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Samba Legends Azymuth Hit UK This Week

• 9th Nov 2009

Combining funk, soul and jazz with Samba, Azymuth are the legendary Brazilian three piece orchestra who were responsible for creating a new sound and genre of their own – ‘Samba Doido (Crazy Samba)’. Jose Roberto Bertrami, Ivan Conti and Alex Malheiros make up the trio – legendary musicians who together have released over 20 albums in thirty five years and who since 1995 have both delighted their original fan base and won over legions of new converts with their outstanding albums for Far Out Recordings.

Azymuth have toured the very best venues over the decades and in 2008 played a legendary show with Azymuth fanatics Madlib and Mochilla at Los Angeles’ Echo Plex. Mochilla and Madlib tracked down Azymuth’s drummer Ivan ‘Mamao’ Conti in Rio, 2002, to play their tribute record to him and to kick-start 2008’s Madlib/Ivan Conte collaboration album Sujinho as Jackson Conti on Mochilla Records. Their European tour followed, taking in famous venues including Paris’ New Morning and London’s Jazz Café. Azymuth have graced the top jazz festivals Monterrey, Montreux, North Sea Jazz and Glastonbury, and the finest venues including Blue Note of New York, Tokyo & Milan. In November 2009 they will finally play world renowned Ronnie Scott’s jazz club (celebrating 50 years).

In 2009 Azymuth return to Europe with a renewed interest behind the band following the release of ‘Butterfly’ at the end of 2008, which Songlines (****) described as “the best Azymuth album to date…truly sublime stuff.” This huge statement confirms the enduring passion and creativity of this trio, who are utterly joyous and infectious when playing live: the crowd compelled to dance and always demanding more. There have been shows where the band have been literally carried back on stage from “pandemonium on the dance floor”, Straight No Chaser, to play a third encore and have never outstayed their welcome, hence the huge demand for Azymuth continues. Having toured a select few cities in the UK and around Europe, Azymuth will dazzle those who have yet to witness their unique live show.

Azymuth’s 2009 tour could surpass any previously embarked upon, with classics such as the world wide chart hit ‘Jazz Carnival’ sitting perfectly alongside the beautiful new material. In their fourth decade together as friends and visionary musicians Azymuth’s original line-up prevails, sounding better than ever.

“Samba jazz legends” MOJO
‘Arguably the most successful band to come out of Brazil…you’re in the hands of masters.’ Songlines
‘Bertrami drizzles tasty solos, Conti dazzles and Malheiros is seriously funky.’ BBC.co.uk
‘Azymuth still sound totally fresh’ Jazzwise
“Expect them to reproduce the funky swagger of their records – and then some” Time Out
“Azymuth are crate-digger favourites evangelised by indie hip-hop producer Madlib” UNCUT
“Dance music played by human beings rather than computers, fantastic” Sunday Times
‘A boogie monster’ NME

10 November: Manchester Band on the Wall link
11 November: London Ronnie Scotts link
12 November: London Ronnie Scotts link
13 November: Bristol Colston Hall link

Azymuth live in LA: link