Our new album, Passos Brasileiros, is now available on Spotify, Bandcamp, and most streaming platforms! Find listening links on our linktr.ee/toomaiquintet .
Passos Brasileiros (Brazilian Steps) pays homage to Brazil’s rich musical legacy. The album features original arrangements of popular songs by Milton Nascimento, Gilberto Gil, and Dona Ivone Lara (the “First Lady of Samba”); jazz-influenced works by Hermeto Pascoal and Léa Freire; and classical selections by Chiquinha Gonzaga, Heitor Villa-Lobos, and Paulinho Nogueira. These arrangements seek to capture the essence of several beloved Brazilian traditions — choro, samba, Brazilian jazz, classical music, and Música Popular Brasileira (MPB) — and to reimagine them for string quintet.
Passos Brasileiros reflects Toomai String Quintet’s musical exploration of Brazil. From our travels throughout the country, to our bonds with friends who live there, to our studies of the country’s vast musical traditions, this album celebrates Brazil’s vibrant cultural tapestry.
LISTEN ON:
Thanks so much to the many friends who were a part of this album:
- Léa Freire, for trusting us with your gorgeous music and for your playing on the record;
- Ryan Streber & Charles Mueller at Oktaven Audio for your amazing recording and editing;
- Nate Wood at Kerseboom Mastering for your great work taking this to the finish line;
- Dana Kelley and Emma Frucht for joining us on a few songs (you are so awesome!);
- Rimon Guimarães for your magical cover art;
- Kurt A. Schumacher for your thoughtful and exciting graphic design;
- Juan Ruiz, Ben Grow, Rosy Sackstein, and David Roitstein lending your ears to this project both in the studio and the editing ether;
- Stuart Wolferman at Unfinished Side, PR.
And a special thanks to our supporters who believed in us to finish this epic endeavor:
- The Barbara and Emery Olcott Foundation
- Dr. Gemzel Hernández