Azymuth

All Music Guide:

Azymuth is an electrified trio from Brazil that calls its music samba doido, which means "crazy samba." The actual sounds, though, are not so crazy: an intelligent, high-voltage blend of Brazilian rhythms, jazz, and funk with occasional acoustic episodes that gained a sizable following in the 1980s. The members of the group include José Roberto Bertrami (born February 21, 1946, in Tatui) on acoustic piano and keyboards, Alex Malheiros (born August 19, 1946, in Niteroi) on bass, and Ivan Conti (born August 16, 1946, in Rio de Janeiro) on drums.

Classically trained and originally influenced by pianists Bill Evans and Luíz Eça (of the Tamba 4), Bertrami worked with Flora Purim and Robertinho Silva before meeting Conti at a Rio nightclub. Upon a visit to a bowling alley/club in 1972, they heard Malheiros and decided to join forces to form Azymuth. Their first album, the soundtrack for the film O Fabuloso Fittipaldi, was released in Brazil in 1973. After spending a number of years as sessionmen in Rio recording studios and touring South America, a successful appearance at the 1977 Montreux Jazz Festival led to a 1978 U.S. tour with Airto and Purim. A contract with Milestone in 1979 resulted in a long string of eclectic albums -- some of which are still available on CD -- that established the group in the American and European markets. All three members also recorded solo albums for Milestone (now out of print). Bertrami left the group around 1988, after which Malheiros and Conti carried on for a while with keyboardist Jota Moraes. In the '90s, Bertrami rejoined Azymuth for sporadic appearances, though their profile isn't as high in the U.S. as it once was. The double disc Azimuth, full of remastered tracks and remixes, appeared in 2007.

Wikipedia:

Azymuth is a three-piece electric funk jazz group from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Formed in 1972, the members are Jose Roberto Bertrami (keyboards), Alex Malheiros (bass, guitars), and Ivan Conti (drums, percussion).

History

They call their music "Samba Doido", which means "Crazy Samba".

From 1979 to 1988, they released many albums for Milestone Records. They have been releasing albums for various labels steadily since. They had a major hit with "Jazz Carnival" in 1979.

Since the mid-1990s, they have released albums on the London based Far Out Recordings label, whilst remaining based in Brazil, and continue to tour in Europe.

Azymuth have also been involved in producing albums and their artists have been involved in several other projects through the years, including an album by Brazilian singer-songwriter Ana Mazzotti, and the 2005 debut album, Equilibria, by Alex Malheiros's daughter Sabrina Malheiros.

Since the advent of the remix, many of Azymuth's songs have been redone by a wide range of artists and musicians. Several electronic acts like Jazzanova among many others, can be heard remixing their works.

Members

Ivan "Mamao" Conti

Released a solo album for Milestone Records titled The Human Factor.

In 2008 Ivan Conti and hip hop musician Madlib released an album as Jackson-Conti titled Sujinho.

Jose Roberto Bertrami

Bertrami has recorded at least six albums under his own leadership. One of his better known releases, his 2001 album Things Are Different for Far Out Recordings, features fellow musicians Aleuda, Robertinho Silva, Eddy Palmero, Paulinho Trumpete, Ney Conceição, and his own son Victor Bertrami.

Alex Malheiros

He released a solo album for Milestone Records titled Atlantic Forest.

2007 Alex Malheiros & Banda Utopia feat. Sabrina Malheiros - The Wave (IG Culture Remixes with John Robinson)

Other Members

Ariovaldo Conresini was the original fourth member. He provided for the use of other percussions during the recording session of the Azimuth EP and album in 1975. However, Coresini died abruptly afterwards.

Jota Moraes is a keyboardist who filled in for Bertrami after his departure from the group in 1988. He recorded as a member of Azymuth for the next two albums after the former's departure. Bertrami returned to his role upon the reunion of Azymuth in the mid-1990s.

Marinho Boffa joined Azymuth in recording sessions with German saxophonist Jürgen Seefeld.