Album Notes

Danilo Brito releases the third CD of his career: Sem Restrições (Without Restrictions) presenting new Brazilian instrumental music. The album contains original compositions by Brito and his contemporaries as well as a solo interpretation of “Quando Me Lembro,” a concert waltz composed by Luperce Miranda in the 1930s.

The format is eclectic, reflecting different facets of Brito’s unique style through creative instrumentations: arrangements for an ensemble of strings, flute, clarinet, guitar and cavaquinho by Laércio de Freitas— duets with Luizinho 7 Cordas— the accordion of Dominguinhos— the collaboration of guitarist Alessandro Penezzi— and naturally, Brito’s quintet, formed by Luizinho 7 Cordas (seven-string guitar), the multi-instrumentalist Milton Mori (cavaquinho), the young award-winning clarinetist Alexandre Ribeiro and Rafael Toledo on percussion.

The album, quintessentially Brazilian instrumental music, is equally at ease with virtuosity and sentiment, modernity and tradition. It contains diverse genres and rhythms and harmoniously balances technique and expression without losing an authentically Brazilian swing.

In Danilo’s words: “Simple music, without over-complicating things to appear sophisticated, by musicians who take feelings seriously, all in the service of beauty.”

Danilo Brito is one of the rare instrumentalists with a command of both technique and interpretation. He has never formally studied music. He learned entirely by listening to his father’s old LPs as he grew up and later on, by participating in jam sessions held at the traditional music shops in downtown São Paulo.

He recorded his first CD at 13 (re-released by Eldorado in 2007) containing one original composition, the title track “Moleque Atrevido.” (Daring Kid)

At 19, he beat 514 competitors to receive the “Best Instrumentalist” prize in the 7th Premio Visa competition, considered the most important music competition of the last 10 years. Winning this prize, with a jury paneled by specialists, maestros and instrumentalists, signified an important recognition of Brito’s interpretive style, which was self-taught. In the words of maestro Nelson Ayres, president of the jury: “Danilo is possessed of a rare and impressive musical maturity and interpretive style.”

In his second CD, Perambulando of 2005, he recorded the new original compositions Sussuarana, a lively baião, and the choro “Perambulando,” title track of the CD, in addition to compositions by other authors.

Danilo maintains a persistent dedication to Brazilian instrumental music, whether in the preservation and transmission of what has already been created or in the production of new works. He aims to raise awareness of the wealth of Brazilian musical culture, its greatest composers and performers, its genuine creativity and the beauty of music for all ages, cultures and classes.

He has organized numerous free performances of Brazilian music in São Paulo in his Sarau de Choro and organized presentations of the program Roda de Choro in the Ibirapuera auditorium together with great contemporary instrumentalists. In the United States, he has participated in various international mandolin and acoustic music festivals, conducting workshops and performing for a discerning audience.

At 24, Danilo’s compositions and style don’t necessarily follow trends, neither current nor previous ones. They aim for cultural understanding, dedication, swing and, above all, beauty. In his music, Danilo reaches people with the same passion that music has inspired in himself.
English Version by
Colin Walker and
Maria Silvia Braga

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www.danilobrito.net