Sunday April 3rd—reserve your tickets now.
by Matt D’Arcy
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HE’S BACK!
Ruben ‘El Pavoni’
And so, too, is rock ‘n’ roll as Vale da Telha braces itself for another great night of 50s rock ‘n’ roll/rockabilly music on Sunday April 3rd after the last show in January had a packed crowd dancing in the aisles…and on the tables!
One of the driving forces behind the fantastic entertainment that night at the Restaurante Vale da Telha was that ball of energy and force of nature Ruben “El Pavoni” on the double bass.
Ruben was the star of the show, throwing himself on the floor or leaping onto tables and chairs as he played that big bass with energy and expertise. And now you can see Ruben in action once again!
Vale Da Telha’s own Brian (DJ Rockindad) Jutsum really struck a chord when he staged that rock and roll party on the last day of January.
The place certainly rocked when nostalgia for the music most of us grew up with brought people flocking to the first genuine rock ‘n’ roll show ever to be staged in the area; a full-blooded rock show that made us all feel like teenagers once again!
AJ & The Rockin’ Trio ‘Howlin’ At The Moon’ CD
It was such a night to remember that, by public demand, DJ Rockindad has decided to do it all again, this time with another fantastic Lisbon band, A J and The Rockin’ Trio.
On that memorable night in January the band was the Wine-a-Billy Rollers; now, on April 3, AJ & the Rockin’ Trio, a classic Rockabilly quartet with voice, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass and drums provide the electrifying entertainment.
The big bonus is that bass player Ruben and that brilliant drummer Rui “Tex” Gomes play with both bands.
And they will be back with AJ & The Rockin’ Trio in what will be a real coup for Vale Da Telha as the band unveils its first CD, “Howlin’ At The Moon” on this short tour of Lisbon, Loule and Vale Da Telha.
After that AJ & the Rockin’ Trio will officially launch the CD in the largest and most prestigious European festival, the twentieth edition of “Rockabilly Rave” which is held in the UK in June.
So, the audience at this fantastic rockabilly party here on April 3rd are in for a real treat, among the first people to see and hear the band performing the songs on their debut disc.
So, make sure you book your tickets well in advance.
Don’t forget, a “House Full” 120 people—some from Portimao, Lagos and points south who had never before been to Vale da Telha—turned up for that last electrifying evening generated by musicians whose pure quality of music is matched by the sheer spectacle and vibrancy of the show they put on.
Tickets are €5 if bought from the Restaurante Vale Da Telha in advance, or €6 on the night—if there’s any room left to squeeze in!
The doors open at 7.30pm, with music from DJ Rockindad Brian Jutsum from 8pm before the band starts kickin’ up a storm from 9pm.
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A J & the Rockin’ Trio was formed on June 12, 2014 when the four old friends played an impromptu Saturday afternoon rockabilly jam session at the Aloha Coffee Bar Lisbon.
The quartet created a show “Johnny Cash & the Rockabilly Favourites” which became a big hit on the Lisbon area bar and club circuit.
Band Members
André Joaquim, vocals and guitar.
André Joaquim
He was born in Lisbon in 1974, the year of the revolution, and began studying at the “Academy of Amateur Musicians” for six years, following his studies at the “Gregorian Institute of Lisbon”. He discovered Punk and rock ‘n’ roll in his early teens.
Founder and mentor of the band Surf / Garage band, Dr. Frankenstein, André was producer / guitarist / bassist and drummer of bands like Texabilly Rockets, Captain Phantom, SupraHeat Surrenders, The Levities, Phantom Vision among others.
He has been a leading figure on the Rockabilly / Rock ‘n’ Roll scene for 10 years as a guitarist / composer / producer of the Texabilly Rockets, one the first Portuguese Rockabilly Bands.
Celso Ladeira, guitar:
Celso Ladeira on guitar
He was born in Angola in 1966, and developed a love of music very early, because his father played the piano, and had a vast collection of 5,000 records!
At the age of 9 he first heard Bill Haley & His Comets, which triggered his passion for rock ‘n’ roll and the guitar. He also studied classical viola at the Conservatory.
He lists his major influences as Scotty Moore, James Burton, Cliff Gallup, Chuck Berry, and Brian Setzer.
In 1984 Celso joined the Rollover & His Beethovens band and, in Brazil, played with several Rockabilly bands, including Cafajets and Drive-ins.
From 1998 to 2002 he was a member of the Texabilly Rockers before occasionally playing with Desso Blues Gang up to 2014, then Los Roques before becoming a founder-member of AJ & The Rockin’ Trio.
Ruben “El Pavoni”, double bass:
Ruben ‘El Pavoni’
Born in Lisbon in 1980, Ruben is a “Bluesman” who was born and raised in the world of Blues. He started playing drums at the age of 8, but when he was 13 he discovered the electric bass and harmonica.
He has been a musician with bands like Gang Desso Blues and Blues Fever Band, and has played with Glenn Kaiser (US), Alvin Johnson (US), Fred Barreto Group (LUX), among others, and played harmonica on the Texabilly Rockets’ last three albums.
Ruben began playing bass with Sara & The Hot Chillies, and currently plays with the Wine-a-Billy Rollers as well as AJ & The Rockin’ Trio.
Rui “Tex” Gomes, drums:
Born in Lisbon in 1971, from an early age he was introduced to rock ‘n’ roll by his father who was a big fan of Bill Haley & His Comets.
He has been connected to the Rockabilly scene since his early teens and was a founding member and drummer of Texabilly Rockers from 1993 to 2002.
He also played with Sara & The Hot Chillies, and currently plays with the Wine-a-Billy Rollers as well as AJ & The Rockin’ Trio.
Useful links to see the band in action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTvFPZSjRyI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcbT_im8omE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLIo2mr8Sjk
Members and non-members welcome
