Before his immigration to the U.S. in 1968 -- and subsequent collaborations with the likes of Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul, and Wayne Shorter -- the percussionist Airto Moreira had worked with a number of talented musicians at home in Brazil. Among Airto's cadre of Brazilian cohorts were Mariano Octet, Lennie Dale, Trio Novo, Joyce Moreno, Raul De Souza, Quarteto Novo, and Geraldo Vandre. Among his many bands, there existed one particular trendsetting act that undeniably influenced Brazilian jazz acts to follow: the Sambalanço Trio.
Formed in 1964, the Sambalanço Tr...