Danilo Brito

Double Greatness

— Have you ever wondered what it would be like if Jacob do Bandolim (Rio de Janeiro, 1918-1969) could have met and played with Ernesto Nazareth (Rio de Janeiro, 1863-1934)? Arguably one of Brazil’s greatest mandolin players, Jacob do Bandolim set the bar for mandolin players in Brazil. Following his footsteps, many great names have surfaced in Brazil to carry on Jacob do Bandolim’s musical legacy. Waldir Azevedo, Joel do Nascimento and more recently Hamilton de Holanda are just a few of those artists. Danilo Brito is certainly one additional name to add to that distinguished roster. A couple of years ago, I reviewed here Danilo Brito’s self-title album. At that time, I did not spare words of praise to the heir apparent of Jacob do Bandolim. Now you have a double dose of greatness with two impressive albums.

These two albums, Da Natureza das Coisas and Nosso Brasil, are a testament to the exceptional brilliance of the work and music created by Danilo Brito. In Da Natureza das Coisas, Danilo Brito leads an ensemble with four other musicians. He is on mandolin and tenor guitar, and he is accompanied by Carlos Moura on seven-string guitar, Guilherme Girardi on six-string guitar, Lucas Arantes on cavaquinho, and Roberto Figuerôa on pandeiro. Produced by Maria Silvia and Danilo Brito, the repertoire was all arranged by Brito and covers works by Heitor Villa-Lobos, Garoto, as well as original music by Brito himself and others. The album begins, as Brito says, with a “vigorous interpretation” of Villa-Lobos’ “Choro Nº1.” Undoubtedly, it is a superb arrangement for a Brazilian classic.

In the second album, Nosso Brasil, Danilo Brito performs with the remarkable composer, arranger, producer and multi-instrumentalist André Mehmari. I could easily say nothing else after that sentence. However, please allow me to be redundant here and attempt to put into words the richness that this marriage of mandolin and piano is to my ears. This is as if Jacob do Bandolim and Ernesto Nazareth were performing together for our listening pleasure. Incidentally, Nosso Brasil was the winner of the 2018 ProAC (Programação de Ação Cultural or Cultural Action Program) award. Brito produced and Mehmari arranged the outstanding repertoire we hear. Music is by Ernesto Nazareth, Garoto, Pixinguinha, Zequinha de Abreu as well as originals by Mehmari and Brito. Whether in the opener, the lively “Batuque,” or the dynamic “Amoroso” and the sublime “Branca,” mandolin and piano deliver excellency in every note you hear.