Boca Do Rio

Brazilian space funk band Boca Do Rio lands in the Red Room on Saturday, Oct. 1. The free Crystal Bay Casino show starts at 10 p.m.

Boca do Rio strengthens its foundation as the Mission’s longest-playing and hardest-hitting Brazilian-American funk band. After a decade performing all original material during the heyday of San Francisco’s live music scene, Boca do Rio has evolved into a multi-layered electro-funk party boat with a sound that is fluid and edgy, adaptable and free. Born of the mixing of waters of Brazil and the San Francisco Bay, Boca do Rio has created musicá organicá – music that developed through the rhythm of living and working between the Americas.

The band started flowing when Kevin Welch and Alex Calatayud formed a musical partnership in the late nineties that would redefine Brazilian music in the Bay Area. The musical collaboration was founded in deep respect for past traditions, steeped in the sambas and choros (Brazilian ragtime of a bygone era) that echoed through the Brazilian favelas, while always evolving forward to create an organic sound that is decidedly modern and funky.

Boca do Rio performs all of its own compositions and these songs have been lived by these hard-working musicians as they have forged their voices as Brazilians, as Americans, and as Brazilian-Americans and everything in between. The result is an explosion of rich melodies and harmonies, anchored by the deepest beat on the planet. Eduardo Amado (bass), a native of Cabo Verde Africa, and Scott Johnson, an East Bay native, join forces to bring a propelling and unique swing – a  dinga! Jacob Aginsky graces the festivities with his electro-wizardy on keys. Larry De La Cruz  (saxophone) mines the harmonic depths for musical gems on this journey evolved of undeniable beats and pleasures. DJ Trop’a   (France) brings analog soul to the tables with his silky scratching. Kevin Welch leads these adventurers through waters swift and deep.