If you haven't seen the movie "Once Upon A Time In Rio" - please do. It takes place in Rio and portrays the love story between a white girl from a rich family who falls in love with a black boy from the favela, the infamous shantytowns, that make up a lot of the city of Rio de Janeiro.

The breathtaking attempt of the two lovers to bridge that gap highlights the chasm between the two worlds and sheds a very emotional light on both the bright side of one of the most beautiful cities on this earth, as well as it's dark side with it's extraordinary tendency to violence, often fueled by the drug cartels which control large parts of the city.

Since I personally had the privilege to live close to the beach and enjoy many new friendships and the vibrancy of this magic place called Rio de Janeiro,  I often thought of the term "Beauty And The Beast"....

Maybe the fact that it is so fiercely passionate, makes it irresistible to me.

In the song BACK TO THE FAVLEA, I have attempted to let the energy of both sides flow - the exuberant and flamboyant side of Carnival, alongside the drastically different and bitter reality of living in the Favela. "BACK TO THE FAVELA". There is lightness and seriousness,  inseparably weaving together the incredible feel of being on the amazing sandy beaches and flying up the mountains (Morros), back to a tribal Samba Bateria in the Favela.

BACK TO THE FAVELA

Multi-Instrumentalist, Award-Winning Composer, Vocalist and Producer Stephan Oberhoff enjoys a very successful and multi-faceted career in Los Angeles, Ca., as performer and producer, composer, arranger, orchestrator, sound engineer, 
Very shortly after his arrival, which was initially only intended as a 1 year stay as a full time student at the Grove School Of Music, Stephan began collaborating with internationally acclaimed artists such as Brenda Russell, Burt Bacharach, Melissa Manchester, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil and numerous other iconic artists. 

Before his move to the US in 1991 Stephan garnered the coveted "GOLDEN LION" Award marking the #1 position of a high-ranking nationwide commercial success for BAHLSEN co. 

He also created (with the brilliant lyricist Evkathrin Pahnke) one of the longest running TV and radio commercials in the history of european TV and radio media: "MERCI DASS ES DICH GIBT" (Merci That There Is You) which was, during it's long run, chosen to be released as a single recording under his name, featuring Stephan's extraordinary abilities as a vocalist and composer.


His recently released Instrumental CD, "CONVERSATIONS WITH MY FATHER", emphasizes the compositional and instrumental skill and refined production background Stephan uses to showcase his extraordinary keyboard and guitar performances, which have been amply "road-tested", performing live with Melissa Manchester, Brenda Russell, Jeffrey Osborne, Doc Powell, Everette Harp and many other Jazz and R&B greats, as well as the stellar album "PARIS RAIN" co-produced by Brenda Russell and Stephan.
His current Love affair with Brazil is documented in the new release "APPLAUDING THE SUNSET" which is scheduled for release in Fall of 2015

Learn about JASON GOULD'S groundbreaking EP "JASON GOULD".
Track the story of the song "NATURE BOY" and it's journey from creation, the album release and how it ended up on stage with Barbra Streisand. (Coming soon)

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