Bennett Morgan & Associates, Ltd.

     
Trio da Paz
The Trio da Paz is one of the best known Brazilian jazz groups in the world. Consisting of guitarist Romero Lubambo, bassist Nilson Matta and drummer Duduka da Fonseca, the Trio da Paz continues to play a pivotal role in the further development of Brazilian jazz recordings, live performances and backing of a diverse range of artists from jazz to classical stars. Their third recording, Partido Out was cited by Mark Holston of Jazziz magazine as one of the top 10 recordings of 1998. The trio will be releasing their fourth album featuring Grammy winners Dianne Reeves and Joe Lovano in May of 2002.

In addition to the critical acclaim of Partido Out, the Trio's previous two recordings met with a lot of praise. Brazil From the Inside (Concord) features Herbie Mann and Joanne Brackeen among other musicians. Black Orpheus (Kokopelli) is a remake of the famed 1959 recording that introduced bossa nova to the world.

"Over three decades since modern Brazilian music captured our souls, it's heartening to find the legacy of the genre's original masters in so capable of hands. This is an instant masterpeice." --NY Latino

Romero Lubambo
Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1955, Romero Lubambo studied classical piano and music theory as a young boy. From the time he played his first notes on the guitar at age thirteen, he devoted himself to that instrument. Lubambo graduated from the Villa-Lobos School of Music in Rio in 1978, a top student of classical guitar. In 1980 he received a degree in mechanical engineering from the Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio de Janeiro.

The rhythms and melodies defining Brazilian music and American jazz fascinated Lubambo. He taught himself through intense research and practice, developing exceptional skill, versatility and fluency in both jazz and Brazilian idioms.

In 1985 he left Brazil for New York, where he worked for Astrud Gilberto for four years. Lubambo has since performed and recorded with many outstanding artists including Diane Reeves, Michael Brecker, Al Jarreau, Kathleen Battle, Herbie Mann, Ivan Lins, Flora Purim and Airto, Paquito D'Rivera, Harry Belafonte, Grover Washington Jr., Leny Andrade and Cesar Camargo Mariano.

"Guitarist Romero Lubambo may be the best practitioner of his craft in the world today...the guitarist's facility, creativity and energy are in a class all their own." --Jazziz

Nilson Matta
Nilson Matta has long been considered one of Brazil's best players. Since his arrival in New York in 1985, he has become the first call of many of the top US musicians. Nilson studied bass at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) with Sandrino Santoro, Brazil's premier classical bass player. While in Brazil he played with such artists as Joćo Gilberto, Hermeto Pascoal, MPB 4, Nivaldo Ornelas, Helio Delmiro, Leny Andrade, Nana Caymmi, Joćo Bosco, Chico Buarque, Johnny Alf, Luis Bonfa and others. In 1983 Nilson was invited to Japan to perform with Lisa Ono. Together they spent six months promoting Brazilian music. In 1984 along with drummer Pascoal Meireles, Nilson founded Cama de Gato--one of Brazil's top fusion bands.

In 1985 he moved to New York City. Since that time he has performed and recorded with such renowned artists as Joe Henderson, Gato Barbieri, Paquito D'Rivera, Slide Hampton, David Murray, Danilo Perez, Claudio Roditi, Dori Caymmi, Herbie Mann, Toots Thielmans, Randy Brecker and many others.

In 1990 he co-founded an extraordinary quintet--the African Brazilian Connection--with pianist Don Pullen. This quintet released three critically acclaimed CDs for Blue Note records: Kele Mou Bana, Ode Life and Live at the Montreux Festival. In 1992 Nilson returned to Brazil to record the CD The Magic with great composer and guitarist Luis Bonfa. Besides the Trio da Paz, Nilson has worked extensively with Joe Henderson recording on the award winning Joe Henderson Big Band. He has recently released an album with harmonica player Hendrik Meurkens on Malandro Records. Nilson is currently on staff at The Bass Collective in New York City, teaching alongside John Patitucci, Victor Wooten and Lincoln Goines.

"Nilson Matta is a powerhouse bass player." --Down Beat

Duduka da Fonseca
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Duduka began playing the drums at the age of twelve. By fifteen, he was appearing on television, performing with the top musicians in Brazil. In 1975 Duduka moved to New York where he established numerous Brazilian jazz groups. One of these groups, Brazilian Express, appeared on a national PBS television special. The New York Samba Band performed at the Blue Note, Fat Tuesday's and the Village Gate. The Brazilian Jazz All Stars featured artists Bob Mintzer, Eliane Elias and Randy Brecker.

Duduka has performed and recorded with such artists as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Astrud Gilberto, Herbie Mann, Claudio Roditi, Joanne Brackeen, Eddie Gomez, John Scofield, Joe Henderson, Gerry Mulligan, Jorge Dalto, Dom Salvador, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Lee Konitz, Phil Woods, Emily Remler, Nana Vasconcelos, New York Voices, Tom Harrel, Wayne Shorter and many others.

Since 1984, he has been a member of the faculty at the Drummer's Collective where he conducts workshops and gives private lessons. Duduka has also conducted workshops in Europe and Japan. He is the author of an instructional book and tape set entitled Brazilian Rhythms for Drumset, published by Manhattan Music/DCI.

"Duduka has worked with me, and I love the way he plays." --Antonio Carlos Jobim

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Bennett Morgan & Associates, Ltd. •  p:  845-227-6065  •  f:  845-227-4002  •  1022 Route 376, Wappingers Falls, New York, 12590, US