IT`S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME FOR THE WORLD TO FALL UNDER DJAVAN`S SPELL. See full article by Marco Antonio Junqueira and Marlene Peret Djavan is a Brazilian composer, singer, and the owner of a respectable discography. His international success has taken him to the highest-ranking venues worldwide and his songs have been recorded by Al Jarreau, Carmen McRae, the Manhattan Transfer, and, in Brazil by Gal Costa, Dori Caymmi, Nana Caymmi, Lenine, João Bosco, Chico Buarque, Daniela Mercury, Ney Matogrosso, Dominguinhos, Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia, Johnny Alf, and other artists.

Djavan had early contact with music through his mother. From the environment, he took the rich northeastern folklore as influences. But he only began to play at 16, when he took the violão as a self-taught instrument. Abandoning his studies, he had to work small jobs. Still in his hometown, he formed the group LSD (Luz, Som, Dimensão), which covered the Beatles' repertory, playing in every venue for pocket money.

Moving to Rio in 1973, he became acquainted with Edson Mauro, a fellow statesman who was Rádio Globo's sports speaker, and presented Djavan to Adelzon Alves, who introduced him to Som Livre's producer João Mello. A month later, he was hired by Som Livre as a singer for soap opera soundtracks. In this capacity, he would record the many songs among which "Calmaria e Vendaval" (Toquinho and Vinicius) for Fogo sobre terra, and "Alegre Menina" (Dori Caymmi and Jorge Amado) for the soap opera Gabriela. He also participated in several hit-parade records, recording other composers' songs.

Meanwhile, to fatten his meagre budget, he worked as a crooner for four years in some nightclubs, before his breakthrough as a composer. Participating in TV Globo's festival Abertura (1975), he won second place with his song "Abertura." His first single came four months later with the songs "E que Deus Ajude," "Um Dia," "Rei do Mar," and "Fato Consumado." One year after, he recorded his first LP, (A Voz, o Violão e a Arte de Djavan, Som Livre), which had "Flor de Lis," a big hit which endures even today.

A while later, he did a solo show at the 706 nightclub for three months. He recorded a single arranged by João Donato with songs É hora and Romeiros and left Som Livre for Odeon. He then recorded "Djavan" (1979), "Alumbramento" (1980), and "Seduzir" (1981). In 1982, he signed with CBS, recorded "Luz" in the U.S. (produced by Ronnie Foster), where he made contacts with Quincy Jones, who acquired the publishing rights of many of his songs through Djavan's own publishing Luanda.

Stevie Wonder was a guest star on that album. In 1984, he recorded "Lilás" with production help from Eric Bulling, whose international sound can be heard on that album. In the same year, he worked in the film "Para Viver um Grande Amor" (Miguel Faria Jr.). He also recorded "Brazilian Knights and a Lady" (1985), "Meu Lado" (1986), "Não é Azul mas é Mar" (1987), and "Bird of Paradise" (1988). In 1989, he did "Djavan", accompanied by flamenco guitar player Paco de Lucia on the track "Oceano," included in a major soap opera. He followed with "Puzzle of Hearts" (1990), "Coisa de acender" (1991, with a partnership with Caetano Veloso on Linha do Equador), and "Noven" (1994). In 1996, he recorded "Malásia", which had Tom Jobim's Correnteza" included on a prime time soap opera and, in 1998, "icho Solto".

In 1999, he recorded "Ao Vivo" in two volumes, which sold 1.2 million copies and garnered him his first Diamond Record. He was awarded with three Multishow prizes: Best CD, Best Show, and Best Singer (popular election by vote of the cable channel spectators). He was paid tribute in the series Talento Brasileiro and with three Lumiar Songbooks, having his songs performed by many great artists. The following year, Djavan won a Grammy for Best Brazilian Song for "Acelerou" at the first Latin Grammy Awards.
(Source: V.O MUSIC - AGENCE ARTISTIQUE)

DJAVAN live in concert for the first time in over 10 years

Door 7.00pm Shows start 8.00pm

Thursday 31st March

Buy directly from these outfets:
Brasil by Kilo, 17 Oxford Street, W1
London Help4u, 84 Kingsway, WC2
Mizz Brazil, 783 Harrow Road, NW10
Sabor & Cor Brazilian, 27 Grosvenor Gardens, SW1

Parking is very restricted in Kentish Town. Car parking available in Regis Rd, NW5
Please use public transport: Kentish Town British Rail, Underground
and buses 134, 214 and C2,

To know more about Djavan CLICK HERE
Djavan official website in Portuguese: www.djavan.com.br
Event organised by www.ethermusic.net and www.fernandotubarao.com