An Evening of a Fusion of Cultural Rhythms, featuring special guests at NJPAC’s Horizon Sounds of the City

Newark, June 21^st, 2024 – On July 11th, as part of the Horizon Sounds of the City series, renowned percussionist Cyro Baptista will dazzle audiences in a free outdoor concert at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark. Known for his innovative sounds and captivating rhythms, Baptista’s performance promises to be an unforgettable evening of world music and jazz fusion.

Brazilian percussionist and composer Cyro Baptista has carved a niche for himself in contemporary jazz, experimental, and world music, spanning a wide range of styles. His collaborations with artists such as Herbie Hancock, Paul Simon, Yo-Yo Ma, John Zorn, Wynton Marsalis, and Brazilian legends Milton Nascimento and Caetano Veloso have cemented his reputation as one of the foremost percussionists globally.

In his latest project, CHAMA, released on the Ropeadope label, Baptista displays his visionary approach to music. Listeners are taken on a vibrant journey through mythical towns filled with engaging tales and colorful characters. Experience the magic of CHAMA life and immerse yourself in a night of rhythmic excitement, cultural diversity, and joyous music.

A powerful ensemble of talented musicians leads Baptista’s CHAMA Band, including Zé Luis Oliveira on saxophone and flute, Felipe Hostins on accordion, Tim Keiper on drums, and Jason Fraticelli on bass and cuatro. Through their rhythmic complexity and dynamic performances, they create a dynamic and culturally rich musical experience.

The NJPAC concert will showcase special guests, enhancing unity, cultural exchange, and local artist empowerment. FORRÓ CHAMA will feature David Vieira and Mauro Refosco, members of Forró in the Dark and “American Utopia” by David Byrne. PAGODE CHAMA with Helder Celso, Kauê Alves, Junior Karegato, and Renatinhu from Newark’s vibrant music scene, adding a unique flair to the performance.

Plus, enjoy a vibrant dance party featuring Sabrina Evangelista & Gustavo Nunes, Sabina Ciari, and Dora Flor from BLOCO FROM THE BLOCK. Don’t miss this extraordinary evening with Cyro Baptista and the CHAMA band at NJPAC’s Horizon Sounds of the City.

Event Details:

• Date:July 11, 2024
• Time:6:00 PM
• Venue:Chambers Plaza on the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) grounds

Join us for an extraordinary evening with Cyro Baptista and experience the magic of CHAMA. For more information visit https://cyrobaptista.com.

CHAMA

Ropeadope 

It’s probably fair to say that only Cyro Baptista could concoct a mix of music including Brazilian, Mexican, and Afro-Cuban forms with hints of jazz, funk, and whatever else may fit, sometimes with multiple forms within the same song. Yet, even while you may not detect the particular style or have a total grasp of what he’s up to, he somehow makes it accessible and infectious.” Jim Hynes, Glide Magazine

Link to video DANGER ZONE shot in Bahia Brazil

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n86iJmxHQE

Link to live video PERIGO, shot in NYC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC-QBJPy-fQ

Media Contact:

Nilza Barros
N&P Media Consulting, LLC
nilzabarros@npmediaconsulting.com
+201-852-7829

Career

Born in São Paulo, Brazil, Baptista arrived in the U.S. in 1980 with a scholarship to Creative Music Studio in Woodstock, New York.

During the 1980s, he worked on films with John Zorn and appeared on Zorn’s albums in the 1990s. Also in the ’90s, he appeared on albums by Marisa Monte, Holly Cole, and Cassandra Wilson. In 1997 he released his first solo album, Vira Loucos, with cover versions of music by Heitor Villa-Lobos. The album was recorded with Marc Ribot and Nana Vasconcelos and released by Avant, a label owned by Zorn. He was a member of Zorn’s band Dreamers.^[2]

He recorded with pianist Herbie Hancock on his album Possibilities. He recorded and performed worldwide with Hancock’s Grammy award-winning Gershwin’s World. He toured with Yo-Yo Ma’s Brazil Project and appeared on the Obrigado Brazil, which won two Grammy awards. He collaborated with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra for a Brazilian Carnival modern jazz concert. For over two years, he toured with Paul Simon and appeared on his Concert in Central Park album. He has toured worldwide with Sting.

Baptista has also worked with Paul Simon, Trey Anastasio, Laurie Anderson, Badi Assad, Derek Bailey, Gato Barbieri, Daniel Barenboim, Kathleen Battle, David Byrne, Dr. John, Brian Eno, Melissa Etheridge, Stephen Kent, Ivan Lins, Bobby McFerrin, Medeski Martin & Wood, Milton Nascimento, Robert Palmer, Carlos Santana, Tim Sparks, Spyro Gyra, James Taylor, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Caetano Veloso

Baptista formed Beat the Donkey, a percussion and dance ensemble. The name comes from a Portuguese expression for “let’s do it” or “let’s go”. The band’s personnel and genre are in flux. Sometimes it includes Ribot and Zorn. The music can be rock, funk, Brazilian, or Balkan.^[3]

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