The Best of Brazil

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Welcome to The Best of Brazil! We've added a new recommended album to our Beyond Brazil section. It's Salsa de la Bahia, Vol. 3: Renegade Queens, a double album featuring various musicians from the San Francisco Bay area. We have the details and a sample track. That section now features 312 albums we recommend from the world of music beyond Brazil, nearly all with sample tracks. Recent additions include the eponymous album De Pavel a Pavel; Steve Allee Big Band's Naptown Sound; Marcus McLaurine's Tributes: A Life Celebration; and Alan Chaubert's Just the Three of Us. At the top of our New Releases section is Bossa Nova Noites I: Bahia Nights by Bossa Nova Noites. We have complete information and a sample track. That section features 196 Brazilian music albums — all with sample tracks. Recent additions include Água e Sol by Laura Dreyer and the Manhattan-Rio Connection; Mafalda Minnozzi's Riofonic with special guest Roberto Menescal; Christmastime in Rio by Romero Lubambo and Pamela Driggs; and Cliff Korman Trio's Urban Tracks. Our 33-minute feature on Live at JazzBaltica by Trio da Paz and Joe Locke, originally broadcast June 25, 2008, is the latest addition to our Audio Archives section. We also added our memorial tribute to Dorival Caymmi, broadcast August 27, 2008, eleven days after his death. When you visit the Archives, you can listen to extended features on 219 Brazilian albums, features on 38 Beyond Brazil albums, interviews, tributes to musicians and composers, and much more. Thanks for checking out this website. We hope you'll spend a few minutes exploring our features, listening to some sample tracks, and digging into our archives (you can always return to this page by clicking on our logo at the top of every page). As always, if you like what you find here, please tell your friends about it. Thanks!

Ukraine Flag.
Stand with Ukraine

April 5, 2019 – Daniela Soledade is a new and compelling voice on the Brazilian musical landscape, one both
So Nice (Summer Samba).
fresh on the ears and blessed with authentically deep roots. Her family line includes her father Paulinho, an artist-producer whose résumé includes work with Ivan Lins and Gilberto Gil, and her grandfather Paulo, a composer during the pioneering phase of bossa nova. “I grew up in Rio,” Daniela explains, “in a family of musicians... Read more

Here are earlier sneak previews of new albums by:
Fato
Hamilton de Holanda & Yamandú Costa
Jon Gold
André Vasconcellos
Joe Carter
Pascalito
Luiz Simas
Harvey Wainapel

June 22, 2019 – GUAI is a sensational singer emerging on the Brazilian music scene.
GUAI.
GUAI

Her debut album, Dama de Paus (Queen of Clubs), originally released in 2017, is superb. We're not alone in that assessment. Music legends Roberto Menescal, Carlos Lyra, Ivan Lins, and Nelson Faria have all praised it. Lins said, “No doubt it is a super album. GUAI is an outstanding singer.” Faria said, “When I listened to your album, I fell for it... It's a masterful production with great sound, and it swings like crazy... Read more

Here are two more Discovery Artists:
Rodrigo Garcia Lopes
Rubens Figueiredo

Interview with Karrin Allyson
June 2, 2024A Kiss for Brazil, the
A Kiss for Brazil.
new Brazilian album by jazz singer Karrin Allyson, was released May 17 on Origin Records. The five-time GRAMMY® nominee is joined by special guest Rosa Passos with Rafael Barata on drums, Vítor Gonçalves on piano and accordion, Yotam Silberstein on guitar, and Harvie S on bass. We talked with Karrin about her new album... Read more

Here are other special features:
Remembering Sérgio Augusto
Incredible gift from the Brazilian Guitar Quartet
Remembering Tom Jobim
Interview with Antonio Adolfo
The story of “Mas que Nada”
Paula Morelenbaum interview
BOSSAlibre

Artist Profiles are biographical sketches of Brazilian musicians and composers—and other artists noted for performing Brazilian music. They are listed in alphabetical order by first name. Click on a name to read a profile. Read more

 Birthdays
Mar. 17, 1930 – Paul Horn
Mar. 17, 1945 – Elis Regina
Mar. 18, 1951 – Bill Frisell
Mar. 18, 1964 – Paul Galbraith
Mar. 19, 1911 – Assis Valente
Mar. 19, 1960 – Eliane Elias
Mar. 22, 1942 – Jorge Ben Jor
Mar. 27, 1924 – Sarah Vaughan
Mar. 27, 1952 – Carlinhos Vergueiro
Mar. 27, 1960 – Renato Russo
Mar. 28, 1935 – Hermínio Bello de Carvalho
Mar. 28, 1956 – Zizi Possi
Mar. 29, 1907 – João de Barro
Mar. 29, 1940 – Astrud Gilberto
Mar. 29, 1949 – Michael Brecker
Mar. 30, 1976 – Hamilton de Holanda
Mar. 31, 1951 – Duduka Da Fonseca
Apr. 1, 1902 – Moreira da Silva
Apr. 1, 1956 – Zé Renato
Apr. 4, 1958 – Cazuza
Apr. 5, 1934 – Stanley Turrentine
Apr. 6, 1927 – Gerry Mulligan
Apr. 6, 1937 – Gene Bertoncini
Apr. 6, 1960 – John Pizzarelli
Apr. 8, 1943 – Chico Batera
Apr. 12, 1940 – Herbie Hancock
Apr. 13, 1914 – Dona Ivone Lara
Apr. 13, 1952 – Rosa Passos
Apr. 14, 1924 – Shorty Rogers
Apr. 15, 1978 – Philippe Baden Powell
Apr. 16, 1930 – Herbie Mann
Apr. 16, 1943 – Sebastião Tapajós
Apr. 19, 1941 – Roberto Carlos
Apr. 21, 1946 – Gilson Peranzzetta
Apr. 23, 1897 – Pixinguinha
Apr. 23, 1918 – Geraldo Pereira
Apr. 24, 1937 – Joe Henderson
Apr. 25, 1910 – Custódio Mesquita
Apr. 25, 1917 – Ella Fitzgerald
Apr. 27, 1930 – Claus Ogerman
Apr. 28, 1949 – Paulo César Pinheiro
Apr. 28, 1965 – Ithamara Koorax
Apr. 29, 1899 – Duke Ellington
Apr. 29, 1922 – Toots Thielemans
Apr. 29, 1941 – Nana Caymmi
Apr. 29, 1951 – Vinicius Cantuária
Apr. 30, 1914 – Dorival Caymmi
May 1, 1934 – Shirley Horn
May 2, 1909 – Ataulfo Alves
May 4, 1937 – Ron Carter
May 4, 1953 – Lulu Santos
May 4, 1961 – Herbert Vianna
May 5, 1917 – Dalva de Oliveira
May 5, 1918 – Dino Sete Cordas
May 5, 1946 – Beth Carvalho
May 6, 1958 – Fátima Guedes
May 7, 1893 – Orestes Barbosa
May 9, 1948 – Tania Maria
May 10, 1964 – Keco Brandão
May 11, 1936 – Carlos Lyra
May 12, 1913 – Jamelão
May 12, 1932 – Walter Wanderley
May 12, 1966 – Bebel Gilberto
May 15, 1940 – Oscar Castro-Neves

Bossa Nova Noites, Bossa Nova Noites I: Bahia Nights
Bossa Nova Noites I: Bahia Nights CD cover.
Tracks
01 – Black sailors (“The passage”)
02 – Respect yourself
03 – Push me away
04 – Give me your love
05 – Something's got a hold on me
06 – Never say goodbye
07 – That's the way of the world
08 – What color is love
09 – Little feet
10 – Cry for help
11 – Back to black
12 – Nothing on you
13 – When we were young
14 – Vocalscape
15 – Bahia nights
16 – Tudo o que você podia ser
17 – Gift of heart (Christmas in Rio)
18 – Dayo
19 – Brazilica
20 – Happiness (A felicidade)

Bonus single
21 – Broken promises

Read more

Laura Dreyer and the Manhattan-Rio Connection, Água e Sol
Água e Sol CD cover.
Tracks
01 – Água e Sol
02 – Inocência
03 – Viagem para Dakar
04 – Verão do nosso amor
05 – Dancing through time
06 – Dolphin dreamscape
07 – Samba da esperança
08 – O macaco azul
Read more





Mafalda Minnozzi, Riofonic
Riofonic CD cover.
Tracks
01 – Rio
02 – Corcovado
03 – Só danço samba
04 – Café South American style
05 – Eu e a brisa
06 – O barquinho
07 – Telefone
08 – Tu si 'na cosa grande
09 – Você
10 – Postcard from Rio
11 – The gentle rain
12 – Garota de Ipanema
13 – Se é tarde me perdoa
14 – Água de beber
Read more

Romero Lubambo & Pamela Driggs, Christmastime in Rio
Christmastime in Rio CD cover.
Tracks
01 – Have yourself a merry little Christmas
02 – I'll be home for Christmas
03 – Holiday of love
04 – Christmas love song
05 – Silent night
06 – Presente de Natal
07 – Winter reverie
08 – The Christmas song
09 – Santa Claus is coming to town
10 – White Christmas
11 – Jingle bells
12 – Toyland
Read more

Cliff Korman Trio, Urban Tracks
Urban Tracks CD cover.
Tracks
01 – Cheio de malícia
02 – Manhã de carnaval
03 – All the things you are
04 – Canhoto
05 – Whisper not
06 – Fall
07 – Francisca
08 – Trilhos urbanos
09 – Saudade do Paulo
Read more



Carol Saboya, Outro Tom: Canções de Antonio Adolfo
Outro Tom CD cover.
Tracks
01 – Outro tom
02 – Até que venha o amor
03 – Silêncio da aldeia
04 – Carola/Acalanto
05 – Aonde você vai
06 – Deixa a fonte despejar
07 – Por que é que você se esconde?
08 – A cada dia que passa
09 – Já é hora
10 – Alegria de carnaval
Read more



Plus...
Enrico Granafei, It's Hard to Say Goodbye
Livio Almeida, Brasília Sessions
Paula Maya, Rio de Janeiro
Antonio Adolfo, Love Cole Porter
Bruna Black and John Finbury, Vã Revelação
Karrin Allyson, A Kiss for Brazil
Cliff Korman, Bossas & Ballads
José Gobbo Trio, Current
Sarah McKenzie, Without You
Luiz Millan, Brazilian Match
Diego Figueiredo, My World
Ted Falcon, Tô Chegando
Antonio Adolfo, Bossa 65: Celebrating Carlos Lyra and Roberto Menescal
Ben Sher, Samba for Tarsila
Scott Mayo, Meu Brasil
Duduka Da Fonseca & Quarteto Universal, Yes!!!
Lívia Nestrovski & Henrique Eisenmann, Nação
Clarissa Bruns, Tua Pele
Nate Najar, Jazz Samba Pra Sempre
Daniela Soledade, Pretty World
Cliff Korman, Brasilified
Antonio Adolfo, Octet and Originals
João Luiz, From Spain to São Paulo
Hendrik Meurkens/The WDR Big Band, Samba Jazz Odyssey
Rique Pantoja, Live in Los Angeles
Natalie Cressman & Ian Faquini, Auburn Whisper
Katherine Farnham, Alquimia
Sergio Pereira, Finesse
Danilo Brito & João Luiz, Esquina de São Paulo
Lee Hutchinson & Matheus Fonseca, Brazilian Beat
Marcos Ariel, Piano Blossoms
Antonio Adolfo, Jobim Forever
Carlos Barbosa-Lima & Johannes Tonio Kreusch, Manisero
Karuna Shinsho, To Love Again
GUAI, Capitania
JOMORO, Blue Marble Sky
Diego Figueiredo, Antarctica
Zoe Scott, Shades of Love
The Brazilian Trio, Águas Brasileiras
Diego Figueiredo, Compilation
Antonio Adolfo, BruMa: Celebrating Milton Nascimento
Fato, Claro_Movimento
Daniel Silva, Minas Under Traffic
Albare, Albare Plays Jobim
Miguel de León, Malandro
Daniela Soledade, A Moment of You
Masha Campagne, Like Water, Like Air
Antonio Adolfo, Samba Jazz Alley
GUAI, Dama de Paus
Benji Kaplan & Rita Figueiredo, Benji & Rita
John Finbury and Thalma de Freitas, Sorte!
Carlos Barbosa-Lima, Delicado
Ken Peplowski and Diego Figueiredo, Amizade
Quaternaglia Guitar Quartet, Four
Duo Violão + 1, História do Choro
Natalie Cressman & Ian Faquini, Setting Rays of Summer
Mark Morganelli & the Jazz Forum All-Stars, Brasil!
Choro de Lá pra Cá, Choro de Lá pra Cá
Fato, Próximo: Grupo Fato Ao Vivo + Convidados
Roger Davidson Quartet, Music from the Heart
Dee Bell, Lins, Lennox, & Life
Coelho & Ridnell, Sunny Day
Abelita Mateus, Mixed Feelings
Antonio Arnedo, Benjamim Taubkin, João Taubkin, Sérgio Reze, Fronteiras Imaginárias
Daniel Santiago, Union
Antonio Adolfo, Encontros – Orquestra Atlantica
Duduka Da Fonseca Trio, Duduka Da Fonseca Trio Plays Dom Salvador
Alexandra Jackson, Legacy & Alchemy
Daniel Santiago & Pedro Martins, Simbiose
Luiz Simas, Transparências
Mario Adnet & Paulo Jobim, Jobim: Orchestra & Guests
Hamilton de Holanda Quintet, Casa de Bituca: The Music of Milton Nascimento
Roger Davidson Trio with Hendrik Meurkens, Oração para Amanhã
Paulinho Garcia, How Do You Keep the Music Playing?
Antonio Adolfo, HYBRIDO – From Rio to Wayne Shorter
Sandy Cressman, Entre Amigos
Ricardo Silveira & John Leftwich, Cosmos
Clarice & Sergio Assad, Relíquia
Carla Hassett, +Blue
Marcos Amorim, Sea of Tranquility
Brazzamerica, Brazzamerica
Ricardo Bacelar, Concerto para Moviola/ Ao Vivo
Mark Isbell, Encontro
Renato Braz, saudade
Antonio Adolfo, Tropical Infinito
Carol Saboya, Carolina
Eduardo Belloni, Back to the Beginning
Cristina Braga & Brandenburger Symphoniker, Whisper
Paulinho Garcia & Friends, Aquarela
Daniela Mercury, Virtual Vinyl
Trio da Paz, 30
Various, Piano in the House

Here are 99 more New Releases from 2011 to 2015. Click on a title to read about the album and listen to a sample track... Read more


The Brazilian Music Foundation will present a concert in tribute to the legendary composer Camargo Guarnieri,
Camargo Guarnieri Tribute.
April 25, 8:00 pm, at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theater at Symphony Space, 250 West 95th St, New York City. The concert features violinist Tânia Camargo Guarnieri and pianist Max Barros performing the Violin Sonatas Nos. 4, 5, and 6 by the celebrated Brazilian composer. This event is a rare and significant tribute to one of Brazil's most important musical voices, bringing together two artists deeply connected to his legacy. As the composer's daughter, Tânia Camargo Guarnieri carries an intimate, personal understanding of her father's music, while Max Barros, renowned... Read more

The Sons of Brasil will perform April 27, 6:00-8:30 pm, at Westport Coffee House,
The Sons of Brasil.
The Sons of Brasil
4010 Pennsylvania Ave, Kansas City, MO. There's a $10 cover. Members of the band are Stan Kessler (trumpet and flugelhorn), Roger Wilder (piano), Greg Whitfield (bass), Doug Auwarter (drums), and Gary Helm (percussion). The band's website is www.thesonsofbrasil.com.

Brazilian musician Luiz Simas has released his new song and music video honoring the indigenous peoples
Canção dos Povos Originários.
Canção dos Povos Originários
of Brazil. “Canção dos Povos Originários” (Song for the Original Peoples) was recorded in New York, Rio de Janeiro, and Porto Alegre, with Simas on piano, vocals and keyboards, Carlos Malta on flute, Julia Haughton on vocals, and Paulo Roberto Brandão on additional... Read more

Seven-time GRAMMY®-winning saxophonist Paul Winter and Brazilian pianist Henrique Eisenmann have released their performance of three
Paul Winter and Henrique Eisenmann.
Paul Winter and Henrique Eisenmann
Photo: Matthew Muise
new compositions, Three Orcas Island Songs, from their recent concert on Orcas Island, Washington. “Lamento de Aioca” is named for the Goddess of the Waters in the Yoruba tradition of the people in the Northeast of Brazil. “Pina” is a song by Henrique inspired by and dedicated to legendary choreographer... Read more

Here are 312 albums we recommend from the world of music beyond Brazil: Various, Salsa de la Bahia, Vol. 3: Renegade Queens; De Pavel a Pavel, De Pavel a Pavel; Steve Allee Big Band, Naptown Sound;
Salsa de la Bahia, Vol. 3: Renegade Queens CD cover.
De Pavel a Pavel CD cover.
Naptown Sound CD cover.
Marcus McLaurine, Tributes: A Life Celebration; Alan Chaubert, Just the Three of Us; La Banda Ramirez, Lizzie's Lounge; Liz Cole, I Want to Be Happy; Dave Stryker, Stryker with Strings Goes to the Movies; Brent Laidler, Hidden Gems; Benjie Porecki, All that Matters; Noel Okimoto, Hō'ihi; Entre Amigos, Entre Amigos; Joe Syrian Motor City Jazz Octet, Secret Message; Steve Allee, Zebra Stories; University of Nevada, Las Vegas Jazz Ensemble 1, Let the Good Times Roll; Music Soup Organ Trio, Upbeat Mood; Gunhild Carling Big Band, Jazz is My Lifestyle!; Maria Schafer, Here for You; Pony Boy All-Star Big Band, This is Now; Gino Amato, Latin Crossroads; Hyeseon Hong Jazz Orchestra, Things Will Pass; Alexis Cole and the Taipei Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Republic: Taiwan, the United States, and the Freedom of Swing; Natalie Jacob, Sooner or Later; Brian Landrus, Brian Landrus Plays Ellington & Strayhorn... Read details and hear sample tracks

NEWLY ARCHIVED FEATURE
Randy Morse produced and hosted the weekly radio program The Best of Brazil from 1999 through 2010. Many of the features from the program are archived here, organized by category and broadcast date... Read more

Here are links to the websites of 318 bands and musicians, listed in alphabetical order by first name.
Read more

Here are links to the websites of 106 record labels, listed in alphabetical order.
Read more

 Contact