Comprised of a unique blend of six talented Colorado musicians and steeped in the study and spread of authentic Brazilian music and culture, Ginga has been dazzling audiences with their energy and musicianship for close to a decade. Whether it’s the magnetizing pulse of a samba groove, the alluring dancing that accompanies or the sheer joy that is infused at every show, Ginga specializes in bringing people together to have a good time.

At any given Ginga show you might:
• hear a multitude of different Brazilian musical styles in one night
• walk in to find a dance lesson in session and learn your first steps
• find the bar serving traditional caipirinhas
• try your first bite of fiejoada or a pasteu
• meet incredible people and make new friends

You will:
• enjoy yourself and leave with a smile on your face
• dance until your legs hurt or you are dripping with sweat
• be back for more!

MEMBERS

Gui Camargo – lead vocals

Guilha Camargo was born in Lorena, Estado de Sao Paulo, Brazil, and started singing at the age of 8 at her local church. By 13 she was singing in bars, always accompanied by her late father, who loved to hear his daughter to sing and always encouraged her passion. It was also at the age of 13 that she had to choose between continuing her modeling career or continuing school and her music studies. She chose school and music, earning her degree in Human Resources, and diversified her talents singing with various types of ensembles ranging from orchestras and rock bands to traditional Brasilian styles including samba, samba reggae, axe, and forro. She arrived in the US in February of 2011 and soon began singing with Ginga after hearing them perform at the Laughing Goat in Boulder.

Greg LaLiberte – flute, saxophones, percussion, vocals

Greg, a woodwind specialist, has performed with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, The Temptations, The Four Tops, the Boulder Philharmonic, Rita Moreno, Barry Manilow, the Opera Orchestra of Albuquerque, Paul McCandless, Art Lande, Kai Eckhardt, Ty Burhoe, Bill Douglas, and his pianist mother, Patricia LaLiberte, in the LaLiberte Duo. He has won several competitions with the National Flute Association, is recorded on many CD’s as a sideman, and performs regularly throughout Colorado and the Midwest as a classical and jazz musician. Formerly the Instructor of Flute at Colorado State University and Instructor of Saxophone at the University of Colorado, Denver, Greg currently lives in Boulder and teaches privately.

Francisco Marques – guitar, vocals, cavaquinho, percussion, bass

Francisco is actively engaged in the creation and dissemination of Brasilian music in the RockyMountain area has played with a multitude of Brasilian music ensembles based out of Boulder, CO. Born in Sâo Paulo, Brasil, he was raised in the Washington D.C. area and graduated from Colby College in 2000 where he received a BA in Music with a focus on classical guitar. He has been playing in the Boulder area since June of 2000 with many bands in a variety of styles. He teaches privately on a variety of instruments with a focus on Brasilian music and rhythms. Along with guitar, Francisco actively plays the electric bass guitar, cavaquinho, pandeiro, cuica, repinique, repique de mao, tamborim, caixa, surdo, tantan with local Brasilian ensembles: Ginga, Sambadende, Bateria Alegria, Beco do Choro, Sambasong, Kid Akimbo.

Bill Kopper – guitar, percussion, vocals

Boulder guitarist Bill Kopper, who grew up on the Mississippi River, is also a percussionist and joins in on Ginga’s vocals. His extensive musical experience includes R&B, pop music, jazz and blues. He commented, “I also love the music of Brazil and have gotten into a branch of it called Choro – a sort of jazz music in Brazil.” He played for several years with Billy Tolles, “a masterful tenor saxophonist.” He said he has also had, “…a long-time musical friendship with Sonya Vallet, who conjures an incredible Gypsy-Flamenco-Carioca spirit.” Bill has also, “… done some gigs lately with MaxJazz artist, Rene Marie.” He is also a member of the Bob Montgomery quartet, “…who has put together a group that integrates guitar into the horn section in a very unique way.” In addition, he plays with Brazilian drummer, Henrique de Almeida’s band, The Brazilian Jazz Project. Bill has recorded with: Peter Yellen, Rehka Ohal, Mike Pagan, Henrique de Almeida, Garner & Geena Pruit and others. More at: billkopper.com

Raoul Rossiter – drums, percussion, vocals

Raoul moved to Boulder in 1979 from Tacoma, WA, and began playing the drums in 1985.  He started off playing simultaneously in a Christian dixieland band, a jazz trio, and a prog-rock outfit called “Frogpile”.  Some highlights in his musical life include: meeting and performing Brazilian music, jazz, R&B, and funk with Mitchell Long (6 years); recording an album with Sonya Valet, performing at El Chapultapec when Fred Wesley walked in with his horn; playing with Renée Marie in her band No Maintenance; meeting and performing with Marcelo Bernardes (saxophonist, flutist and arranger for Chico Buarque); and joining Hamster Theatre in the mid 90’s. For the past five years he has been drummer, percussionist and singer in Ginga, with whom he devotes most of his time and energy.  Recently he has performed with Kenny Walker, Bill Kopper, Erik Deutsch, Sonya Valet, Marguerite Juenemann, Dexter Payne, Diane French, Lois LaFond, Tina Marx, Ligeia Mare, and many others. Currently he’s the regular drummer for Ginga, Hamster Theatre, the Dexter Payne Quartet, Diane French, and Tina Marx.

Carl Dixon – percussion, vocals

Versatile percussionist Carl Dixon can be found performing in concert halls, jazz clubs, dance parties, festival stages, and street parades, playing music spanning many genres, continents, and instruments. He has performed with the Kailin Yong Peace Project, Dexter Payne, Pat Bianchi, the Elevations Jazz Orchestra, and the Central City Opera, Colorado Symphony, Boulder Philharmonic, and Greeley Philharmonic Orchestras. He is the musical director of the Boulder Samba School and Bateria Alegria, a Brazilian percussion ensemble. He teaches percussion and world music at the University of Colorado-Boulder and teaches private lessons in all areas of percussion. More at: carldixondrums.com.