Episode One: J.L. Santos Spencer, Violan Virtuoso
In their first interview episode, Candida and Ruby speak with the illustrious guitarist, vocalist, journalist, and radio personality J.L. Santos Spencer. Together, they discuss musical sentimento (sentiment), different styles of funaná, Spencer’s compositional skills, and how music can build solidarity and connection internationally. Digressions include Spencer’s moments as a guitar hero, the Brazilian cuíca, and the moment when Spencer’s “radio voice” was discovered—at age 14.
Episode One Transcription Download
EPISODE RESOURCES
Find and Enjoy Spencer’s music on his YouTube Channel, @jlsantosspencer5463 - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiSyckM3Uqt9e3IBgq0kOuA
Or on his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jlsspencer
To hear some of Spencer’s unique musical compositions:
Serenata de Amor, featuring music by Spencer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M196bxQBkbo
Magda Évora, “Amor Infinito” - composed by Spencer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_o0t9MDTmo
Candida Rose Baptista, “Sodade,” arranged by Spencer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBSLy5Ou0XU
To see Spencer play guitar behind his head, go to 05:35 on this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vECcfahLXBY
Other Artists/Music we Referenced:
“Finarap” - Cikay Las and Princezito: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGxkl152Gkg
“To’ Martins” - Zeca di Nha Reinalda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOk0vU-6Iis
“Na Ri Na” - Lura: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmL2Il2sGto
“Fomi Quaranti-seti” - Kode di Dona: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xMykuAtSDM
“Dimokransa” - Kaká Barbosa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5p0MI9BtFk
“Hora di Bai” (“Morna de despidida”) - Sãozinha: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0NkAmUEqNc
“Mexe-Mexe” - Bana: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIYCdg0Nds0
Hermínia da Cruz Fortes - “Filosofia” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iB0lyqMh5J4
Jacqueline Fortes - “Jam Sperôb Tcheu” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUV8CS2Me1U
Paulinho Vieira - “M’cria Ser Poeta” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4UpryzurOU
“Dez Ilhas No Mar” - Trio Salgado: https://open.spotify.com/track/4Tzn4CAHHdZFvwnE9kSy9O?si=8aa1ca4dc541430c
Sources Cited:
Cidra, Rui. 2015. “Politics of Memory, Ethics of Survival: The Songs and Narratives of the Cape Verdean Diaspora in São Tomé.” Ethnomusicology Forum 24:3 (December): 304–28. https://doi.org/10.1080/17411912.2015.1070677.
Some more about cuíca: https://jazztimes.com/reviews/products-and-gear/cuica-heres-the-rub/
Orkka International:
https://www.orkkainternational.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066673986226