The ambience in the room was charged with excitement, anticipation of not knowing what to expect, and hopeful wonderment of the promise of free form expression. The theme of the evening, if there was one, was “Let’s See What Happens.” And what happened at the New York Irish Center was a fusion of Irish and Brazilian Samba, creating an earth-shattering beauty that is our essence, our deepest truth. The space was filled with microphones, music stands, chairs and instruments; over there lies an accordion, next to the accordion a banjo and fiddle, over there in front of the piano keyboard were two small tamborims with strikers, in the back on the other side of the room was surdos, and a conglomorate of other drums. The performers were hanging out, not knowing what to expect themselves, relaxed, talking, and chatting as the audience entered the space at the New York Irish Center in Long Island City. It was a relaxed performance, much like improvised performances in Irish pubs. You arrive with your instrument, tune up, and settle in to creating music with strangers who quickly become mates through the magic of music.

We started the evening with Irish ditties and traditional ballads. Ann Maria Acosta on accordion, Dylan James on banjo and fiddle, and Colin Harte on keyboard and vocals. The soul-searching sounds are comforting and hearty, celebratory and rejuvenating. The musicians and their instruments are joined by Celtic dancers, Kate Spanos and Molly Acosta, whose tapping and rhythmic stomping become part of the music. They add much to the pounding joy that was being created in front of us.

A quick break, and then Harlem Samba settled into the space. Harlem Samba emanates from the Frederick Douglass Academy located in Harlem, NY. They are a force to be reckoned with as a group of 8 that were in attendance that night, I can’t imagine their full force of 200 plus. It awakened all the senses with the drums and rhythm beats, much like jazz awakens every fiber of your body. Their conductor and music educator, Dana Monteiro, had brought from the Academy what he called his A-team, amazing students who, although in High School, have true command of their instruments, command in the musical world years beyond their teenage selves! They are musicians. They echo in their confidence and tremendous abilities the dedication and care instilled by their instructor, Mr. Monteiro.

Then another short break as all stepped onto the stage. This is where the magic lies and what we all came for. This is the fusion, the improvisation of the instruments as all there on stage feel the sound, feel the time to enter into the moment. Watching one another, they join in when they feel the call. Watching how this new musicality can move was like watching flowers become themselves!

Amid all this miraculous music and dance, there was a pause for the stunning Chenelle Seck (BHSEC-BX) to read the poem “Samba” by revolutionary Portuguese poet Noemia de Souza. A woman who strived to make a difference. It was a moment of music of the human voice and the power of resonating words.

This was an astonishing evening created by Colin Harte and Dana Monteiro’s fusion of Irish and Brazilian Samba. Here was proof of the power of music, both instrumental and vocal, that we can, with little effort, all create together!

There are other music fusion events coming up at New York Irish Center … HERE:  and Saturday, June 14th, 4- 9 pm, FREE OUTDOOR EVENT Queens Irish Heritage Festival

Irish traditional music featuring Ann Maria Acosta on accordion, Dylan James on Banjo and Fiddle, and Colin Harte on Keys, voice, and Bodhran Irish drum.
Brazilian Samba Musicians Dana Monteiro and the Harlem Samba School. Harlem Samba student percussionists: Frydda de Leon (cuíca player and Singer)
Harrod Yeboah (singer of Harlem samba song), Sebastian Perez (Cavaquinho Player)
and Chris Martinez, Kevin Karikari, Dereck Reynoso and Brian Cardenas
The Celtic dancers: Kate Spanos and Molly Acosta.
Chenelle Seck (BHSEC-BX) read the poem “Samba” by revolutionary Portuguese poet Noemia de Souza

(The cuíca that Frydda de Leon played is an “Afro-Brazilian musical instrument. It produces sound by rubbing the stick inside the drum with a piece of wet cloth while pressing down on the instrument’s skin.” It is a wonderful, unusual sound and so much fun to watch it being “played.)

New York Irish Center 1040 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101
(One stop from Grand Central on the 7 train.)