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Dears,
On the second of July, 2007, Ambosio D'Souza was transported in to eternity
amidst the choirs of heaven. His brothers-in-music here on Earth were there to
bid him adieu at Guirim-Sangolda boundary.
Ambrosio's music was a favourite with my family since I was 'knee-high to a
grasshopper' as the Western saying goes. He played the Sax at our home for my
father who, as a fresh graduate from St.Xavier's College-Mumbai, taught
Ambrosio for his matriculation [SSC] at Mapusa, most probably at the Desai High
School [now renamed as Mantravadi HS via the Mapusa HS route], then located in
Khorlim-Mapusa.
As part of the then famous JOHNSON & HIS JOLLY BOYS band, Ambtrosio often
played for weddings at the Almeida residence, just across the compound wall
from my home. This place housed the Sacred hear High School that had a change
of management and a metamorphosis in 1946 to become the St.Britto HS. Till the
early 1970s, the Ameida residence was the biggest hall one could get to
celebrate with a large reception. We would all gather in the room closest to
the Almeida residence and listen to Ambrosio on the Sax and also occasionally
on the vocals.
When we had the MHAPSA FEST in 2004, Ambrosio and the MEXICANS were there to
entertain an entirely new generation near "Bougainville" the residence of the
founder of Sacred Heart School, Mapusa Branch, Valentino F.Pinto [better known
as a businessman]
Viva Goa.
Miguel
Joel D'Souza <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Soul of Sax Silenced
Singer-saxophonist Ambrosio passes away
The enchanting saxophone strains and the vibrant vocals of Goas oldest
active saxophonist Ambrosio de Souza, whose music touched the heartstrings of
every listener, were silenced for ever at 8 am on July 3. The quintessential
reedman played some of the sweetest music and sang mellifluously over six
decades plus.
Were it not for the persistence of my music teacher, Jack de Souza from
Mandrem, I would not have been flying on the wings of music, asserted the
exceedingly successful and amiable saxophonist Ambrosio de Souza, who played
the violin at village weddings and church feasts in Goas far north-west age
seven. At ten, Ambrosio blew alto sax, which then was longer that him. Music
was his passion and to perfect it an unquenchable thirst until his dying days.
The learning process accelerated when he came under the reassuring tutelage
of late Joao Fernandes Mestre, father of famed Konkani novelist-musician
Bonaventure DPietro, at the Vaidonger in Pernem, and later at Pequeno Chinvar
in Anjuna. In fact, Ambrosio was the sole survivor from Joaos once famed
pupils.
In 1947, Johnson Carvalho found me fit for his legendary Johnson and his
Jolly Boys. We combined extremely well, Ambrosio would say reflecting on their
15-year-old association of regaling aristocratic weddings throughout Goa.
The fair, slim and handsome reedman completed his matric at the age of 24
while with the Jolly Boys. By his great looks and talent, he mesmerised girls
at every wedding and dance, but it was only when his brothers brought along
Rosy Dias that he decided to make her his life-partner, who in course of time
bestowed him with three children.
Ambrosio also played with John Domnic DSouza from Mapusa. Subsequently, he
toured the UK with bandleader Agnel Dias regaling Goans wherever he traveled.
It was again Bahrain, Dubai, Abu Dabhi and Muscat with Tomazinho Cardozo and
his troupe.
When I broke the sad news of Ambrosios demise to Tomazinho, he exclaimed,
Ambrosio was not only a very talented saxophone player but very accommodative
and understanding person.
I was always excited about music, eager to learn, and Johnson was the one
from whom I learnt the most to perform well
He was the ideal band-leader, who
inspired me to play soft, sweet and tuneful sax, while Mickey Correia was the
one who taught me how to hold the saxophone, he told me in early October 2004.
It was at that interaction that Ambrosio blew for us snatches of his personal
favourites Jealous Heart, Smiling Faces, Secret Love, Sail along Silvery
Moon, Begin to Begin. The captivating vocals that once thrilled those who
listened to The Jolly Boys still lingered on in his music-wizened voice. The
consummate style for which the soft-spoken, ever smiling saxophonist was
adored, still continued, for he was then serenading guests at five-star
resorts, during the ultimate stint of his illustrious career.
At home Ambrosio was a hardworking rustic. He joined in gladly in paddy
cultivation, toddy tapping or went to pluck coconuts, axe firewood, de-juice
cashew apples for urrak and feni back in native Mandrem. Of course, he spent
the last lap of his life at Guirim in the midst of his contented family. It was
probably his cheerful nature which had helped him elude death more than once
surgery, snake-bite while his healthy chest surprised his doctor.
Eventually, it was a bout of malaria that did him in yesterday morning.
Recalling his long stint with music, Ambrosio would say, I remember clearly
every celebrated musician I played with down the years. I am the lone ranger
still alive and playing, from the once happy, grand lot. When I remember my
departed playing partners, I pray for their souls.
Ambrosios mortal remains will be laid to rest at St Diogos Church cemetery,
Guirim, in the evening (July 4) after a Eucharistic celebration at 3.30 pm. He
is survived by his wife Rosy, sons Rodney and Roland, and daughter Elizabeth
Gomes.
Joel DSouza
Joel D'Souza <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
(Gomantak Times, page 3, July 4, 2007)
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