Abrew’s Portuguese Instrumental Trio

Band (1920-1930) 

Between 1929 and 1935 some musical groups formed by Cape Verdeans recorded with Columbia Records in New York. The Abrew’s Portuguese Instrumental Trio was one of them. The others were the Johnny Perry’s Portuguese Criolo Trio and the Orchestra de Notias. They were probably the first Cape Verdean musicians to record in a studio. 

Some of the songs recorded at that time appear in the compilation Portuguese string music, that compiles recordings from the first decades of the 20^th century, held in the USA, including Portuguese and Brazilian bands. The compilation was organized by Richard K. Spottswood, a specialist in ethnic music discography produced in the US.  “Tango portuguez” (no information on the author) and “Cabo verdranos peça nove-polka” (by A. Abrew) constitute the participation of Abrew’s Portuguese Instrumental Trio in the compilation. 

According to Spottswood these recordings will have been made in 1931. Nowadays they are rarities.  

The band was led by Augusto Abreu, violinist from the Island of Fogo, born in 1897 and died in Sacramento (California) in 1958.  

Discography 

• Portuguese string music (compilation), CD, Interstate Music Ltd., West Sussex, RU, 1989.  
• In discs of 78 rpm, rhe following compositions were edited: Marcha do Golfo; Valsa continental; Tango portuguez; Masurka do meu pae; Abrew’s portuguese jazz; Polka dos amigos; portugueses; Morna di pobreza; Cabo verdranos pec̨a nove-polka.  
• Cabo verdranos pec̨a nove-polka appears in the compilation Folks, he sure do pull some bow! Vintage fiddle music 1927-1935; Blues, Jazz, Stomps, Shuffles & Rags; and Raw Fiddle. 

Listen to

“Marcha do golfo” can be heard at the website Excavatedshellac.com.