Ricardo Bacelar & Airto Moreira Release Collaborative Album 'Maracanós'
Jazz legends Airto Moreira and Ricardo Bacelar announce their new collaborative instrumental album 'Maracanós', set for global digital release on April 24, 2026, via Jasmim Music.
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- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 18:00
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A new album, 'Maracanós', collaboratively produced by composer and percussionist Airto Moreira and active pianist, composer, and producer Ricardo Bacelar, will be released on various digital platforms via Jasmim Music on April 24, 2026.
This primarily instrumental work will be distributed simultaneously worldwide in countries including Brazil, the United States, Portugal, France, Germany, China, and Japan. The album title 'Maracanós' is a coined word combining 'maraca', an indigenous Brazilian instrument, and 'nós', the Portuguese word for 'us'.
Regarding the recording of this work, which took place from the year before last into last year, Ricardo Bacelar stated: 'Airto visited my studio (Jasmin Studio) in Fortaleza twice. The first time, singer Flora Purim accompanied him, and we filmed the single 'Aqui, Oh!' (already released), the album, and a feature-length documentary currently in production. The second time he came to Fortaleza, Airto and I finished writing the songs and recorded 'Maracanós'. The inspiration for this album was born during the filming of the documentary, and it became a time filled with incredibly happy and wonderful moments for all of us.'
For Airto Moreira, often hailed as the 'father of modern percussion', the production process of this work was extremely stimulating. 'I am satisfied with everything. The studio is wonderful, equipped with everything needed for the highest quality recording. While I usually sing for a few seconds when I'm not playing, this time I was able to use my voice extensively. For me, this album was like a comfortable bed where I could lie down, create art, and rest at the same time.' This month, Airto will receive the NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship, the highest honor in American jazz. This title is awarded to artists who have made significant contributions to the development of jazz, solidifying Airto's position as one of the most important musicians in jazz history.
The driving force behind Airto Moreira is 'freedom of creation'. Since moving to the U.S. in the 1960s, Airto has performed with a legendary roster of jazz artists too numerous to count, including Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Keith Jarrett, Santana, Joe Zawinul, Jaco Pastorius, Al Di Meola, Stan Getz, and George Benson. Reflecting on his journey, Airto says, 'Playing with these giants is proof that I have always been open to creativity. To create a work, you must trust your musical instincts without interfering with anyone and without confusing yourself. I have trusted my instincts since I was a child.'
Flora Purim
Named 'Best Jazz Singer' by U.S. critics for four consecutive years from 1974 to 1977, Flora Purim has been Airto Moreira's partner in both public and private life since the late 1960s. She makes a special guest vocal appearance on the album's track 'Voo da tarde'.
Ricardo Bacelar
Pianist, composer, and producer. Founder of the Jasmin Music label, he is currently the owner of one of the most important recording studios in Brazil. He was a long-time member of the commercially successful Rio-based group 'Hanoi Hanoi'. As a solo artist, he has collaborated with heavyweights of the Brazilian music scene such as Belchior, Ivan Lins, Gilberto Gil, Fagner, Roberto Menescal, Flavio Venturini, Ednardo, and Amelinha. He has ranked high on the U.S. jazz radio charts twice and has performed in Europe and Japan. In 2024, he held live performances at eight locations in Japan, including Blue Note Place in Tokyo.
About the Album
Produced with a bold artistic approach, 'Maracanós' combines acoustic instruments with synthesizers, focusing on improvisation, profound harmonies...
This primarily instrumental work will be distributed simultaneously worldwide in countries including Brazil, the United States, Portugal, France, Germany, China, and Japan. The album title 'Maracanós' is a coined word combining 'maraca', an indigenous Brazilian instrument, and 'nós', the Portuguese word for 'us'.
Regarding the recording of this work, which took place from the year before last into last year, Ricardo Bacelar stated: 'Airto visited my studio (Jasmin Studio) in Fortaleza twice. The first time, singer Flora Purim accompanied him, and we filmed the single 'Aqui, Oh!' (already released), the album, and a feature-length documentary currently in production. The second time he came to Fortaleza, Airto and I finished writing the songs and recorded 'Maracanós'. The inspiration for this album was born during the filming of the documentary, and it became a time filled with incredibly happy and wonderful moments for all of us.'
For Airto Moreira, often hailed as the 'father of modern percussion', the production process of this work was extremely stimulating. 'I am satisfied with everything. The studio is wonderful, equipped with everything needed for the highest quality recording. While I usually sing for a few seconds when I'm not playing, this time I was able to use my voice extensively. For me, this album was like a comfortable bed where I could lie down, create art, and rest at the same time.' This month, Airto will receive the NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship, the highest honor in American jazz. This title is awarded to artists who have made significant contributions to the development of jazz, solidifying Airto's position as one of the most important musicians in jazz history.
The driving force behind Airto Moreira is 'freedom of creation'. Since moving to the U.S. in the 1960s, Airto has performed with a legendary roster of jazz artists too numerous to count, including Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Keith Jarrett, Santana, Joe Zawinul, Jaco Pastorius, Al Di Meola, Stan Getz, and George Benson. Reflecting on his journey, Airto says, 'Playing with these giants is proof that I have always been open to creativity. To create a work, you must trust your musical instincts without interfering with anyone and without confusing yourself. I have trusted my instincts since I was a child.'
Flora Purim
Named 'Best Jazz Singer' by U.S. critics for four consecutive years from 1974 to 1977, Flora Purim has been Airto Moreira's partner in both public and private life since the late 1960s. She makes a special guest vocal appearance on the album's track 'Voo da tarde'.
Ricardo Bacelar
Pianist, composer, and producer. Founder of the Jasmin Music label, he is currently the owner of one of the most important recording studios in Brazil. He was a long-time member of the commercially successful Rio-based group 'Hanoi Hanoi'. As a solo artist, he has collaborated with heavyweights of the Brazilian music scene such as Belchior, Ivan Lins, Gilberto Gil, Fagner, Roberto Menescal, Flavio Venturini, Ednardo, and Amelinha. He has ranked high on the U.S. jazz radio charts twice and has performed in Europe and Japan. In 2024, he held live performances at eight locations in Japan, including Blue Note Place in Tokyo.
About the Album
Produced with a bold artistic approach, 'Maracanós' combines acoustic instruments with synthesizers, focusing on improvisation, profound harmonies...