Ricardo Bacelar and Airto Moreira Release 'Mestre Novo da Guiné', a Single Fusing Jazz and Afro-Brazilian Culture

'Mestre Novo da Guiné', the lead single from the collaborative project between composer and percussionist Airto Moreira and pianist, composer, and producer Ricardo Bacelar, will be available on all platforms starting March 27. The single is featured on the album 'Maracanós', which will be released in April by Jasmin Music in Brazil, the United States, Portugal, France, Germany, China, and Japan.

The single 'Mestre Novo da Guiné' (co-written by Airto and Bacelar) is the only track on the album with lyrics. Featuring lyrics by Luiz Lima Verde, the vocals are performed by Bacelar. Regarding the single, Bacelar states, "This song tells the life story of a 'Mestre' (master) destined to be a leader, entrusted by his ancestors with the mission to represent Afro-Brazilian culture and fight for freedom. The music video, directed by Gabriel Laje, was born from deep research into Afro-Brazilian culture, perfectly fusing the musicality of the track with visual expression." The word 'Guiné' (Guinea) in the title refers to the West African nation and also inspired the paintings by Acre-born artist Fernando França that grace the covers of both the single and the album. According to Bacelar, these paintings were "created specifically for this project, incorporating elements of the fusion between Brazil and Africa." The single cover depicts Bacelar playing the piano and Airto holding a berimbau (a traditional Brazilian instrument), both wearing hats featuring the toucan, a bird symbolic of Brazil.

The lyrics of the single mention the names of Candomblé deities such as Oxalá, Oxumaré, Iemanjá, and Xangô.

Music producer Jin Nakahara describes Bacelar as "a pianist and composer who is releasing a series of works in collaboration with renowned artists." According to Nakahara, "Bacelar and Airto met through Jom Tob Azulay." Azulay is the director who worked on the documentary about Airto and Flora Purim, and was also a co-director of 'Elis & Tom: It's Only Love', which was released in Japan.

First Encounter

Ricardo Bacelar and Airto Moreira met during Airto's artist-in-residence program held at Jasmin Studios in Fortaleza, Ceará, in 2025.