Description
Amaro Freitas, an extraordinary jazz pianist from Recife, Brazil, is driven by the power of experience. His latest album, Y’Y, is a profound testament to this, born from his immersive journey into the heart of the Amazon basin. During his time in Manaus, Freitas forged a deep connection with the Sateré Mawé indigenous community, embracing their wisdom and understanding of the natural world. This transformative experience instilled in him a powerful sense of stewardship for the Earth, leading him to create an album that serves as a moving homage to the Amazon rainforest and its rivers – a call to respect and care for nature as our ancestor, and a warning against the impact of modern civilization.
Y’Y is more than just a musical tribute; it’s an exploration of ancestral knowledge and the incandescent power of enchanted spirits. Tracks like “Mapinguari (Encantado da Mata)” and “Uiara (Encantada da Agua) — Life and Cure” vividly recount legends of powerful forest and water spirits, incorporating sounds and narratives that immerse the listener in these ancient tales. This project, while seemingly a departure, is deeply rooted in Freitas’s ongoing quest to “rescue things that came before coloniality,” a theme evident in the titles of his previous works, Rasif and Sankofa, which also draw from his hometown and Ghanaian philosophy, respectively.
The album also showcases a vibrant convergence of global Black avant-jazz talent. Collaborations with artists like Shabaka Hutchings, Jeff Parker, Brandee Younger, Aniel Someillan, and Hamid Drake create a rich tapestry of sound, weaving together diverse traditions rooted in Afro-Brazilian and indigenous cultures. From the ethereal harmonies and ancestral chants on the title track “Y’Y” to the soulful tribute to the “cirandeiras” on “Mar de Cirandeiras,” Freitas masterfully blends his unique percussive piano style with elements of jazz, folk, and spiritual music. Seeing Amaro Freitas perform is an opportunity to witness an artist who is not only pushing the boundaries of jazz but also fostering a deeper connection to ancestral knowledge, nature, and the global musical community.