Azymuth

Azymuth is a funky, Brazilian, jazz-samba trio founded in 1973 by keyboardist José Roberto Bertrami, bassist Alex Malheiros, and drummer Ivan "Mamao" Conti. They call their breezy fusion of electric jazz, pop, MPB, samba, and tropical disco, "crazy samba." Beginning with 1975's eponymous album, their tight charts, sensual textures, infectious rhythms, and intricate melodies combined with technology -- registered with listeners and clubgoers globally. 1979's Light as a Feather, their U.S. breakthrough, netted the jazz-disco hit single "Jazz Carnival." Azymuth recorded a string of internationally successful albums between 1980 (Outubro) and 1988 (Crazy Rhythm), becoming, for a time, one of the world's most successful jazz trios. Bertrami left for a solo career in 1990 but returned in 1995 to record Carnival, their Far Out debut. He died in 2012 and was permanently replaced by Kiko Continentino on 2016's Fenix. Conti died in 2023 and was succeeded by drummer Renato "Massa" Calmon for 2025's 50th anniversary set, Marca Passo.