Stories - 3rd
Reggae Roots
Place taken: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Nathan Lane, Lawrence University
ISA Buenos Aires, Fall 2008
Before joining the band pictured in this photo, I wasn't getting to know Buenos Aires. I spent most nights trying to squeeze Spanish language practice out of my taciturn host mother and attending capoeira (an Afro-Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, music, and dance) practice at a local gym. One Wednesday evening, however, my Brazilian capoeira instructor, Mario, invited the class to see his band perform at a local bar. Mario's first language was Portuguese and had never really studied Spanish, so more detail than that could not penetrate the dense linguistic fog that separated him and me.
Somehow, I translated Mario's after-class speech into a street address and arrived at the bar to catch the last few numbers of his unusual musical outfit. Although employing eight musicians, including two percussionists and two guitar players, they had only one guy in the horn section. I sensed an opportunity though I had no idea how to go about what I had in mind.
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This photo may not be reproduced or used in any way without the express, written consent of the photographer.
Photo by Nathan Lane, Lawrence University