Music of the Americas: Samba and Bullerengue

Wednesday, August 6, 10 am

Michi Ruzitschka is a seven-string guitarist and producer from Austria who spent 20 years in Brazil and now lives between both countries. A Berklee College of Music graduate, he blends Brazilian guitar traditions with Flamenco and African influences. Michi has appeared on major Brazilian TV networks and features on over 30 albums, including his own SP and Café Mestiço. He won the Prêmio da Música Brasileira as a producer and has toured worldwide. His project Café Mestiço won a PROAC award, and he created the eBatuque app for learning Brazilian rhythms. His new album NÓS is coming soon.

"Rugas" is a traditional samba by Nelson Cavaquinho from Rio de Janeiro. From Vienna, Ruzitschka sent us his arrangement of this song for seven-string guitar.

Thursday, August 7, 10 am

Gilbert Martinez Sanchez and La Tambora de Gilbert are back with "La bienvenida," another example of Afro-Colombian bullerengue. 

The MetLife Foundation Music of the Americas concert series is made possible by the generous support of Presenting Sponsor MetLife Foundation.

The 2024–2025 series is also supported, in part, by the Howard Gilman Foundation, Augustine Foundation, Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, Mex-Am Cultural Foundation, Alice M. Ditson Fund of Columbia University, Amphion Foundation, and Mid Atlantic Arts.