Galo da Madrugada: Tradition, Evolution, and the Sound that Awakens Recife in Brazil

Por: @mashup.br

The trajectory of Galo da Madrugada is intrinsically linked to the evolution of frevo, an emblematic musical genre of Pernambuco’s Carnival in Brazil. More than just a carnival block, Galo has established itself as a true icon of Pernambuco's culture. Founded in 1978, it began as a modest group of revelers and, over the years, became the world’s largest carnival block, recognized by the Guinness Book. Today, at 47 years old, Galo reflects not only organizational transformations but also the very music it represents. Cisneiro Soares de Andrade, musician, ethnomusicologist, one of the founders of the block, and author of the book Galo da Madrugada: Changes in the 30 Years of the Club's Existence, offers us a privileged view into the club’s history, the evolution of frevo, and how these transformations are perceived in today’s landscape.

“The name of the block came from the tradition of morning gatherings in the São José neighborhood, where revelers would have coffee before heading out to the streets. The rooster symbolizes waking up the city with frevo,” explains Cisneiro.

Source: Veetmano Prem / Fotoarena

“The idea to create Galo da Madrugada emerged on January 24, 1978, at Rua Padre Floriano 43, in the São José neighborhood, with the goal of reviving the old Carnavals. A group of families from the neighborhood, concerned with the birthplace of frevo and traditions, decided to found the club. On Carnival Saturday, they masked up and paraded through the streets where they lived. It was on the Saturday of Zé-Pereira, on January 28, 1978, that they gathered a little more than 75 people, including musicians from the orchestra, for its first official parade.” – Excerpt from the book Galo da Madrugada: Changes in the 30 Years of the Club’s Existence.

THE BRAZILIAN FERVOR - LONG LIVE OUR FREVO!

The dance of frevo is recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. However, the name as we know it today emerged in 1906, during a period when the police began to ban the practice of capoeira. To escape police surveillance, capoeiristas started camouflaging their movements, creating choreography that, from a distance, seemed like a great effervescence or boiling, all derived from the word “ferver” (to boil).

Frevo also unfolds into other styles, including: Frevo de Rua – Energetic, purely instrumental. Frevo Canção – With lyrics that narrate the joy of the party and Pernambuco’s identity, this style paved the way for artists like Alceu Valença and Moraes Moreira to incorporate frevo into their music. Frevo de Bloco – More melodic and lyrical, often accompanied by string instruments, harkening back to old serenades and traditional lyrical blocks. Frevo Eletrizado – The meeting of frevo with modernity. Incorporated into the electric trios in the 1980s, it gained distorted guitars and synthesizers, making it more accessible to new generations.

The Sound Evolution of Frevo in Galo da Madrugada: From Orchestra to Electric Trio

In the early years, the parade was purely instrumental, led by traditional frevo orchestras. "At that time, it was much more organic. The musicians were in the midst of the crowd, playing without the mediation of electric trios. I also remember that the revelers seemed to have a much closer connection to the club and its musicians, perhaps because street Carnival was literally 'in the street,' not in the electric trios as it is today. We walked through the narrow streets of São José, where people squeezed onto sidewalks and alleys. Revelers showed the utmost care for the orchestra, which could not stop at any moment," recalls Cisneiro.

As the years went by, the exponential growth of the block required logistical and sonic adaptations. To accommodate the ever-growing crowd, the parade route was expanded, and in 1983, electric trios were incorporated. Leaving the narrow streets of São José, this change ensured that the music could reach the entire audience. Moreover, the transition brought significant advantages, such as preserving the musicians' energy and amplifying the sound.

Source: FUND AJ (c2008) & Book “Galo da Madrugada: Changes that have occurred in the 30 years of the Club's existence"

Cisneiro adds: "Frevo didn't get lost with the transition to electric trios; it was adapted to the new times, mainly due to space and sound power. Before, a large number of musicians was needed to ensure a strong sound mass to reach the crowd. With the introduction of electric trios and their amplified sound, this need diminished, reducing the number of musicians in the trios. Over time, Galo grew so much that it started attracting artists from outside the region, including names from the Southeast. I even remember when Chacrinha came to participate in the Galo Carnival. By this point, the block had already become a consolidated tradition in the Pernambuco Carnival calendar, and this popularity naturally altered the parade's configuration over the years."

Source: Pexels I Thiago Japyassu

However, this change also altered the instrumentation. If before the orchestras consisted of complete sections of brass and percussion, today, many trios work with reduced formations and electronic elements like guitars and plugged basses.

Despite these transformations, Cisneiro emphasizes that frevo remains the essence of Galo. "The repertoire of Galo da Madrugada remains essentially frevo, but its execution has evolved over the years. With the block’s growth and the introduction of electric trios, the instrumentation needed to adapt, incorporating guitars, basses, and keyboards to ensure the sound reached the entire crowd," he says. The blend of instruments and sound elements reflects not only structural changes of the block but also an adaptation to the new cultural and technological reality of Carnival.

Another point raised by the researcher is the importance of ethnomusicology in understanding these changes. "Research helps us understand how a cultural manifestation adapts over time without losing its identity," he highlights.

Source: FUND AJ (c2008) & Book “Galo da Madrugada: Changes that have occurred in the 30 years of the Club's existence"

The São José Neighborhood

Galo da Madrugada has a profound impact not only on music but also on the economy of the São José neighborhood in Recife during Carnival. Recognized as the birthplace of frevo, São José played a crucial role in the development of this musical genre, which solidified throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. During this time, the neighborhood was a vibrant meeting point for musicians and artists immersed in Pernambuco’s popular cultural manifestations.

Frevo, with its roots in African, Portuguese, and Indigenous influences, gained strength as a genuine expression of Pernambuco’s Carnival right there in São José. It was in this context that many of the first carnival blocks emerged, helping to shape frevo as we know it today.

Cultural and Social Impact

Today, Carnival drives the region's economy, bringing in investments and an intense commercial flow. However, a study conducted by Cisneiro Soares de Andrade with local residents reveals a recurring concern: the lack of continuity in improvements throughout the year, indicating that the positive impact of Galo is still not fully utilized outside the Carnival season.

Despite the lack of constant attention to the neighborhood that birthed the world’s largest carnival block, the relevance of Galo da Madrugada goes beyond Carnival. The institution maintains an active schedule of social and educational initiatives throughout the year, such as music workshops and frevo festivals, which play a crucial role in preserving the local culture and forming new generations of musicians and revelers. These initiatives ensure that frevo continues to thrive, paving the way for the tradition to remain alive and relevant.

Ethnomusicology plays a vital role in this process, analyzing the transformations of Galo da Madrugada and preserving the essential elements of the block’s identity. With over 30 years of change, Galo da Madrugada continues to resonate through the streets of Recife with its contagious energy. Whether in the historic alleys of São José or in the contemporary electric trios, one thing is certain: as long as there is Carnival, Galo will continue to sing.

Source: Pexels I Rafael Rodrigues

Por Rafaela Fornitani 8 de janeiro de 2025

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