“Describing Capoeira as a fusion of kickboxing, breakdancing, and samba would give you no idea of its grace or its power. With lashing kicks, spins and continuous rolling cartwheels, the dance involves the body’s spinning a carapace of movement around itself, or enclosing itself in a blur of vector lines.”
-- Vancouver Sun, Lloyd Dyck
Aché Brasil represents the culture, the traditions, the beliefs, the music and the movement of the people of Brazil. With equal parts music, dance, and spectacle, Aché Brasil has played to enthusiastic audiences and has gained critical acclaim from all over North America receiving a recent nomination for, "Live Performers of the Year" at the West Coast Music Awards. Through music and dance, this high-energy group educates and entertains audiences of all ages about Brazil’s cultural diversity. The musicians and dancers of Aché Brasil exhibit a rare combination of authenticity and excellence in their work, which is presently unmatched in North America.
Aché Brasil specializes in the performance of popular and traditional Afro-Brazilian music, dance and rhythms. Amazing acrobatic feats and dances all done to a combination of Brazil’s most infectious rhythms, featuring a fabulous back-up band comprised of some of Brazil and Canada’s finest musicians. While Aché Brasil’s music is rooted in the more traditional forms of Brazilian rhythms: Samba, Maracatu, Coco de Roda, Capoeira; it also reflects the influences of Brazilian and North American pop. These influences have created something new, Aché Brasil’s own contribution to the evolution of Brazilian music.
Originating from Pernambuco, by founder and director, Mestre Eclilson de Jesus, the group has gone on to receive international acclaim, performing for hundreds of festivals and special events such as, The International Vancouver Jazz Festival -- four consecutive years, World Figure Skating Championship, Frostbite Festival in Whitehorse, Mission Folk Music Festival, etc. Seen by thousands on The Vicky Gabareau Show, CBC’s West Coast Music Award, Aché Brasil has far exceeded the expectations of many festivals.
“The energy of the band never slowed for the whole hour of their performance… Aché Brasil proved to be a super band.” The Yukon News, Al Pope, Jun 07/01
The word "Aché" stems from Yoruba, meaning, "all things positive” and it is in this spirit that British Columbia's foremost Brazilian music and dance troupe hopes to inspire others to explore the energetic and multi-faceted culture of Brazil.
"The warmth and enthusiastic rapport with the audience, combined with the infectious rhythms and dazzling dance created and evening of unsurpassed enjoyment!”
-- Francis Xavier, Artistic Director – Mission Folk Festival
The Players and Dancers:
Eclilson de Jesus - Artistic Director, Master of Capoeira, Choreographer, and Percussionist
Originally from Recife, Brazil, Mestre Eclilson was influenced at an early age by the folkloric musical atmosphere of Recife. Known for his sinuous agility and breathtaking acrobatics and superb percussion skills, he was invited to perform for the Children's festivals throughout North America in 1990 and decided to make Vancouver his new home. Mestre Eclilson is a master of Capoeira with over 20 years experience. He has a strong capoeira academy with two schools in Canada and six in his native Brazil. Mestre Eclilson has brought his infectious style and founded the group Aché Brasil which has gone on to become one of the most popular touring and performance group in Canada. Aché Brasil has played to enthusiastic audiences and critical acclaim from all over North America performing for thousands of festivals, schools and television since 1990.
Fernando de Jesus - Vocalist, Composer, and Percussionist
Born in Olinda, Pernambuco, Brazil, Fernando studied for several years at the University of FUNESE. As a writer and composer much of his lyrics deal with the history and heritage of the Afro-Brazilian culture. He has recently composed several songs which will be in Aché Brasil's new CD release. He resides in Vancouver, Canada and works exclusively with Aché Brasil.
Edson da Silva - Capoeirista, Dancer, Percussionist
A recent arrival from Pernambuco, Recife, Brasil, Edson has been studying Capoeira with Mestre Eclilson de Jesus‘ academy in Brazil. Edson’s determination and enthusiasm in excelling at Capoeira for the past four years has been awarded with an invitation to perform in Canada with the group. He is well known in Brazil for his amazing acrobatics skills and is here to perform exclusively with Aché Brasil. |
