A short video biography

Thanks to all current and new subscribers to my Substack! Here is a short video biography of mine, in case you don’t know who I am:

I’d like to share a couple of samples of my music below:

This is the title track from my album Corrente (Current) from 2010.It features myself on Rhodes piano, Chuck Deardorf on bass, Mark Ivester on drums, Jeff Busch on percussion and Harvey Wainapel on alto sax. This groove is a xote, a bouncy rhythm that allows the musicians to play behind the beat. What do you think?

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Here is a piece I composed for solo piano, Choro De Inverno (Winter Choro) recorded in 2021 . If you are a paid subscriber of my Substack and would like to get a free copy of the score, just drop me a note below:

This is the title track of my most recent album, A Onça E O Pajé (The Jaguar and the Shaman), recorded live in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil with the Amazonas Band led by Rui Carvalho. This is my first release with a jazz orchestra, featuring my compositions and arrangements.

The Jaguar and The Shaman tells the story of an encounter between Uyú-Puyú-Yrá, an Amazonian shaman and a black jaguar, Yaguaretê-pixuna. The shaman hunts the jaguar to extract its shin bone and build a sacred flute, jacuí. The jaguar hunts the shaman to feed its young.

The musical narrative depicts both characters in their interactions.

The jaguar is represented by a swing groove and the shaman by an Afro-Brazilian batuque.

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Below, some upcoming gig announcements:

I am doing a mini-tour in North California later this month, with bassist Scott Thompson and drummer David Flores. See the dates above. Come by and say hi!

Also, my Seattle Quinteto is returning to Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley on May 19 and 20. This band is on fire and we have a wide repertoire to play for you. Jazz Alley is the premier jazz venue in Seattle. Get your tickets here.

Here you can hear an interview I did today with Iaan Hughes of KBCS radio. Look for the May 11 broadcast of Roots, Rock and Soul.

In June I will be bringing my music to Brazil. I will be at the Blue Note in São Paulo on June 23 with Pedro Gadelha on bass and Rodrigo Digão Braz on drums.

On June 25 I will be at the Blue Note in Rio with João Rafael Souza on bass and Marcio Bahia on drums.

I will be back later this week with another installment of my series 99 Hermeto Pascoal Stories. Stay tuned!

Thanks so much for your support of my musical work!

Obrigado,

Jovino