Boca do Rio

Boca Do Rio emerged from San Francisco as a splinter project drawn from the seven-piece ensemble Vivendo de Pao. Its Portuguese name translates directly to “mouth of the river.” The band fuses Brazilian-rooted rhythms with jazz improvisation, binding the two traditions through fluid interplay. Kevin Welch serves as the central figure in both groups, handling vocals, guitar, and songwriting. After spending an extended period in Brazil during the early 1990s, Welch became deeply absorbed in the local samba tradition; upon his return to California he launched the samba-centered Vivendo de Pao, which later gave rise to Boca Do Rio. The lineup features Welch, performing under the stage name Gogo, on guitar and lead vocals, Jacob Elijah Aginsky—also a member of the Bay Area outfit Subnautic—on piano, Larry De La Cruz on saxophone, Jon Evans on bass, Dan Foltz on drums, backing vocalist Tika Morgan, and percussionist Alex Calatayud. In 2006 the group issued its self-titled debut on Vagabundo Records, the imprint Welch established himself.