Reflexões sobre composição e improvisação na atuação de Léa Freire

Abstract

Boosting the growth of researches about women actuation, specifically, in the Brazilian Instrumental Popular Music (BIPM), the theme emerges with the motivation and search for the interdisciplinary debate over the trajectory of female musical career. It is noteworthy that musical performances in the realm of BIPM have been culturally guided by male experience (pre)dominance. It is an exploratory research with a qualitative approach. It is a case study with focus on Lea Freire and her music activities. Flautist, arranger and composer, born in São Paulo in 1957. Her studies cover a range of musical styles, involving European music, jazz and the diversity of Brazilian music. Working in São Paulo and neighboring cities, Léa Freire established a solid partnership with named musicians such as Joyce Moreno, Arismar do Espírito Santo, Filó Machado, Nelson Ayres, Hermeto Pascoal, Teco Cardoso, among others. Currently, with her own musical production company, called Maritaca, the composer launches besides her own production, the works of many Brazilian musicians. The study describes the trajectory of Lea Freire and historical aspects of Brazilian Instrumental Popular Music for an understanding of music as a concept and as sociocultural behavior, dialoguing with a feminist literature, not only in art, but also in Brazilian culture. The research aims to study about women’s role in the creation of instrumental music in the urban scene, as well as to analyze elements of composition and improvisation in Freire’s works. Data was gathered from public documents, interviews with her and analysis of her work. It is intended to encourage more studies about women musicians, exploring ways that problematize the path and construction of womens`s careers, models of production and musical visibility ruled by male experiences.