Curimba Trio is the latest project of pianist and composer Sam Watts in collaboration with guitarist Jurandir Santana and percussionist Adriano Adewale. They play a lively mix of traditional Brazilian music and jazz, combining infectious Brazilian rhythms with virtuosic improvisation, creating captivating live performances. Their music features familiar samba and bossa nova combined with traditional rhythms from the north-east of Brazil (Baião, Ijexá, Frevo and more). The trio’s members are all established performers and between them have performed with many celebrated musicians, including Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Bobby McFerrin, Jason Marsalis and Jean Toussaint.
MEMBERS:
Sam Watts
Piano
Sam Watts is a pianist and composer specialising in Brazilian music and Jazz. He has recorded and performed with artists including Jean Toussaint, Jason Miles, Jason Marsalis, Rob Luft, Abram Wilson and Judi Jackson.
In 2017 he released his debut album "Mime Music" on the SPARK! Label. He has also appeared on numerous album recordings and is in demand as a pianist around the UK and Europe. As a composer he has written and performed numerous scores to silent films. His compositions have been broadcast on BBC radio 3.
His playing style is rooted in Jazz, but draws influence from traditional Brazilian music and Classical music.
Jurandir Santana
Guitar
Highly respected in the Brazilian music world, Jurandir Santana has worked with some of the biggest Brazilian artists such as Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Daniela Mercury, Jaques Morelenbaum, Seamus Blake and Toninho Horta.
Along with recording with many successful artists, Jurandir Santana has released two albums under his own name:
“Só Brasil” (Maritaca label, São Paulo ) which won the Braskem prize for best album, and “Um Segundo” on the Temps Records label ( Barcelona ).
Jurandir Santana is considered one of the greatest Brazilian guitarists, famous for his impressive technique, unique style and musicality, fusing traditional music from North East Brazil with his own fresh and vibrant contemporary jazz.
Adriano Adewale
Percussion
Brazilian percussionist/composer Adriano Adewale is a versatile musician and performer, known for his unconventional and exploratory approach to music, and for his ability to create magical soundscapes from the seemingly banal.
Adriano has performed with leading world musicians such as the great singer Bobby Mcferrin, pianist Joanna McGregor (with whom he still works and plays in duo, combining classical, jazz and contemporary classical music) and Pianist Benjamin Taubkin, one of the foremost piano players and composers from Brazil. Adriano has a long relationship with Taubkin, with one studio record and a live album soon to be released.
Britten Sinfonia has performed a piece by Adriano at the City of London Festival 2011, together with Joanna McGregor. This was broadcast on BBC.