Memorial Hall to hear Gil's mix of samba, rock music

Memorial Hall will be filled with the sound of samba fused with rock ’n’ roll March 14 for Gilberto Gil’s “The String Concert.”

The concert, which starts at 7:30 p.m., features Gil accompanied by Jaques Morelenbaum on cello and Gil’s son Bem Gil on guitar.

The acoustic performance will display Gil’s unique musical combination of bossa nova, samba and salsa with rock and folk music.

Gil is one of the founders of the Tropicalia movement — a Brazilian arts movement that arose in the 1960s.

Harry Kaplowitz, marketing manager for Carolina Performing Arts, said the movement was both cultural and musical.

Tropicalia began in the late ’60s when Gil and Brazilian musician Caetano Veloso fused elements of music not native to Brazil.

The Tropicalia cultural movement continues today because both founders — Gil and Veloso — are still performing.

“The music he put out in the ’60s is still influential today, and the fact that he is still making new music is equally important,” Kaplowitz said about Gil.

Reed Colver, director of campus and community engagement, said she is excited about Gil coming to UNC.

She said he has been a huge cultural influence in Brazil with his music and activism.

“He has crossed boundaries by being involved with the politics of his country,” Colver said. “He is someone that has been a musician, politician and activist.”

Tickets are still available for the performance, but space is limited. Contact the Memorial Hall Box Office for more information.



Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.