Album Notes

The second album from guitarist Mike Burdette and mandolinist Tim Connell. Featuring classics from the Brazilian choro repertoire and one original choro composed by Tim, For Danilo. Guest artists on several tracks: Brian Rice, pandeiro, Ben Blechman, violin, Allen Matthews and Matt Tinari, auxiliary percussion.

Rio Con Brio captivates and transforms audiences with their intimate performance of the beautiful and esoteric Brazilian repertoire known as choro. Choro was the early 20th Century street music of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Influenced by equal parts Afro-Brazilian rhythms and the contemporary cafe music of Italy, France, Spain and Portugal, choro is both exotic and familiar, evoking in turn the carnival of Rio and the cafes of Paris. Guitarist Mike Burdette and mandolinist Tim Connell exhibit finesse and passion in their playing, while displaying a sincere love of the choro repertoire and connection to their audience.