Remembering Brazilian pianist/composer João Donato on his birthday

Raising a glass to the amazing João Donato with some interview and performance footage worth checking. 

Nicola Conte updates João Donato's "Naquela Base" on new single

Along with a version of João Donato's "Naquela Base," Nicola cut a new tune inspired by Glauber Rocha's film Terre Em Transe. 

Here's the scoop...

Fresh from the recording sessions of his new album due for release in early 2027, Nicola Conte has blessed us with a spectacular double A side 7” for this year’s Record Store Day. The A-side is a new original composition "Terra Em Transe" inspired by Glauber Rocha's Brazilian cinema novo classic Terre Em Transe (Entranced Earth) from 1967 (watch it below) while the flipside features a live-in-the-studio update of João Donato's hard bossa gem "Naquela Base" (listen below) which originally appeared on the 1962 album Muito À Vontade which everyone should own. Limited to 1000 copies, these have been moving fast, but if there’s any left by May 15th, they’ll be available from the Far Out website and Bandcamp. Nicola discusses the new single following the credits. 

Credits:

TERRA EM TRANSE (Nicola Conte / Magnus Lindgren)

Magnu Lindgren - flutes, hammond organ & vocals

Domenico Sanna - piano

Nicola Conte - guitar

Ameen Saleem - bass

Teppo Makynen -drums

Gabriel Prado - percussions & vocals

NAQUELA BASE (João Donato)

Gaetano Partipilo - alto sax

Pietro Lussu - piano

Nicola Conte - guitar

Ameen Saleem - double bass

Teppo Makynen - drums

Abdissa Assefa - congas

 

The strange story of Brazilian piano marvel Tenório Jr. explored in animated film

Fernando Trueba's They Shot The Piano Player – feat. the voice of Jeff Goldblum – is a stylish music doc turned murder mystery. 

LINKS

Latin Jazz Net Spanish director Fernando Trueba talks about his new film They Shot The Piano Player

Above The Line They Shot The Piano Player co-director Fernando Trueba on exploring a mystery within the South American music scene 

The Wrap Magazine How 'They Shot The Piano Player' made the journey from "stupid idea" to Oscar contender

Animation Scoop Discovering 'They Shot The Piano Player'

R.I.P. Brazilian pianist/composer João Donato, 1934-2023

Sadly, Brazilian pianist/composer João Donato has passed away in Rio de Janeiro at the age of 88. He'll be greatly missed.

LINKS

JazzWax Marc Myers remembers João Donato

Happy Birthday João Donato & Ed Motta!

Since João Donato and Ed Motta share a birthday today, here's their collaboration on Cal Tjader's Black Orchid.