Hailing from the coastal city of Recife, percussionist Nana Vasconcelos is one of the key figures in Brazil's fusion and avant-jazz movements, as well as a pioneering figure in the global "world music" movement. His work may be a little too goofy or "out there" for many listeners, but for his loyal fans, there's really no other musician like him... Here's a quick look at his work...
Nana Vasconcelos/Nelson Angelo/Novelli "Africadeus" (Saravah, 1972)
Nana Vasconcelos "Amazonas" (Phonogram, 1973)
Nana Vasconcelos, Nelson Angelo & Novelli "Nana Vasconcelos, Nelson Angelo & Novelli" (Saravah, 1974)
Nana Vasconcelos & Egberto Gismonti "Danca Das Cabecas" (ECM, 1977)
The very definition of noodly, this disc is sort of a softer, quieter extension of the free jazz of the 1960s -- flashy in parts but not terribly cohesive. Initially it focuses on Gismonti's acoustic guitar, then shifts into endless improvisational piano riffs. The playing is in essence solo work, with very sparse and minimal accompaniment by a small ensemble. Not really my cup of tea, although this is one of Gismontis best distributed and most well-known albums in the United States.
Nana Vasconcelos "Saudades" (ECM, 1979)
Collin Walcott, Don Cherry & Nana Vasconcelos "Condona" (ECM, 1979)
The band's name is a mash-up of the first letters in each man's name: CO-DO-NA...
Collin Walcott, Don Cherry & Nana Vasconcelos "Condona 2" (ECM, 1982)
Nana Vasconcelos "Zumbi" (Europa, 1983)
Collin Walcott, Don Cherry & Nana Vasconcelos "Condona 3" (ECM, 1983)
Nana Vasconcelos & Egberto Gismonti "Duas Voces" (ECM, 1984)
Nana Vasconcelos "Nantronics" (Europa, 1985)
Nana Vasconcelos "Bush Dance" (Island, 1986)
Nana Vasconcelos And The Bushdancers "Rain Dance" (Island, 1989)
Nana Vasconcelos & Antonello Salis "Lester" (Brass Star, 1990)
Nana Vasconcelos "Contando Estorias" (Velas, 1994)
Nana Vasconcelos "Fragments - Modern Tradition" (Tzadik, 1997)
Nana Vasconcelos "Contaminacao" (M. Officer, 1999)
Nana Vasconcelos "Fragmentos" (Nucleo Contemporaneo, 1990)
Nana Vasconcelos "Minha Loa" (Tratore, 2002)
Nana Vasconcelos & Itamar Assumpcao "Isso Vai Dar Repercussao" (Tratore, 2005)
A live recording from 2001.
Nana Vasconcelos "Chegada" (Azul, 2005)
Nana Vasconcelos "Trilhas" (Azul, 2006)
Nana Vasconcelos "Storytelling" (EMI-Hemisphere, 1995)
