Brazilian Romance Music 
Fills Royal Oak Library (video)
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Oct. 7, 2017)
Royal Oak, MI – The sounds of Rio de Janeiro flowed through the auditorium of the Royal Oak Library Saturday as Sheila Landis presented “A Brazilian Love Affair” concert.
Joined by Rick Matle on guitar, Kurt Krahnke on bass, and Karen Tomalis on drums, Landis sang in both English and Portuguese, doing both slow romantic songs and faster-paced numbers.
Landis, who lives in Rochester Hills, has been performing for over 45 years. Though she’s 
never been to Brazil, she developed a love of the music from her mother. “Mom had nice recordings in the early 60s and that influenced me a lot,” she said. “Like all moms she got us to watch the Beatles in 1964 and from then I wanted to be a musician.”
She loves all kinds of music. “In a perfect world I’d be a drummer,” she said. “I’m a steering wheel beater. Any time there is music I have to tap along. I like county music, 80s music, even John Phillips Souza. There’s nothing like a good march. I love it all.”
Most often Landis plays with Matle who is not a fan of pop music. “Popular music is geared towards making money,” he said. “Jazz and blues take a little effort. You have to seek it out. But it’s timeless.”
Of the Brazilian music, Landis said “It’s got a lot of European chords, but the rhythm has a lot 
of African influence. It’s really a unique mix of cultures that comes through in the music.” The concert included bossa nova, samba, cha-cha and more.
Friends of the Royal Oak Library support the Live Music Series. Check out the following future concerts:
Saturday, Nov. 4 – 3pm – The Vintage Stringband
Monday, Dec. 4 – 7pm – Royal Oak Handbell Ensemble
Tuesday, Dec. 5 – 7pm – Holiday Cello Performance
Saturday, Dec. 9 – 3pm – RJ Spangler Quartet
For more info:
