In 2020, pianist Amaro Freitas visited the Amazon basin and an entirely new musical world opened up to him. He connected with an indigenous community there and immersed himself in the wilderness, experiencing a mystical and strong bond with the earth. The result was an album with the mysterious name Y’Y. The first half pays homage to the forest and river, warning us that we must protect these ancient resources. The second part celebrates the global Black “avant-jazz” community. London-based instrumentalist Shabaka matches Freitas’ contemplative piano playing alongside Aniel Someillan from Cuba, and Jeff Parker and Hamid Drake from the Chicago jazz scene. This special project is thus a conversation between Afro-Brazilian traditions, international jazz genres and indigenous culture. With Y’Y, Freitas further refines his “decolonized” interpretation of Brazilian jazz. He will attend the festival with his Amaro Freitas Trio.
