Amaro Freitas piano

It is often forgotten that the piano is a percussion instrument. When you listen to Amaro Freitas, you immediately remember that. That’s what they wrote about this new star of Brazilian jazz, who has a Latin rhythmic foundation in his blood, head, hands and heart, as well as bursts of the most modern music.

Like so many greats before him, Amaro Freitas began playing piano at the age of twelve in church, an easy path to which his father led the church band. But very soon he surpassed his father in talent. Although he had the opportunity to study at the conservatory, the poor family he came from did not have the finances to support him there, so the young artist went straight into practice. He played in wedding bands and earned money where he could to pay for at least some music lessons. The turning point in his life came when he saw a Chick Corea concert DVD at the age of 15. “My mind completely exploded, I had never seen anything like that before, but it was immediately clear to me that this is what I wanted to do with the piano,” Amaro Freitas lets his voice be heard in hindsight. But since they didn’t have a piano at home, he arranged to go to a local bar that did have one to practice before the opening. He worked his way up to the professional level, becoming resident pianist at the legendary Mingus jazz club in his hometown of Recife.

Over time, he met other musicians, formed a trio and in 2016 released his first album Sangue Negro, which was a mix of styles – minimalism, bebop, afrojazz and samba met. The album garnered an enthusiastic response from critics and listeners alike, and the UK label Far Out Recordings responded by signing him to a deal for further collaborations. International tours to the United States, England and continental Europe followed. In 2019, Amaro Freitas was one of six musicians selected to participate in the Montreux Jazz Academy, and just a year later he was lucky enough to collaborate with one of the greatest Brazilian artists of all time, Milton Nascimento, on the collaborative EP Existe Amor, which also featured the famous Brazilian rapper Criolo. Then, in 2023, Amaro Frietas released a new album , Y’Y, a tribute to the Brazilian countryside, on which the pianist collaborated with, among others, the leader of the current progressive British jazz scene, Shabaka Hutchings. Amaro Freitas, then, is a star on a steep rise – and one day, we’ll certainly be glad to have had the opportunity to watch his rise at this stage.

When and how on sale?

You can buy the concert as a part of the of the subscription Jazz & World Music till the first concert of the series.
You can also purchase the concert separately or as a part of a special package called “TAILOR-MADE SEASON at any time during the season.

Enjoy listening to: 

Amaro Freitas www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2Wv225bjFg