AZYMUTH

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 1989, 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 early 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. One notable album is from Brazilian singer-songwriter Ana Mazzotti, another one for example is Sabrina Malheiro's album from 2005 (daughter to Alex Malheiros).

Since the advent of the remix, many of Azymuth's songs have been redone by a wide range of artists and musicians. You can also see several electronic acts like Jazzanova among many others, remixing their works, and various songs appearing on different Azymuth albums.
History

Members
 
José Roberto Bertrami, Ivan Conti, Alex Malheiros

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

Jose 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 Records, features fellow musicians Aleuda, Robertinho Silva, Eddy Palmero, Paulinho Trumpete, Ney Conceição, and his own son Victor Bertrami

Alex Malheiros

Released a solo album for Milestone Records titled Atlantic Forest.

Discography

1975: Azimuth
1975: Linha Do Horizonte
1977: Aguia Não Come Mosca
1979: Light as a Feather
1979: Live at the Copacabana Palace
1980: Outubro
1980: Dear Prelude
1982: Cascades
1982: Telecommunication
1984: Rapid Transit
1984: Flame
1985: Spectrum
1986: Tightrope Walker
1987: Crazy Rhythm
1988: The Best / Jazz Carnival
1989: Rio de Janeiro
1989: Carioca
1990: Curumim
1990: Tudo Bem
1994: 21 Anos
1995: Volta a Turma
1996: Jazz Carnival
1998: Woodland Warrior
1999: Pieces of Ipanema
2000: Before We Forget
2002: Partido Novo
2003: Brisa Brasileira (only Japanese import)
2004: Brazilian Soul
2006: Pure
2008: Butterfly

References

a b allmusic ((( Azymuth > Biography )))

About Azymuth

Origin: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Genre(s):  Jazz, samba, funk
Years active: 1975–present
Label(s): Milestone Records, Som Livre, Farout records
Website: www.azymuth.net

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The group started out in the early 70s as Grupo Seleção, a cover band. In 1973, they switched the name to Azymuth, inspired by a Marcos & Paulo Sergio Valle song. Their first album, also named Azymuth, was released two years later and featured the hit "Linha do Horizonte". In 1976, they recorded other minor hits like the single "Melô da Cuíca" and "Jazz Carnival", taken from the 1978 "Light as a Feather" album. The group moved to the United States in the early 80s, producing a number of albums that never came out in Brazil, and placing their bets on a mix of samba, funk and jazz that they defined as MPB-jazz (MPB for Popular Brazilian Music).

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Azymuth (not to be confused with Azimuth, the UK trio formed in 1977) was formed in Brazil in 1971 by José Roberto Bertrami (b. 21 February 1946, Tatui, Brazil; piano/keyboards), Alex Malheiros (b. 19 August 1946, Niteroi, Brazil; bass), and Ivan Conti (b. 16 August 1946, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; drums - sometimes joined in his percussion duties by Aleuda). Adopting the popular jazz funk style, they enjoyed a worldwide hit in 1980 with "Jazz Carnival", from their Light As A Feather set. As such, they were largely responsible for an upsurge of interest in Brazilian music, with a host of big-name American jazz acts journeying to South America to record. While commercial success for Azymuth was difficult to maintain, their subsequent releases were always of interest to the jazz funk crowd. Both Bertrami (Blue Wave, 1983, and Dreams Are Real, 1986) and Malheiros (Atlantic Forest, 1985) also recorded solo outings for the Milestone label. Bertrami left Azymuth in the late 80s, and was replaced by keyboard player Jota Moraes. The latter featured on Tudo Bem and Curumim before making way for the returning Bertrami.