Porto Seguro with Andrew Finn McGill

Porto Seguro, featuring special guest fiddler Andrew Finn McGill, will explore the roots of Brazilian jazz, including choro, samba, and bossa nova. This concert is the second in Porto's 2025/2026 series and will take place on Sunday, January 18, at 3:00 PM in Gage Hall.

Charleston-based Porto Seguro showcases Brazilian samba, bossa nova, and MPB, with Alva Anderson's soulful voice at its center. The band includes talented instrumentalists: Susan Conant on flute, John Holenko on mandolin, Tom Noren on guitar, John Kennedy on bass, and Bryce Waldron-Noren on drums. They will perform both popular Brazilian favorites and lesser-known gems that are sure to make your toes tap and your heart sing.

Andrew Finn McGill, based in Asheville, NC, has traveled the world mastering a variety of fiddle and violin styles. He began studying Celtic and American traditional genres at The Swannanoa Gathering, which his father founded in 1990. From 2014 to 2016, he lived in Rio de Janeiro, immersing himself in choro music and founding several Brazilian music groups, including the Brazilian Strings Trio and Canta, Violino!. An award-winning multi-genre instrumentalist and composer, McGill has been featured on PBS, NPR, and TEDx. He is a Fulbright fellow, a North Carolina Arts Council fellow, and a 2024 finalist for the prestigious Seifert Competition for jazz violin in Krakow, Poland. McGill is signed to Ropeadope Records, where he has released three albums and tours as a bandleader and sideman in various genres. He has performed with artists such as Rising Appalachia, Peter Mawanga, and Grammy nominees John Doyle and Trio Brasileiro.

Legendary Brazilian percussionist Airto Moreira (known for his work with Chick Corea and Miles Davis) praised McGill, saying, “It's nice to see fresh, young musicians carrying on the traditions of Brazilian music. Finn McGill displays a love and authenticity that can fool you into thinking he is from Brazil. His style is playful and light, yet soulful and passionate. Congratulations!”

Tickets are priced at $20 for adults and $10 for students under 21 and are available at City Paper Tickets and at the door. Cash, check, or Venmo payments are preferred. The concert lasts approximately one hour and will be held at Gage Hall, located at 4 Archdale Street in Charleston, SC.