Pink Umbrella- RIJU, Coja, Portugal April 17th, 2026

This was a very interesting jazz concert with some famous underground Dutch and one Brazilian musicians, who gathered to play the music by Peter Schön (Crypto, Mad Farmers Liberation Front, Nina Hagen, etc.).  A lot of tall Dutch people and a few people that I had met before but mostly new folks for me. The show started about 21:10 and there was probably about 60-80 people. I was in the front row, which was great for the view but since the left PA speaker had a blown speaker, the volume was heavily shifted to the right. It sounded more balanced when I went to the back at the end of the show. You did not need ear plugs. It was a bit too quiet but decent sound.  It started with a couple of lounge jazz like pieces and you could tell these guys were great players. Rosalinde, Peter´s daughter, she was a real pro singer as well.  Some really challenging vocal parts in some of these songs. They had learned all this music in 2 days! Zanzibar was next and by far the highlight of the evening with everyone taking a great solo and Toniko, the Brazilian 7 string guitar player going off like John McLaughlin. Wow… Wish I had filmed this track. Amazonia, featured a young lady, Amanda, on backing vocals to compliment Rosalinde.  Next was a song by Toniko and Rosa said they had sung 20 years ago. Wow… Lets try it Again?, had Amanda back and she did some of the lead vocals as well. She was nervous for sure. I should say that most of the singing and talking was in Portuguese but Rosa did speak in English a bit more after the first half of the show. The Brazilian song, Primavera was lead by Toniko. 

Next he did a solo acoustic guitar piece. They closed the set with a classic Portuguese song, Avé Maria, in which a group of 8 women joined on the stage and played percusssion and sang.  I though this was the end and left but I could hear they did come back and do one more, it seems. Great musicianship from all. A nice evening out…

Songs of Immortality- Sali Musica Siva- A Ponte, Benfeita April 6th, 2026

This was a very interesting event, unlike any I had ever attended in my 1000s of concerts. This was the description: 

Songs of Immortality (South Indian Classic music & Tasty organic Food)

"Sali Musica Siva, M. Balachandar  (a world famous   Indian Percusionist, who played in Ravi´s Orchestra, Tribute) and Sara on keyboard will present and translate the poems of the Yogis. They explain the science that bestows natural health and leads towards physical immortality. We will then have an amazing  menu of  organic yogic food: 
Veg curry with sprouted lentils and red rice, fresh coconut chutney, veg stir-fry, veg & lentil cutlets,  natural dessert."

The Saturday before, Sali Siva came to the studio and I helped him set up there UAD apollo interface for using as a mixer as well as a recording device.  It went well and we were all satisfied. I showed up at 1645 and we set everything up and it all sounded great. It was a great space for this kind of arrangment.  They more or less started on time and Sali did like 50% talking and explaining the poems, stories and events he would sing about with some great Mridangam (an instrument that came before the tabla but a similar sound, tambura drone and some keyboard accompaniment. There were 16 people, I think.  The concert was about 100 mins and then there was some lovely all vegan Indian food. It did not have any chile in it though.  What a cool and interesting event. I had never experienced something quite like it.  

Khelas Collective- Azére, Portugal March 29th, 2026

This was a really cool gathering at a guy name Sancho´s Quinta 15mins outside of Tabúa. It was not easy to find though.  When I arrived about 1630, there was about 50 people I guess.  You could attend for free and they had a bar with all kinds of drinks for purchase or free water and if you paid 13€ you could get a stamp and have all you can eat pizza. I am sure there were plenty who did not pay though, as no one was checking if you had a stamp or not!!

About 1730, some folks got up and played some songs with acoustic guitar and accordion and then I guess it was 18 or a bit later Khelas started to play. They are a lovely four piece band with Kate on piano, trumpet and melodica, backing and sone lead vocals, Laura- Guitar, saxophone, and lead vocals (most songs), Shiv- Bass and Spanish raps, and Pedro on drums.  They had recently recorded 3 songs in my studio (all of which were played). I was looking forward to hear the rest of their 15 original songs.

They started off with a bit of a sound check jam and then did some reggae tracks, Country Living (not the Gladiators song!). Some of it was a bit lose but cool songs. They leave it a bit open in their song structures for longer solos or just some raps by Shiv.. Clearly a band having a lot of fun. Most of the audience was not really paying attention a lot of the time.  Lots of kids running around.  People danced to the reggae stuff.  It was a few peoples birthday so they did a birthday song and they brought out some cakes. Fun….The sun was directly behind the band so it was difficult to watch them until the sun went down for the last 25mins or so…

Set List: Jam, Too High, Forest or the Trees, Country Living, Love over War, Feminine Vibration, Birthday Song, Feet on the Ground, Where the time Goes, Sea of Gold, How long it lasts, ?, Do you Wonder, last piece with a guy on Accordion 

I look forward to see them again..  Met some folks I knew but mostly it was new people or people I had only seen at markets or other places..   Check the band out as they will soon release these three songs.