By Gasper Crasto
If there’s one thing that differentiates Goans from other Indians, it’s the fact that music runs in our blood.
A wide variety of music is popular in Goa ranging from Western music to Indian classical.
While brass music looks to be fading away, many still consider it elite with only a few marginalizing it only with Konkani tiatrs which could be true.
Konkani music doesn’t go well without the trumpet. The music provided by the trumpet for intros and interludes of tiatrs still adds richness to any show.
The sound of trumpet played at musical shows by legends like Chris Perry, Maestro Josinho may have faded into eternity but their legacy, and the sweet music they created still lingers in our ears.
THE NEW SENSATION
Another trumpeter that falls into the top bracket of Goan musician is Senon de Souza who has been making waves in Goa for more than 15 years now.
The sensational trumpeter will be in Kuwait to play for Comedian Agostinho’s classic drama ‘PAST IS PAST’ to be staged at SIMS Auditorium on 26th July 2024.
Senon will team up with another fluent trumpeter Aidan Temudo, drummer Ivan, organist Frampton Framton D’Sa (Badshah), and Legend of Kuwait – base guitarist Denis Gonsalves.
The ace musician has travelled to UK and Dubai to perform for various Tiatrs, the trip to Kuwait will be his first.
SENON’S METEORING RISE
Senon Silvestre De Souza comes from the peaceful hamlet of Azossim-Mandur, Goa.
He was just in Class XI when he joined Kala Academy Music School to learn the trumpet under the guidance of Mestri Semy Braganza.
A postgraduate in Computer Applications (MCA), Senon has completed Grade 5 in Violin and Grade 5 in Theory from The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), London. He mastered music and now plays the trumpet, violin, and keyboards with equal ease and fluency.
Senon, who works as a computer science teacher revealed something interesting. He said, “If you don’t play the trumpet for even a month, you lose touch and need to start practicing again to get a grip.”
During Covid when there were no live shows, Senon entertained everyone online by creating YouTube videos with his music.
PART OF MEGA SHOWS
A member of a Jazz-funk band called ‘Reverse Gear’ and Mando group ‘Goenchim Kirnnam’, Senon has done most of his work with musician Cannon D’Souza and Maestro Norman Cardozo.
Till date, Senon has performed in over 150 tiatrs and arranged music for more than 50 tiatrs and 10 Konkani albums. He has been a music director for various musical shows and concerts throughout Goa.
Senon has been a part of the band for Herald Group’s ‘Goencho Avaz Singing Competition’.
He also arranged music and led a band for ‘Nightingale of Goa 2022’, and ‘Kor Kantar Taleigao 2022’.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
A recipient of TAG's Young Achievers' Award for the year 2022, he also won 8 Best Music prizes for Tiatr Competitions organized by Kala Academy, and 5 Best Music prizes for Tiatr Competitions organized by Tiatr Academy of Goa.
Senon has accompanied the Nightingale of Goa - Lorna at various events and shows, arranged music and accompanied artistes for live stage shows in Goa, Mumbai, Delhi, Mangalore, etc.
He has featured on MTV's ‘Sound Trippin season 3’ along with world-renowned Fado singer Sonia Sirsat and also performed for her in several Tiatrs in Goa, Mumbai, Mangalore and Delhi.