Chalana de Prata

Genres

chamamé, polca, guarania, regional music, pantanal music

Instruments

accordion, bass, vocal, 10-string viola, acoustic guitar

Biography

Chalana de Prata is a Brazilian musical group formed by Dino Rocha, Celito Espíndola, Paulo Simões, and Guilherme Rondon. The group stands out for cultivating the border musical genres of the Río de la Plata Basin, such as polka, guarania, and chamamé, blending them with rhythms from the Brazilian countryside. Their work seeks to translate the essence of Pantanal music for a broader audience, interpreting both original compositions and regional classics.

Featuring a lineup of artists with solid individual careers, Chalana de Prata is known for the virtuosity of its members. Dino Rocha is a renowned accordionist, frequently called the "King of Chamamé." Celito Espíndola contributes bass and vocals, as well as being the author of several tracks. Paulo Simões adds vocals and the 10-string viola to the group's sound, being also a prominent songwriter, with the song "Trem do Pantanal" being one of his best-known works, elected the most representative song of Mato Grosso do Sul. Guilherme Rondon completes the quartet with his refined acoustic guitar technique and compositions that have already been nationally broadcast.

The group released their debut CD, titled "Chalana de Prata," through the Sauá label, four years after their founding, due to the need to reconcile the members' individual schedules. The album includes hits such as "Trem do Pantanal," "Chamamé Comanda," and "Baile Pantaneiro," in addition to new renditions of classics like "Chalana" (by Mário Zan and Arlindo Pinto), "Prazer de Fazendeiro" (by Délio and Delinha), and "Mocinhas da Cidade" (by Nhô Belarmino). Chalana de Prata's repertoire is marked by a "dancing joy of living," which reflects the authenticity of Pantanal culture and the passion for life and nature expressed through music.