Global Investigative Journalism Conference (GIJC13)

Join us for some late night fun at a no-host party at Rio's Teatro Odisséia, where a blues bash will be played by GIJN's own all-journalist R&B band, The Muckrakers.

This will be the fourth Global Investigative Journalism Conference played by The Muckrakers, who came together at a boisterous jam in the basement bar of a Lillehammer, Norway, hotel in 2008. They have since played at GIJCs in Geneva and Kiev, and now they reunite in Rio -- backed by a Brazilian rhythm section. Come have a drink and dance as The Muckrakers steam through hits by the greatest names in R&B and soul: Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Martha Reeves, Elmore James, Wilson Picket, Junior Walker and more.

Drawn from four countries, The Muckrakers showcase the talents of three veteran musicians – a beautiful singer from Macedonia, a harmonica player from Chicago, and an American expatriate slide guitar player from Paris.

The Muckrakers are:

Ana Simonovska, vocals and rhythm guitar

Powerhouse singer Ana Simonovska’s musical skills were honed at the Conservatory and Faculty of Music Arts in her native Skopje, Macedonia. After graduation she played and recorded her own songs with a Macedonian rock band before going solo. After years as a TV journalist in Skopje, she now lives with her husband in Islamabad, Pakistan. 

Mark Lee Hunter, slide guitar and vocals
Ace guitarist Hunter has toured with Fontilla Timmons, studied with Bob Brozman, learned licks at the feet of John Lee Hooker, performed with musicians like the great Mexican guitarist Gil Gutierrez, and recorded with disco artist Kim Dorell and harmonica virtuoso Richard Hunter. Based in Paris, Hunter teaches journalism at INSEAD, one of the world’s leading business graduate schools.

Dave Kaplan, harmonica
Acclaimed harmonicist Dave Kaplan learned to play blues in his native Chicago. He’s spent over 30 years playing in blues, rock, and jazz bands. Known for blazing fast runs on the harp, Kaplan has performed worldwide. His work as an investigative journalist, meanwhile, has won more than 20 awards. Based in Washington, D.C., he now works as director of the Global Investigative Journalism Network. 

And our special guests: 

Igor Araujo, bass

Bruno Bade, drums
Drummer and architect Bruno Bade, 26, plays in the band Hover, an original music project. Prior to that, he played in many different styles, but mainly rock music. He is considered by many music producers the most talented drummer of his generation.

Peter Klein, keyboard
Peter studied music theory at the University of Miami, and learned from some of the top jazz pianists in America. Throughout the '90s he was a fixture in hotels and restaurants in Miami and Philadelphia, tossing in Thelonious Monk among sets of schmaltzy background music. He is a producer at 60 Minutes and director of the University of British Columbia Graduate School of Journalism.

Bruno Sponchiado, DJ
Journalist and broadcaster Bruno Sponchiado studied at UFRJ, works at TV Globo, producing articles and other stuff for local newscasts. Nowadays, he collects information about what happens in Rio metropolitan area. During his free time, he likes to write analysis about the Brazilian automotive market for websites.

Cláudio Julio Tognolli, guitar
Claudio Julio Tognolli has been a professional journalist and guitar player for 35 years. He graduated in composition with conductor Hans Joachimm Koellreutter. He is a founding director of Abraji and a member of ICIJ. He holds a PhD and teaches at the University of São Paulo. The author of nine books, he will next release a biography of Record Plant's engineer Roy Cicala --who's been Claudio's friend for 10 years. He's worked at Veja and Rolling Stone magazines, Folha de S.Paulo and Jornal da Tarde newspapers, CBN, Eldorado and Jovem Pan radios. 

Lucas von Seehausen, guitar
Lucas produces the TV show Globo Comunidade for TV Globo, which brings to discussion the main issues of Rio de Janeiro's metropolitan area. He also works at the local news TV show RJTV. Lucas plays guitar in the band Hover, an original music project. With Hover, he has performed in many venues throughout the State of Rio de Janeiro, and also in the main venues of the city's historic Lapa entertainment district. ...