Tijuca Taxi 1-5 piece Bossa Nova, Jazz and Latin ensemble!

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Price Guide

The guide prices below are for events in South West London. Outside this area extra travel expenses will apply. Please get in touch for an accurate quote.
Within 50 miles of SW1A or Stroud/GL5 (whichever is nearest):
1-piece: from £280
2-piece: from £527
3-piece: from £799
4-piece: from £1041
5-piece: from £1210
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About / Biography

Bossa Nova ("New Wave") is a style of music originating from Brazil during the 1960s, incorporating the rhythms of samba with the harmonies of jazz, and themes about the sea, past romances and the passing illusion of the carnival.

Tijuca Taxi blends smooth saxophone, flute and male vocals, with the warm, breezy tones of the strummed acoustic guitar, piano, bass and drum kit. Interpreting a diverse range of repertoire by the likes of Tom Jobim, Ary Barroso, Baden Powell, Carlos Lyra, Chico Buarque, Durval Ferreira, Ivan Lins, Luis Bonfa, Marcos Valle, Roberto Menescal and Toquinho, and contemporary jazz-Bossa fusions such as Azymuth, Bossacucanova and Toninho Horta.

Line ups:

  • 1-piece: Sax/Flute/Vocals, Backing Tracks
  • 2-piece: Sax/Flute/Vocals, Guitar
  • 3-piece: Sax/Flute/Vocals, Guitar, Cajon
  • 4-piece: Sax/Flute/Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Bass OR Percussion
  • 5-piece: Sax/Flute/Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Bass, Percussion

DJ service/background music is included free of charge.


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Reviews (21)

There are currently 21 user ratings for Tijuca Taxi

AVERAGE RATING

10 / 101

Location

Based in South West London

Will travel up to 500 miles
green circle = areas covered (up to 500 miles)
Please note that the circles shown on the map are calculated "as the crow flies". By road distances may vary, so please get in touch for an accurate quote.

Bossa Nova & Brazilian:

Azymuth - Cascade Of The Seven Waterfalls

Baden Powell - Berimbau

Baden Powell - Canto De Ossanha

Bossacucanova - Just A Samba

Bossacucanova - Previsão

Carlos Lyra - Influência Do Jazz

Carlos Lyra, Vinícius De Moraes - Voce E Eu (You And Me)

Chico Buarque - Essa Moça Ta Diferente

Chico Buarque - Samba E Amor

Dorival Caymmi / Antônio Almeida - Doralice

Durval Ferreira - Batida Diferente

Durval Ferreira - E Nada Mais

Durval Ferreira - Estamos Aí

Durval Ferreira - Moça Flor

Durval Ferreira - Nostalgia Da Bossa

Durval Ferreira - Recado Bossa Nova

Durval Ferreira - Tristeza De Nós Dois

Edu Lobo - Ponteio

Ivan Lins - A Gente Merece Ser Feliz

Ivan Lins - Aparecida

Ivan Lins - Deixa Eu Dizer

Ivan Lins - Somos Todos Iguais Nesta Noite

João Donato - A Rã (The Frog)

João Donato - Amazonas

João Donato - Bananeira (Banana Tree)

Jorge Ben - Mais Que Nada

Lanu ft. Christin Deralas - Shine

Luis Bonfa - Manha Do Carnaval (Morning Of The Carnival)

Luis Bonfa - Samba De Orfeu (Orpheus' Samba)

Marcos Valle - Batucada

Marcos Valle - Os Grilos (Crickets Sing For Anamaria)

Marcos Valle - Parabêns (Celebrate)

Marcos Valle - Queria

Marcos Valle - Samba De Verão (Summer Samba)

Milton Nascimento - Circo Marimbondo

Milton Nascimento - Cravo E Canela (Cinnamon & Clove)

Milton Nascimento - Tudo O Que Você Podia Ser

Milton Nascimento - Vera Cruz

Paquito D'Rivera - Snow Samba

Roberto Menescal - Nos E O Mar (Us And The Sea)

Roberto Menescal - O Barquinho (Little Boat)

Roberto Menescal - Rio

Roberto Menescal - Telefone

Ronaldo Boscoli - Saudade Fez Um Samba

Rory - Lullaby (In Dying Light)

Rory - Moonlight

Rory - Sign Of Love

Salvadore Poe - Daybreak

Seu Jorge - Carolina

Seu Jorge - Chega No Suingue

Seu Jorge - E Seu Favela

Tom Jobim - A Felicidade

Tom Jobim - Água De Beber (Water To Drink)

Tom Jobim - Chega De Saudade (No More Blues)

Tom Jobim - Corcovado (Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars)

Tom Jobim - Desafinado (Off Key)

Tom Jobim - Ela É Carioca

Tom Jobim - Garota De Ipanema (Girl From Ipanema)

Tom Jobim - Insensatez (How Insensitive)

Tom Jobim - Meditação (Meditation)

Tom Jobim - O Amor Em Paz (Once I Loved)

Tom Jobim - O Morro Não Tem Vez (Favela)

Tom Jobim - O Nosso Amor (Our Love)

Tom Jobim - Samba De Uma Nota Só (One Note Samba)

Tom Jobim - Samba Do Avião (Song Of The Jet)

Tom Jobim - Só Danço Samba (I Only Dance Samba)

Tom Jobim - Triste (Sadness)

Tom Jobim - Vivo Sonhando (Dreamer)

Tom Jobim - Vou Te Contar (Wave)

Toninho Horta - Bicycle Ride

Toninho Horta - Festa Em Olinda

Toninho Horta - Luisa

Toninho Horta - Mountain Flight

Toquinho - Carta Ao Tom

Toquinho - Samba De Orly

Latin, Funk and Acid Jazz:

/Party/Fusion

Barry Manilow - Copacabana

Corduroy - Something In My Eye

Dan Hartman - Relight My Fire (Bossa Version)

Jamiroquai - Corner Of The Earth

Jamiroquai - Stillness In Time

Kaoma - Lambada

Matt Bianco - Half A Minute

Pérez Prado - Guaglione

Pérez Prado - Mambo No. 5

Quincy Jones - Soul Bossa Nova

The Champs - Tequila

Technical Info

What are your basic technical requirements?

5-piece: 4m x 3m
3 DI
1 microphone

5-piece: 4m x 3m
3 DI
1 microphone

3-piece: 3m x 3m
2 DI
1 microphone

2-piece: 3m x 3m
1 DI
1 microphone

1-piece: 2m x 2m
0 DI
1 microphone


Do you provide sound and lighting equipment?

Sound - yes. Lighting - please enquire and we will arrange.


What information do you require about a venue?

As much as possible! Since we are a small ensemble, we only have 1-2 cars arriving maximum. During show advancing, we will liaise with the clients and work on a document where all contact details and timings are listed ensuring everyone is on the same page and smooth arrangements are guaranteed. As standard, we also arrive 2 hours before performance start time, which allows 1 hours for arrival/setup/soundcheck and 1 optional hour for curfew (point at which the band is set up ready with background music on). Any details that the clients can provide will be added to that document and relayed internally to the musicians well-ahead of the date.


Can you provide a Spotify/DJ service before and between your sets?

Yes, this is included free of charge and can be adapted to fit the theme of the event as we have quite a selection!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best gig you've ever done and the best venue you've ever played at?

Entertaining the athletes at the 2012 Olympic Games @ Olympic Park, Stratford.


Which artists have you been most influenced by, who is your favourite artist and what is the greatest song of all time?

Vocally, I have been compared to Emilio Santiago and Ivan Lins. As a saxophonist, my favourite influence has always been Paquito D'Rivera, along with Stan Getz (of course!) and Hermeto Pascoal. Favourite songwriters include Tom Jobim, Roberto Menescal, Marcos Valle, João Donato, Durval Ferreira and Carlos Lyra - which feature heavily in our repertoire. We also take influences from the funky, upbeat arrangements of Leny Andrade, Os Cariocas/Quarteto Do Rio and Wanda Sá.


What's your previous experience and how did you start gigging?

Early experiences playing Bossa Nova in 2005 and a trip to Rio de Janeiro in 2009 to study the Rio sound as part of my RNCM masters thesis sparked our blossoming love affair with all things Balança and Saudade. While Latina Carnivale and Latina Festivale dominated our music careers throughout our 20s, the Brazilian lineups provided under the Rory listing slowly bubbled away underneath. The result is Tijuca Taxi - a beautiful blend of jazz with Brazilian music - which has performed at events such as 2012 Olympic Games, Oracle Festival Reading, NESTA London, various garden parties and weddings in Manchester, London, Stroud and even Essex!


What's your favourite type of event to play at?

Chilled, intimate gatherings with a relaxed vibe.

Performance Info

What are your typical setup and performance times?

Lead Time:
We allocate 2 hours Lead Time which includes 2 hours for Arrive, Setup, Soundcheck and an optional 1 hour Curfew (time at which the band/stage is set up and background music is playing).

Live Time:
We perform for a maximum of 120 minutes split over a maximum performance window of 3 hours.


Are you happy to perform outside?

Yes, as long as suitable rain cover is provided. We also ask for a flat level surface and a power supply close to the performance area for the 4 and 5 piece lineups.


Do the clients have a say in what you play or is it a set repertoire list only?

Yes, clients can choose from the set list and song requests already on set list are included at no extra charge. If the song is not already on our set list and fits the Brazilian/Latin theme, these are also included at no extra charge, since we are passionate about the music and always on the lookout for new repertoire. Songs that don't fit the theme (e.g., Adele, contemporary pop, Jubel etc.) can be incorporated, but for a small extra charge per song as it will require arranging and learning. Please consult your agent for the charges.


How do previous clients most commonly describe your performances?

"created a buzzing vibe and went down very well with our audiences” Manchester Camerata "went down a treat with our guests, creating a festive atmosphere and keeping them drinking and dancing until the embers glowed" Proof Bar, Manchester. "The music was relaxed and subtle, which meant that the conversation could flow, but so enjoyable to listen to that you didn't want it to end" Garden Party, Manchester. "added a wonderful, tasteful musical presence to our staff summer party" NESTA, London. "contributed greatly to the ambience we were trying to achieve for our Brazilian-theme wedding shower. He plays several instruments very well and has a broad repertoire to choose from" Brazilian Baby Shower, Clapham. "He impressed everyone with his playing and singing and he was the talk of the evening" Garden Party, Essex. "loved the seamless change from flute, to vocals, to sax!" Stroud Subscription Rooms. "such brilliant reports of his playing" Stonehouse In Bloom (winner 2024)


What lineups do you offer?

5-piece:
Sax/Flute/Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Bass, Kit
While guitar forms the rhythmic foundation of Bossa Nova, we find that a fuller, more balanced sound is created with BOTH guitar (referencing the Samba accents to lock in the rhythm) AND piano (filling out the harmonies). Therefore, we do encourage clients to book the quintet as this has everything you need, together with the bass line and the kit.

4-piece:
Sax/Flute/Vocals and Guitar is guaranteed. Clients can then choose 2 instruments out of Piano, Bass and Kit. Note that if bass is excluded then it might sound slightly empty, so either a combination of Piano/Bass, or Bass/Kit is recommended for the other 2 instruments.

3-piece:
Sax/Flute/Vocals, Guitar, Cajon. Classic trio lineup.
With the trio lineup, the kit player switches to cajon, which provides the "bass-like" quality in addition to the percussive hits.

2-piece:
Duo of Sax/Flute and Guitar. Perfect for smaller, intimate events.

1-piece:
Sax/Flute/Vocals, Backing Tracks.


What is

BOSSA NOVA ("NEW WAVE") is a style of music originating from Brazil during the 1960s, made famous by songs such as "Chega De Saudade" ("No More Blues") and "Garota De Ipanema" ("Girl From Ipanema"). The style, rooted in Rio de Janeiro, and closely associated with Brazil, has become globalised and mixed with jazz, funk and even electronic/dance music. Tijuca Taxi demonstrates that the new wave isn't limited to lazy afternoons on the beach; it's energetic, upbeat music that can be danced to. Songs (typically in Portuguese, although occasionally in English) talk about "Saudade" (nostalgia/bittersweetness) - a feeling unique to the Lusophone world. Its rhythm is often described as "Balança" (balance), a side-to-side, 'horizontal' swing- as distinct from the 'vertical', triple-time-based swing of North American jazz. The music incorporates the rhythms of samba with the harmonies of jazz, and themes about the sea, past romances and the passing illusion of the carnival.

Recent Clients

Tijuca Taxi has performed for these clients:

Alice Hodge Designs, Stroud

Amnesty International Mid-Gloucestershire Group

BPP Law School, Manchester (City Centre)

Gallery Oldham, Oldham, Greater Manchester

JRool Bar & Kitchen, Stroud

Manchester Camerata (Bridgewater Hall)

NESTA, London (City)

Novotel, Manchester (City Centre)

Proof Bar, Manchester (Chorlton)

RNCM

Stonehouse In Bloom, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire

Stroud Jazz Club

Stroud Subscription Rooms

Venues

Tijuca Taxi has performed at these venues:

1 Plough Place, London (City)

Brunswick House, London (Vauxhall)

Chapel Gardens, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire

Gallery Oldham, Oldham, Greater Manchester

JRool Bar & Kitchen, Stroud, Gloucestershire

Novotel, Manchester (City Centre)

Private House, Cheadle, Cheshire

Private House, London (Chiswick)

Private House, London (Clapham)

Private House, London (Croydon)

Private House, Manchester (Eccles)

Private House, Stebbing, Essex

Proof Bar, Manchester (Chorlton)

Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester

Stroud Subscription Rooms

The Brewery, Stroud, Gloucestershire

The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester

The Hare & Hounds, Tetbury, Gloucestershire

The Long Table, Cirencester

The Long Table, Stroud

The Renaissance Hotel, Manchester (Deansgate)

The Stroud Hotel

The Subscription Rooms, Stroud, Gloucestershire

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