Vibraphonist Nihco Gallo performing Brazilian Choro
Accompanied by Ayan Imai-Hall

The vibraphonist Nihco Gallo has established for himself a unique place in Southern Maine and New Hampshire music landscape, earning performance bona fides in concert halls, jazz clubs, dive bars, and on the sidewalk. Largely self-taught, Gallo incorporates broad and divergent influences into his playing and composition, from traditional jazz to Italian opera to mid-century minimalist music to Brazilian choro.

Raised in NH, Ayan began tap dancing in local dance studios as a child. His first company experience was at the age of 13 when Ayan joined the New England Tap Ensemble directed by Aaron Tolson. At the age of 17, Ayan began touring across North America with dance companies, Atlantic Steps, Tap Kids and Tapestry. In 2012 Ayan was awarded a Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grant by the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts with blues musician and educator, TJ Wheeler. Since working with Wheeler, Ayan has strived to perform throughout New England bringing the dance to the music and those who support it.

Choro (pronounced SHOH-roh) popularly known as "chorinho, is best described in American terms as "the New Orleans jazz of Brazil." It is a complex popular musical form based on improvisation, and like New Orleans jazz, blues, or ragtime, grew from a formalized musical structure and many worldly influences. Like samba, carnaval and futebol, it is a symbol of Brazilian national identity, and a unifying cultural force. Read more at: https://www.panoramas.pitt.edu/art-and-culture/early-history-choro-and-evolution-choro-player