Florquestra Brasil recently played to a full house at Les Brasseurs du Temps on a wintry evening, and brought in just a bit of the South American sun and warmth. Near the end, they inspired several listeners to dance and a lot of toe-tapping, with their combination of unusual instruments, different percussion beats, infectious vocals, and smiling enthusiasm.

The number of Latin- and Brazilian-influenced local groups in Ottawa has jumped in the last few years, with appearances by Florquestra Brasil, Rimbombante, Pulse Mondiale, La Roda da Samba, Rômmel Ribeiro, Duo/Trio Zansa, Sol da Capital, Farinha Biriba (Sambaway), the Evandro Gracelli Group, Shaman Rhythms, Tropicantos, Los Gringos, Flow, Mango Upstart, and many others.

Perhaps Latin music has a double advantage: it reminds us of warmth in the winter, and is a good way to last through our tropical heat in the summer ?

    – Alayne McGregor