2

Bassist Andr Vasconcellos makes his auspicious US debut with, which - astoundingly - is only this prodigious musician's second release in his own right. A key member of mandolinist Hamilton de Holanda's band, Vasconcellos has leant his impressive talents in the studio and on the road to a lengthy list of Brazilian music luminaries, including Hermeto Pascoal, Leo Gandelman, Toninho Horta, Gabriel Grossi, Ivan Lins, Seu Jorge, Daniel Santiago, and Torcuato Mariano, who returns that musical favor with a guest appearance on 2. Most recently, Vasconcellos completed a world tour with the internationally acclaimed vocalist Djavan. On 2, the bassist, accompanied by a six-man band that supportshis jazz-inflected groove with superb efficiency, offers up eight tracks that highlight his ability to transcend genre, effortlessly merging the jazz, hip-hop, chill and Brazilian influences that have shaped his unique talent.