"... ONE OF THE MOST TALENTED MUSICIANS TO COME OUT OF BRAZIL IN RECENT YEARS ..."
Claudio Roditi
Watch Brazilian Jazz Suite
What is the spirit of Brazilian Jazz?
Brazilian music embodies beauty, rhythm, dance, and joy. Jazz represents freedom and the eagerness to discover and create in the moment. It is within this integration that the true spirit of Brazilian jazz can be discovered.
A fresh Brazilian jazz trio, led by acclaimed drummer Sam Martinelli, praised by Claudio Roditi as "...one of the most talented musicians to emerge from Brazil in recent years...", strives to uncover the intersection of these two genres.
For this expedition, Sam invites two of the most seasoned jazz musicians known for their appreciation of good taste: bassist Peter Washington and pianist John DiMartino. And there could be no better place to capture this essence than the historic and inspirational Van Gelder Studios, renowned for birthing some of the most significant jazz albums of all time.
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Jazz & Samba Conversations is a live and online show produced in partnership with the National Jazz Museum in Harlem.
In each episode, Sam invites a jazz master to perform a concert exploring the Brazilian jazz repertoire and conducts an interview to discuss the connections between jazz and Brazilian music.
Past guests have included Russell Malone, Houston Person, Chuck Redd, Marcus McLaurine, Freddie Hendrix, Dave Stryker, and Hendrik Meurkens.
JAZZ MEETS THE GREAT BRAZILIAN SONGBOOK
Listed DownBeat Magazine - Best Jazz Albums 2023
Sam Martinelli is joining forces with Ken Peplowski, lauded as "arguably the greatest living jazz clarinetist!" (Russell Davis BBC2), to bring forth a
new album, ‘Jazz Meets the Great Brazilian Songbook’
The album is a celebration and exploration of the classics from the Brazilian music repertoire, in a fusion of samba, bossa nova, and other Brazilian rhythms, and the spontaneous world of Jazz.
Featuring Ehud Asherie on piano, Martin Wind on bass, and Carina Calistro on vocals, the result is a reimagining of the Great Brazilian Songbook through the free-spirited lens of Jazz.
Sam Martinelli, a New York City-based musician, producer, and educator, holds a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies from the City University of New York.
From 2017 to 2020, he performed as part of Claudio Roditi’s group, earning high praise from Roditi, who called him “… one of the most talented musicians to come out of Brazil in recent years.”
Throughout his career, he has collaborated with prominent figures in Brazilian Jazz, including Ken Peplowski, Alcione, Hendrik Meurkens, Marcus McLaurine, Russell Malone, Houston Person, Peter Washington, John DiMartino, Chuck Redd, and many others, sharing both stage and studio with these acclaimed artists.
In 2018, Martinelli released his debut album as a leader, Crossing Paths, featuring Claudio Roditi, Marcus McLaurine, and Tomoko Ohno. According to AllAboutJazz, on this album, Martinelli “… provides strong originals, and delivers with grace, while his seasoned colleagues magnify his intentions and find deeper meaning in the notes and tones of the project.”
Additionally, his collaboration with Ken Peplowski, Jazz Meets The Brazilian Songbook, earned a spot on DownBeat Magazine’s list of the best jazz albums of 2023.
ALBUMS AS LEADER / CO-LEADER
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BRAZIL SOUNDSCAPES
Sam Martinelli Trio with John DiMartino and Peter Washington
'JAZZ MEETS THE GREAT BRAZILIAN SONGBOOK'
'CROSSING PATHS'
with Claudio Roditi
'SYNCHRONICITIES'
with Tomoko Ohno and Marcus McLaurine
ALBUMS AS SIDEMAN
MARCUS MCLAURINE
Tributes - A Life Celebration
MISHA
Dreaming With Eyes Wide Awake
SUE MASKALERIS
Love Is The Key
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