Brazilian Music Friday Feature #36

Today's pick is Corta-Jaca, a maxixe written by the composer and pianist Chiquinha Gonzaga in 1895, and sung by Lysia Condé in this more modernized version. The maxixe (sometimes called Brazilian tango) was a dance that came from the Afro-Brazilianization of the polka after Europeans brought it to Brazil, and which eventually evolved into samba. Chiquinha Gonzaga wrote in many styles, and was also Brazil's first woman conductor of an orchestra, breaking many gender barriers at the time - an awesome lady! 

Below is a more traditional, instrumental version of Corta-Jaca, a recording from the early 20th century.

Enjoy the song, and your weekend!