Vinicius Cantuaria - Vinicius Canta Antonio Carlos Jobim (2015)

The music of Brazil has left a treasure trove of unparalleled compositional gems, none as beloved as the catalog of Antonio Carlos Jobim. A genius in utilizing the cool of jazz, the seductiveness of Brazil and the lyricism of a poet, Jobim has left a wake that has rocked the musical world with the spawning of the bossa nova movement.

All contemporary Brazilian musicians are indebted to Jobim so it is only natural that one of the most important Brazilian voices of the past three decades dedicate a recording in tribute. On Vinicius canta Antonio Carlos Jobim, the great vocalist/composer/guitarist Vinicius Cantuaria performs the work of Tom Jobim solo and, with the help of some truly amazing co-conspirators, including guitarist Bill Frisell, pianist/composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, vocalist and MPB legend Joyce and jazz-pop sensation Melody Gardot, much like Jobim did when composing the originals with his peers Vinicius de Moraes, Chico Buarque, Newton Mendonça, Dolores Duran and Aloysio de Oliveira.

Known for his expert songwriting, emotive vocals and fantastic instrumental technique, Cantuaria has led a successful career as a solo artist since the 1980s and as a collaborator of the utmost taste even longer, including work with Caetano Veloso, David Byrne, Bill Frisell, Arto Lindsay and Ryuichi Sakamoto.

The new recording Vinicius canta Antonio Carlos Jobim is a dedication to this hero of Brazilian music. Cantuaria takes on this classic material in the most personal way he could, performing most of the music himself, playing acoustic and electric guitars and percussion. The album was recorded in Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro, and provided an opportunity to reach out to a number of talented and musical friends, most notably Frisell, Sakamoto, Joyce, guitarist Chico Pinheiro and Melody Gardot.