TROVANTE

Trovante biography
Formed: 1976. Sagres, Portugal
Disbanded: 1992
Status as of April 2021: occasional

TROVANTE were a Portuguese band formed in 1976. Their signature sound can be described as a blend of traditional Portuguese and South American music, jazz fusion, and a pop sensibility with progressive influences. Starting off as a vehicle for a leftist political message, their first couple of albums, Chão Nosso (1977) and Em Nome da Vida (1978), mixed a very pastoral folk sound with jazz and symphonic prog elements to gorgeous effect, though somewhat marred at times by politically charged, if undoubtedly heartfelt lyrics.

The band's musical and lyrical output became progressively refined until reaching its creative apex in 1981 with the magnificent Baile no Bosque, an undeniable masterpiece within the context of the Portuguese musical scene. This was followed two years later by Cais das Colinas, another seminal release in their discography, if slightly more accessible.

The following years saw the band move in a more commercial direction, with 84 (1984) and Sepes (1986) nonetheless retaining something of the spirit of the previous albums. However, this shift culminated in the release of two bland and uninspired pop/rock records, Terra Firme (1987) and Um Destes Dias... (1990), each generating a few very successful hits, before TROVANTE finally disbanded in 1992.

Since this time, the band has regrouped several times for concerts, including a 35th anniversary performance in 2011.

Bio courtesy of SolNiger (Artur De Lara). April 2021