Annotations for People: Tiecholz-nina

[Background--music--guitar] Sergio and Odair are practicing absorbed with concentration. The brothers practice 10 hours a day every day, but they "never tire of it," says Sergio and music is always on his mind.

[Background--music--guitar] Sergio says his brother Odair is more relaxed, although of the two Sergio is more talkative and open. It's an openness that extends out to their audience when they play or more like an interplay says Sergio, since the audience affects how they improvise.

Guitar maker and friend Tom Humphrey.

[Background--music--guitar] These are the kinds of rhythms and melodies that Sergio and Odair grew up with in the house of their father, an amateur mandolin player who still lives in their small hometown outside of Rio de Janeiro. For a long time, Brazilian songs and Argentine Tangos were all they performed, but as teenagers, they began listening to classical music and in a turn away from Latin America, the Assad's latest release is devoted entirely to 18th century baroque music transcribed from pieces written for the harps accord. Because the instrument was plucked and therefore more percussive, its rhythms work well for the guitar.

[Background--music--guitar] When the Assads play, it's as if they have four hands, two guitars, but only one body. Their starts and stops are so accurately timed that you think they were somehow wired together.

[Background--music--guitar] Weird, but also seamless and intimate. Even when they play classical music or American jazz, you can hear the echo of Brazil with its sensual passionate rhythms. For Latino USA, I'm Nina Tyschultz reporting.