Photo courtesy of Capilano University

Fans of Brazilian rhythms will be treated to an evening of the country’s sensual music at Capilano University. On Jan. 30, vocal ensemble NiteCap will perform Brazilian jazz hits of the last decades.

“[NiteCap] is made up of about eight or nine vocalists and a rhythm section. All of the vocalists have their own microphone,” says instructor Réjean Marois.

“I write the vocals for them. We work with an outside artist; I contact them and decide what music to do. Then we practice.”

Born in Thetford Mines, Quebec, Marois has worked as a conductor, music advisor and arranger throughout the U.S. and Canada for the last 25 years. He teaches at Capilano University, and has been in charge of NiteCap since 1988.

The group has three or four shows a year, so they rehearse often. While most of their shows take place at the university, the group occasionally has performances at The Cultch.

Working with a rotating group

Since the group is made up of university students, there are always members leaving and new members coming in.

“The transition isn’t all at once; it is fairly smooth. With the vocalists, it’s not as if all eight or nine of them leave each year, about four of them do, so we have about four new, four old students. The older students help the younger ones learn what to do, and to keep a good attitude and work ethic,” says Marois.

Attitude and work ethic are very important in the ensemble. The students have a lot of other commitments outside the ensemble, so they have to be willing to work hard.

“We need to have positive spirit,” says Marois. “If one group member is negative, everyone will be negative. I have been very fortunate the students have always been helpful and willing to work hard.”

Many of the members don’t necessarily pursue music or singing after university.

“I look at the people I taught. I see singers yes, but I also see professors, doctors, many different things. To influence so many people, and such different people, it’s very fulfilling,” says Marois.

The music

Along with the university’s “A” Band, NiteCap will be performing Brazilian jazz, a bubbly, rhythmic genre. They’re using the music from several famous Brazilian composers, including João Gilberto, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Baden Powell, Jorge Ben and Caetano Veloso.

“We’re taking the structure of the song, but we’re changing it,” says Marois, “it’s still jazz, still by the same music, but it does sound different. We want to challenge ourselves, create something artistically interesting, that’s the goal.”

A Tribute to Brazil will be performed at Capilano University Jan. 30, 8 p.m.

For more information, please visit capilanou.ca.