from 17h to 20h Price: Free, donations welcome
 "Vilas Morenas" is part of my childhood's soundtrack, since with would be repeatedly heard on the local TV. I believe the title (that could be roughly translated as "Tanned villages") evokes José Afonso's freedom hymn "Grândola, vila morena", referring to Grândola, a small village in Alentejo, Portugal. For technical and timbric reasons I changed the key to D (original: F#), so Eva tuned the low E-string in D, providing extra bass register; the accompaniment is a build-up of open strings and harmonics, which create a dense, mysterious texture. This piece has a north-African flavour and perfectly recalls Portugal's mediterranean roots. Its tense, catchy melody and the pedal-ostinato notes fitted the Portuguese guitar, providing plenty space for improvisation. Besides all this, what I love about this piece is that the in the improvisation section the build-up requires intimate communication, and the result is, of course, always different. I also tried to incorporate some ideas from António's improvisations. Besides the musical aspects, there's a more personal connection with this tune: with was originally written by António Pinho Vargas, someone I greatly admire, and who played an essential role in my early career. While studying jazz in Lisbon, I was looking for advice on what steps to follow, since I wanted to pursue other interests in music, namely composition, orchestration, etc. In Portugal, at that time (2001), there were not many academic options in those fields in those fields (not even today). António was kind enough to meet me and to share some of his (always) insightful thoughts on the subject - namely that "contemporary classical music" was NOT my world, but that were many things to learn on the side. Later on, he would be my teacher, and inspiring and refreshing presence in my academic years. And he was right: definitely, contemporary music per se is NOT my world... Vilas Morenas, as played in "The Mysteries of the Portuguese Guitar": Vilas Morenas, as played live by António Pinha Vargas' in 1987:  Rafael will be participating in this year's edition of the Akkordeonale, a festival that takes place yearly in Germany. Renowned accordionists join musicians from different cultures for a unique set of concerts, and Rafael will be representing the portuguese guitar, in a tour of more than 25 concerts:
More info at: http://www.akkordeonale.de Akkordeonale 2014 (date, city, venue) April 23 Karlsruhe Tollhaus 24 Reutlingen franz k 25 Jena Volkshaus 26 Greven Kulturzentrum GBS 27 Mülheim Stadthalle 28 Bonn Harmonie 29 Kassel Adventskirche 30 Stuhr Gutsscheune Varrel MAY 01 Dresden Dreikönigskirche 02 Berlin Passionskirche 03 Koblenz Festung 04 Pforzheim Kulturhaus Osterfeld 05 A-Salzburg Odeion 07 Leipzig Gewandhaus 08 Traunreut k1 Kulturzentrum tbc 09 A-Bregenz Seelax Festival 10 Lörrach Burghof 11 Gersthofen Stadthalle Gersthofen 13 Hamburg Kulturkirche Altona 14 Neustadt Schloss Landestrost 16 Kerpen Erfthalle Kerpen-Türnich 17 Dreieich Bürgerhaus Sprendlingen 18 Trier Tuchfabrik 20 Landau Altes Kaufhaus 21 Mainz SWR live” im SWR Foyer 22 Altenkirchen Stadthalle 23 Laupheim Schloss Großlaupheim 24 Zug Chollerhalle 25 Offenburg Reithalle  Rafael plays for Vesta
Stichting Vesta is dedicated to helping refugee women and their families. Rafael will be collaborating in a fund-raising event, playing with violinist Aili Deiwiks. The repertoire will consist of portuguese music and some of his own tunes. Café Kabberdoes DeSint Josephstraat 6 5211 NJ 's-Hertogenbosch March 8, 18h  "Quero um cavalo de várias cores" (I want a horse of various colours)is an amazing poem by the late Reinaldo Edgar Ferreira (1922-1959). From this inspiring text my dear friend Bruno Walter Ferreira composed the beautiful song "Cavalo de Várias cores", which I had the pleasure to arrange for the album "25 Anos de Música Original nos Açores" , edited in 2010. The text had also been used by Pedro Jordão and sung by João Maria Tudella, and edited in a (forbidden) 1969 LP "Tudella Canta Música de Pedro Jordão", and also by Filipa Pais in "Que o mundo é meu", in her 2004 album "À porta do mundo" (thank you to my friend Luís Fernandes for this tip). Reinaldo Edgar's father was also named Reinaldo Ferreira, journalist and writer, known for his "Reporter X" alter ego. Reinaldo's most acclaimed poems are perhaps "Uma casa portuguesa" (A portuguese house), immortalised by Amália in the song by Vasco Sequeira e Artur Fonseca, and "Menina dos Olhos tristes" (Girl of sad eyes), by José Afonso. Spending most of his life in Moçambique, Reinaldo died of lung cancer aged 37, without having published any book. Bellow, settings of "Quero um cavalo de várias cores", along with my free translation of the text. Fifty-five years after his death, the memory of a great poet: Reinaldo Edgar Ferreira.
 MusicVibes (a)live! | Be musical, get social!
November 6th | 19h45 Veemkade 574, Amsterdam Free entrance MusicVibes is a new platform that creates opportunities for music makers of different levels and backgrounds to improve their music skills in a social atmosphere, guided by professionals. The workshops, lessons and music activities provide opportunities for contact with like-minded musicians and to work closely with professionals, in a relaxed, non-judgemental atmosphere. All activities include a broad socialisation program. MusicVibes is a joint venture of Rafael Fraga and Edwin Hoogervorst. Official presentation event will include concerts and many guests. MusicVibes current activities include: Free Guitar Lessons: an informal weekly guitar lesson. For free! MusicVibes collective: weekly group practise session, with try-outs and concerts. MusicVibes Weekends: 3-day workshops and lessons in wonderful locations. More info: www.music-vibes.nl |
