Combining the worlds of Brazilian music and jazz, in a chamber music
setting, these
three instrumentalists have produced a body of work that blends the
swinging
exuberance, virtuosity, and charm of Brazil’s varied rhythms, along
with
the country's
characteristic tender lyricism. Mix all this with the spontaneous
discoveries of Jazz
improvisation and you have a unique trio. The repertoire of original
compositions and
arrangements by Freire and Godoy covers the entire range of traditional
and modern
Brazilian genres.
Their 2019 CD is "Novos Caminhos"(New Paths).
Pianist Amilton Godoy, resident of São Paulo, is a major figure
in the
development of
Brazilian instrumental music. A classically-trained virtuoso, at an
early age he shifted
his focus to Brazilian Popular Music (MPB) and American Jazz.
In 1964,
at the age of
23, he formed the influential Zimbo Trio, one of the first groups to
combine these two
compatible genres. The group went on to make 51 recordings and tour in
40 countries,
and has also partnered with countless luminaries, from legendary singer
Elis Regina to
jazz giant Sonny Stitt.
Now in his seventies, Godoy still performs with
the enthusiastic
energy and joy of youth, combined with decades of hard-earned wisdom
and
experience. In addition to his active artistic career, in 1973 Godoy
founded the first
school to focus on these styles, the Centro Livre de Aprendizagem
Musical (CLAM),
which has nurtured generations of Brazilian musicians, including Léa
Freire.
Flutist (and pianist) Léa Freire began to study at CLAM at age
16, coming after 10
years of classical
piano. Although not then a student of Amilton Godoy, she always saw him
at the Zimbo
Trio's open rehearsals held at the school.
Many years later, she
invited Godoy to record
a solo CD of her innovative compositions, an invitation he readily
accepted. When it
came time to release the CD, Amilton suggested they do so as a duo, and
the new
formation was an instant success.
Freire has performed her original
music throughout
North and South America, as well as Europe, in various formats: duo
with Amilton, the
new San-São Trio with Amilton and Harvey, her quintet, and full
orchestra.
In 1997 she
created the Maritaca recording label, which has released more than 50
CDs by some of
Brazil’s major instrumentalists. In Brazil’s still machista society,
Freire has broken many
barriers and inspired countless Brazilian women to follow their
artistic visions.
Californian saxophonist/clarinetist Harvey Wainapel has toured
internationally with
Airto Moreira & Flora Purim, Joe Lovano, Ray Charles, and Jovino
Santos Neto, and
has presented his own work in 23 countries.
Since 2000, Harvey has
spent 1-2 months
per year in Brazil, researching, meeting and collaborating with great
musicians. These
encounters have led to recordings and performances with major figures
such as
Guinga, Paulo Bellinati, Nelson Ayres, Marco César, Filó Machado, and
Spok.
On Harvey’s very first day in Brazil, he met Léa Freire, and a deep
friendship developed
over the years. Many informal musical encounters followed. In 2017,
Godoy and Freire
invited Wainapel to join forces, leading to the trio touring in Brazil
and also the west
coast of the USA, as well as recording their new CD.
Harvey has appeared at Chez Hanny with Clarinet Thing, Lorca Hart, the
Harvey Wainapel/Phil Grenadier Group, and the Harvey Wainapel Quintet.