Amaro Freitas

From the slums of Recife in northeastern Brazil to international jazz icon: Amaro Freitas has worked tirelessly to become the artist he is today. His debut album Sangue Negro (2016) gained international attention for his "unique approach to the keyboard that leaves audiences in awe" (Downbeat), earning praise from the press. After Rasif (2018), Freitas released Sankofa (2021), a spiritual journey into the forgotten stories, ancient philosophies, and inspiring figures of Black Brazil. With Y’Y (2024), he continues this exploration.

Y’Y was born from Freitas’ time in the Amazon in 2020, where he immersed himself in nature and the Sateré Mawé indigenous community. In Manaus, over 4600 kilometers from his hometown of Recife, Freitas created an album honoring the Amazon rainforest and the rivers of northern Brazil. It calls for respect and protection of nature while reminding us of the impact of modern lifestyles on the ecological balance. The music reflects the complex relationship between humans and nature, emphasizing the relevance of indigenous wisdom today.

While Side A of Y’Y expresses a connection to the earth and the ancestors, Side B showcases the global Black avant-garde community. Shabaka Hutchings comes from London’s vibrant scene, Brandee Younger from New York, Aniel Someillan has Cuban roots, and Jeff Parker and Hamid Drake are part of Chicago’s avant-garde scene. The album weaves these diverse traditions with Afro-Brazilian and Indigenous sounds and rituals. With Y’Y, Freitas strengthens his "decolonized" view of Brazilian music, pushing beyond traditional boundaries.