Spok

This article is about Brazilian musician Inaldo Cavalcante de Albuquerque, better known as Spok. For Kiev Pioneer Movement Organization (SPOK), see National Organization of Scouts of Ukraine.

Spok
Birth name	Inaldo Cavalcante de Albuquerque
Also known as	Maestro Spok
Origin	Igarassu, Pernambuco, Brazil
Genres	frevo
Occupations	musician, composer, conductor
Instruments	saxophone
Years active	1984-present
Labels	Biscoito Fino
Associated acts	Spok Frevo Orquestra

Inaldo Cavalcante de Albuquerque, better known as Spok, is a Brazilian musician who is one of the main frevo composers in the state of Pernambuco. His big band, composed of 18 musicians is considered one of the most important frevo groups in the city of Recife. It has performed in many countries of the world, spreading the frevo style of rhythm. Spok has played with many other Brazilian artists, such as Raimundo Fagner, Alceu Valença, Antonio Nóbrega, Elba Ramalho, Geraldo Azevedo, Sivuca, Naná Vasconcelos and Rivotrill.^[1]

Spok has been called the new frevo ambassador for his contributions to the development and spread of the frevo rhythm.^[2]

Biography

Inaldo Cavalcante de Albuquerque was born in Igarassu, Pernambuco, Brazil. However, he lived in Abreu e Lima for most of his childhood, and began his musical studies there in 1984. Two years later, in 1986, he moved to Recife, where he worked with the greatest conductors and composers of Pernambuco of the day, such as Maestro Ademir Araújo, Maestro Clóvis Pereira and Maestro Guedes Peixotos.^[1][3]

In Recife, Spok studied in Centro Profissionalizante de Criatividade Musical do Recife, with the most eminent music teachers of the city, becoming one of the most important saxophonists in Recife. In 1996, he founded his big band, which is currently known as Spok Frevo Orquestra. Over the course of his career, he has played with many well-known Brazilian musicians, such as Raimundo Fagner, Alceu Valença, Elba Ramalho and Antonio Nóbrega.^[3]

Since 2007, Spok has organized the closing show for the Recife Carnival, an event which usually involves a large number of musicians. In 2009, for example, his orchestra had 170 musicians. Well-known artists, such as Lenine, Alceu Valença, Claudionor Germano, Lula Queiroga, Antonio Nóbrega, Moraes Moreira, Luis Melodia, Zé Renato and Leo Gandelman, also participated in his show.^[3]

SpokFrevo Orquestra

In 1996, Maestro Spok founded Banda Pernambucana, which played with Antonio Nóbrega around the world. Some years later, this group was named Orquestra de Frevo do Recife, becoming the SpokFrevo Orquestra in 2004.^[1]

In its initial years, the group played frevo songs as they were originally composed. However, bit by bit, the big band accepted some influences from jazz, emphasizing improvisations and introducing rhythmic innovations. This characteristic led to many negative reviews by traditional frevo musicians. However, it also helped make the Spok Frevo Orquestra famous in Recife and around the world.^[2][4]

In 2004, the big band recorded its first album, named Passo de anjo. This album was positively reviewed by experts for reinterpreting old classics and presenting new songs. In 2008, the big band recorded a DVD of its show, which was also released as CD. This work was named Passo de anjo ao vivo and contains performances by Lenine, Elba Ramalho and Zé da Flauta.^[2]

Spok Frevo Orquestra has performed in many countries of the world, such as Portugal, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, France and Austria, always spreading the music of Pernambuco.^[1]

Discography

• 2004: Passo de anjo^[5]
• 2008: Passo de anjo ao vivo^[6]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} "Biografia de Maestro Spok, projeto Frevos de Pernambuco" (in Portuguese). Portal Pernambuco Nação Cultural. http://www.nacaocultural.com.br/biografia-de-maestro-spok-projeto-frevos-de-pernambuco. Retrieved 18 March 2010. ^{[dead link]}
2. ^ ^{a b c} "Spok Frevo Orquestra" (in Portuguese). Diocionário Cravo Albin da Música Popular Brasileira. http://www.dicionariompb.com.br/spok-frevo-orquestra/dados-artisticos. Retrieved 18 March 2010. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} Cohen, Franklin. "Spok" (in Portuguese). Palhetas Gonzales. http://www.gonzalezreeds.com/portuguese/artistas/spok.html. Retrieved 18 March 2010. 
4. ^ Magioli, Ailton (3 February 2008). "Eumir Deodato e Spok Frevo Orquestra" (in Portuguese). Clube de Jazz. http://www.clubedejazz.com.br/noticias/noticia.php?noticia_id=587. Retrieved 18 March 2010. 
5. ^ "Passo de anjo" (in Portuguese). Discos do Brasil. http://www.discosdobrasil.com.br/discosdobrasil/consulta/detalhe.php?Id_Disco=DI05292. Retrieved 18 March 2010. 
6. ^ "Passo de anjo ao vivo" (in Portuguese). Discos do Brasil. http://www.discosdobrasil.com.br/discosdobrasil/consulta/detalhe.php?Id_Disco=DI05857. Retrieved 18 March 2010. 

External links

• SpokFrevo Orquestra on Myspace

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