Rio Fantasia

SSC1753 2025-02-14

Track List

Navegar - 4:53
Soccer Ball - 6:41
Minha - 5:51
Retrato em Branco e Preto - 4:54
Esqueceram de Mim no Aeroporto - 7:07
Eu e a Brisa - 5:31
Santa Maria - 7:51
Manhattan Style - 5:37

Musicians

Duduka Da Fonseca - drums
David Feldman - piano
Guto Wirtti - bass
Paulo Levi - tenor saxophone (4 & 8)
Maucha Adnet - vocals (4)

The magic of Brazil and its music have captured generations of music lovers. The joyous beats of samba and the mysterious sensuality of bossa nova have grabbed listeners like few other genres can. Duduka Da Fonseca conjures the spells of Brazilian music whenever he is behind his drum kit. But there is a special feeling that comes to Da Fonseca when he returns home to Rio de Janeiro, an unscripted and unpredictable joy that comes through in performing music. That alchemy is captured on Da Fonseca’s new recording, Rio Fantasia.

Having arrived in New York City in 1975, Da Fonseca has powered the rhythm section of many jazz legends. He has also been integral in the presentation of music by Brazilian legends, like Astrud Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Claudio Roditi and Dom Salvador among others.

In 2009, Da Fonseca formed his Brazilian based trio, featuring pianist David Feldman and bassist Guto Wirtti. The Rio based Feldman and Wirtti are the first calls that Da Fonseca makes whenever he returns to Brazil. The trio’s instinctive rapport was developed over the years, allowing them a freely flowing style of play. The opportunity to play with Feldman and Wirtti always provides a jolt to Da Fonseca and he typically records their meetings.

Da Fonseca returned to Rio in December 2023. He immediately called Feldman and Wirtti. Unfortunately, Wirtti was traveling and would not be able to meet immediately. Without missing a beat, Da Fonseca pushed for a recording once Wirtti returned and promptly called a rehearsal with Feldman. When Wirtti did return, the trio immediately assembled at the Biscoito Fino Studio on January 13, 2024, where they recorded what would be their fifth album, Rio Fantasia.

The material that Da Fonseca selected to play is a mixture of originals and Brazilian classics. The trio plays them in a way that allows for complete freedom in expression. Though they knew most of the songs, this was the first time the musicians had played them in this configuration. Most of the tracks chosen for the recording were first takes, capturing the spirit of the music without being overly analyzed.