Amaro Freitas (BR)

“When he sat at the piano time stopped. He played and played, each note growing, birthing new possibilities, stories within stories. The range of execution and emotive dynamism left me full of light.” Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah

From the slums of Recife in Brazil’s North-East to international jazz icon, Amaro Freitas has worked tirelessly to become the artist he is today. Gaining international attention for “an approach to the keyboard so unique that it’s startling” (Downbeat), his debut and sophomore albums Sangue Negro (2016) and Rasif (2018) arrived on a wave of instant acclaim. His third album Sankofa (2021) – a spiritual quest into the forgotten stories, ancient philosophies and inspirational figures of Black Brazil – brought him worldwide recognition.

“Breathtaking stuff” Evening Standard

“In terms of both composition and improvisation, this is a totally gripping, vibrant and original synthesis of jazz and Brazilian music.” The Wire

“Freitas makes the keys dance and chatter, as if each note were ricocheting off all the others, taking on energy and momentum from the swarm around it” New York Times

“You can quite easily forget that piano is a percussion instrument, but when you hear the playing of Amaro Freitas it suddenly becomes very very clear” BBC Radio 6

Amaro Freitas’ much anticipated first solo album is set for release in March 2024.