São Paulo – The lute plays, accompanied by beats from the derbak and the daff, among other typical instruments. The party is about to begin. Running the show for over 20 years is the Arab music group Banda Árabe Laieli Almaza, from São Paulo. Specializing in the rhythms and songs of the Middle East, the group was originated as brothers Ely and Chafic Almaza arrived in Brazil, in the 1950s. The Lebanese siblings used to play at family and community parties, a tradition that inspired their heirs, who now play in the Laieli band, to carry on with their work. Such dedication saw them performing in the film Lavoura Arcaica (To the Left of the Father), by Luiz Fernando Carvalho, released in 2001.
"I have been playing in restaurants since I was 13, I learned from my father," says Eduardo Almaza, son of Ely Almaza and the band’s leader alongside his cousin, Samir Almaza. Eduardo, who plays the derbak in the concerts, explains that the Laieli band plays an average of two concerts each month, mostly in states such as Paraná, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and Goiás, as well as the Federal District. "What is curious is that most of the people who hire us are not of Arab origin, but love this type of music," he explains.
In their concerts, the Laieli band may have four to nine members, depending on what the hirer wants. Two to eight dancers are available to accompany the musicians. In addition to the best-known tunes, the group usually takes requests from the audience. "During the parties, many guests come on stage and sing with us, touched," says Eduardo. "Those more on the nostalgic side request old melodies from countries such as Lebanon, and we cater to them right away," he guarantees.
Besides nostalgia, another sure way to make the dance-floor crowd go wild is to combine Arab rhythms with a good Brazilian spice. Including samba. "I love Zeca Pagodinho," says Eduardo. "And one day I want to join the two types of music together," he claims.
At the movies
Eduardo says that one of the biggest joys for Laieli thus far was to appear in the To the Left of the Father film. "A friend told us Luiz Fernando Carvalho was auditioning some bands," he says. "We broke his heart in two at the audition." "He sensed that we play from the soul," explains the musician, highlighting that this is the same feeling that has had the group hitting the road for so many years. And playing Arab music around.
Contact
Eduardo Almaza
+55 11 7810-0886
Site: www.laielialmaza.com.br
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
