Axé Worldfest
A non-profit arts organization present
Axé Concert Series (pronounced> Ashéé - Yoruba word meaning good vibrations!!!)
Showcasing artists in various venues across our city
Fall/Winter 2021/22
FEATURING
*ROMMEL releasing party for the album KARAWARA*
Singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer, Rommel from Maranhão, Brazil, came to the world during the carnival of 1987, on February 2; it was a day of celebration and Yemanja’s day. His initiation into music took place very early, at home, by his parents who came from a very strong musical tradition. From childhood to adolescence, music and instruments accompanied him at home, at school, and in his neighborhood. Thus, by the age of 14, Rommel was already playing in the musical scene of São Luís, his hometown.
When he was just 19 years old, he released his first album, “Transcendental”, in 2006. In that same year, he moved to Canada where his Brazilian roots were expanded by new songs, rhythms, and sound expressions. Quickly, Rommel had the opportunity to work with other musicians and music groups of different origins, such as People-Project and Souljazz Orchestra. With these groups he performed at important festivals, such as the Montréal and Ottawa Jazz Festival, the Blues Ottawa and the Toronto Global Groove.
The quality of his compositions, the ability to nurture meaningful partnerships, and the excellence on stage caught the attention of the critics and rendered him several awards. In 2010, he received both the prize “Great Revelation” at the Nuits d’Afrique Festival, and the “Prix de la Diversité” [Diversity Award], offered by the Arts Council of Montréal. Furthermore, in 2013, the artist received the CBC/Radio Canada “Revelation Award” in the World Music category.
Still on 2012, the musician released the album “Egológico Recycle” in collaboration with musicians from Ethiopia, Cameroon, France, and Brazil. Afterwards, he went on a tour in Canada, opened Gilberto Gil’s show at the Montreal Jazz Festival, and began recording his third album at the CBC studios in Montréal. “Nada Direito” was finally released in 2015 and also featured the participation of musicians from various origins with songs in English, French, and Portuguese.
Between 2014 and 2018, Rommel studied at the University of Liverpool, England, as part of an university exchange; he also studied at the Berklee College of Music, in Valencia, Spain, and completed, in 2017, the Bachelor of Music at Carleton University, in Ottawa, Canada. During these years, he took classes with several masters, including the Spanish guitarist and producer Israel Sandoval and the Canadian guitarist Roddy Elias.
“I consider myself a free artist and try not to fit into predetermined labels. I’m an artist of the world and my music reveals and is nourished by my wanderings ”, says Rommel.
The musician’s surprising fourth album, “Caminho de Vento”, from 2018, brings multifaceted and powerful compositions that use unique elements of Brazilian Popular Music and create connections with Reggae, Afrobeat, Funk, and Jazz. The album “Caminho de Vento” propelled Rommel to achieve, in 2019, the impressive facet of winning four “Coup de Coeur – MUZ” awards during the MUZ festival organized by Vision Diversité.
Since then, Rommel has dedicated himself more intensively to music production and released several singles. One of them was “Escutando as estrelas” which had Mestrinho as a special guest and the co-production by José Américo Bastos.
“Rommel is extremely talented, besides being very dedicated to his art. He seems to be restless, always searching for novelties, which is something common in every great artist”, praises Zé Américo. “I can feel that perfectly, especially in the way he plays the guitar when composing, and in the way he explores unknown, audacious rhythmic elements, as well as unconventional melodies. With so much talent and dedication, his legacy will undoubtedly be built with refined pearls and precious musical stones.”
In 2021, Rommel released the EP “Bússola das Andorinhas” in partnership with Brazilian and Canadian musicians. He also releases his sixth studio album entitled “Karawara” which pays tribute to the world’s indigenous peoples and their history of struggle for basic human rights and recognition. Karawara also addresses the topics of ancestry, spirituality, and environmental and social issues, using music as a means to spread a message of peace, hope, humanism, and compassion.
https://rommelmusic.com/
This Project is funded by FACTOR and has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada