GAIA WILMER & RA KALAM BOB MOSES

DANCING WITH ELEPHANTS

SUNNYSIDE RECORDS 2024

For decades, the great percussionist/conceptualist Ra Kalam Bob Moses has explored many facets of creative music from throughout the world, finding generations of willing collaborators and mentees along the way. Brazilian saxophonist/composer Gaia Wilmer was presented with a unique opportunity to work with Moses and took advantage for their new recording, Dancing with Elephants.

Establishing himself in the jazz rock world of the 1960s, Moses quickly branched out into more diverse realms of improvisation. He studied many facets of percussion and found himself able to add his unique style in uncountable performances. Moses was also able to instill his concepts and open approach to his generations of students at New England Conservatory over the years.

Wilmer has found a place for herself at the heights of contemporary jazz and improvised music in Brazil and the New York scene in short order. Having studied in the States, Wilmer returned to her home country, establishing a number of fantastic groups in Sao Paulo, mostly notably her Sextet and her Large Ensemble that feature her fabulous compositions and arrangements. Since then, she has gone on to work closely with notable Brazilian legends, like Egberto Gismonti and Jaques Morelenbaum.

Gaia Wilmer and Ra Kalam Bob Moses’ Dancing with Elephants is an extraordinary and singular work that utilizes the best aspects of both artists. Moses’ unique improvisational work is paired with Wilmer’s adroit arranging and composing. Utilizing a flexible group of ten musicians, the two were able to assemble a diverse and moving work of art.

GAIA WILMER & JAQUES MORELENBAUM

TREM DAS CORES

BISCOITO FINO 2022

RAMA TRIO

INDEPENDENT 2020

Formed in Rio de Janeiro by three musicians from different regions of Brazil—each bringing distinct accents and musical influences—Rama was created with the purpose of exploring the richness and diversity of Brazilian music as its main point of departure. With a chamber-like sound, the trio’s defining characteristic is the seamless flow between classical and popular traditions, moving freely through a wide range of Brazilian rhythms and genres.

Founded in 2010, the trio’s work is grounded in research into contemporary Brazilian repertoire by composers from both popular and classical backgrounds. Their influences span from classical music to choro, from Bach to Hermeto Pascoal, from Villa-Lobos to Egberto Gismonti, and from Sérgio Assad to Guinga. Featuring original arrangements and compositions by Egberto Gismonti, Sérgio Assad, and Jayme Vignoli, the group released its first album in 2020.

GAIA WILMER - saxophone

ELODIE BOUNY - classical guitar

MAYO PAMPLONA - bass

TUNGO

BISCOITO FINO 2014

Comprised of seven young musicians with diverse musical backgrounds and experiences within the Brazilian music scene, Tungo moves freely between traditional and contemporary musical languages. Blending past and present, the group draws on an in-depth study of choro alongside other rhythms and styles that shape the rich and diverse panorama of Brazilian music and culture. With an emphasis on an acoustic, chamber-like sound, the musicians aim to present carefully selected choros, thoughtfully arranged for this unique ensemble.

Supported by some of the most influential figures in contemporary choro, Tungo released its debut album in August 2014 in partnership with Biscoito Fino, one of Brazil’s most important record labels for MPB (Brazilian Popular Music) and instrumental music. The album features compositions, arrangements, and special guest appearances by renowned composers Maurício Carrilho and Jayme Vignoli, musical direction by Jayme Vignoli, as well as original compositions and arrangements by members of Tungo.

JEFERSON SOUZA - flute

FREDERICO CAVALIERE - clarinet and bass clarinet

GAIA WILMER - soprano, alto and baritone saxophone

BERNARDO DINIZ - cavaquinho

LUCAS PORTO - 7 strings guitar

MAYO PAMPLONA - bass

THIAGO KOBE - drums and percussion