Jan 21, 2025 7:54 PM
Southern California Fires Hit the Jazz Community
Roy McCurdy and his wife had just finished eating dinner and were relaxing over coffee in their Altadena home, when he…
Drummer Hugo Medeiros (left), pianist Amaro Freitas and bassist Jean Elton perform on Rasif, which is due out Oct. 19.
(Photo: Courtesy Far Out)The rhythmic complexity of Amaro Freitas’ trio is dizzying.
After the Brazilian pianist’s talents were showcased working with his father in a church band, Freitas spent some time at Conservatório Pernambucano de Música. His stint there, though, was cut short because of a financial shortfall. It didn’t stop Freitas from figuring out how to find time to sit down at a keyboard—imaginary or otherwise—and learn the instrument.
His second leader date, Rasif (Far Out), features the performances of a bandleader who clearly got what he needed out of his truncated stay at conservatory, while incorporating a wealth of rhythms from Brazil and the influence of Chick Corea. Freitas is joined by bassist Jean Elton and drummer Hugo Medeiros on the recording, which is due out Oct. 19. Below is the debut of “Trupé,” the second track on the upcoming album.
“This song is a tribute to the Samba de Coco Trupé, a musical style and dance, which arises through the beat of the feet, while wearing wooden clogs, accompanied by percussive instruments,” the pianist said. “The style was created by Lula Calixto in Arcoverde, located in the Moxotó/Pernambuco region. In this composition, the piano works as a percussive element in an attempt to develop a melodic rhythm, inspired by the rhythm of the dance in the Trupé style.”
For more information about Freitas and his band, visit the Far Out homepage. DB
Gerald and John Clayton at the family home in Altadena during a photo shoot for the June 2022 cover of DownBeat. The house was lost during the Los Angeles fires.
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