On the Block with Chuk Barber
Playing drums since he was eleven years old, Chukinho has had sticks in his hands for over 40 years. A student of legendary jazz drummer, Hal Blaine, Chukinho was a grounding member in many garage bands in the early 60s. He founded the Virginia/North Carolina-based premiere jazz group \u201cHeroes\u201d in the late 70s. Moving to New Orleans in 1986, he co-founded \u201cCasa Samba,\u201d New Orleans\u2019 first Samba School. After many trips to Rio de Janeiro and Salvador, Bahia, to hone his skills, Chukinho was picked from a handful of non-Brazilian born \u201cbateristias\u201d to accompany the World Champion Brazilian Soccer Team on a world-tour as part of their Samba Band or \u201cBateria.\u201d \ufeffA student of legendary jazz drummer, Hal Blaine, Chuk Barber has had sticks in his hands for over 40 years. He's played with some of New Orleans greatest musicians and bands including: Dr. John, The Neville Brothers, Sun Ra, Michael Ray and the Cosmic Krewe, Anders Osbome, Big Al Carson, Kid Merv, Jand onas Risin. Since 1997, he has been the percussionist for the Platinum Recording group WAR, (aka the LowRider Band)\ufeff. He taught Brazilian Drum and Dance, Capoeira and, along with Baba Kenyatta Simon, created the Academy of African Culture at New Orleans Charter Middle School. Since moving to Portland, Chukinho, along with another New Orleans musician, Tom Sandahl, and 5 of Portland\u2019s finest, created the group Indigo, fusing Brazilian Bossa Nova with Jazz and funk. In 1997, Chukinho was called up to the \u201cBig Leagues\u201d to play alongside his musical heroes and is now a member of the 70\u2019s and 80\u2019s Funk/Soul Group WAR now called The Original Lowriders. Performing with The Lowrider Band He is a first time author and has written a wonderful story of strength and determination, entitled \u201cDear Xango.\u201d\ufeff In this conversation, we discuss how New Orleans changed for the worse after Katrina, how Gentrification in Portland continues to scrub the city of what little Black history and culture remains, and the importance of music in reclaiming identity for many young people of color.