The song tells the story of the journey of a Master chosen to be a leader, who received from his ancestors the mission to represent Afro-Brazilian culture. The track also gained a music video directed by Gabriel Lage, the result of extensive research into Afro-Brazilian culture, integrating the audiovisual dimension into the musical proposal.
—Ricardo Bacelar
Brazilian pianist and producer Ricardo Bacelar joins legendary percussionist Airto Moreira for the new single “Mestre Novo da Guiné,” arriving on digital platforms March 27, 2026. The track previews their upcoming album Maracanós, a project of original compositions scheduled for international release in April via Jasmin Music.
Last year, Ricardo Bacelar met Airto Moreira during Moreira’s artistic residency at Jasmin Studio in Fortaleza. Alongside singer Flora Purim, Airto recorded new work, including the single “Aqui, Oh!“ (available digitally), an unreleased album, and a documentary film in production. “Maracanós," mainly instrumental with original compositions from Bacelar and Moreira, was conceived from these sessions.
Moreira highlights the importance of collaboration during the sessions, noting, “We recorded right in the middle of the creative process. Ricardo knows exactly what he’s doing. Jasmin Studio is wonderful; it has everything we need to make a first-class recording. And we worked together throughout the process, which was very important.”
In April, Moreira will be honored with the NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship, awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the highest official recognition dedicated to jazz in the United States. The distinction honors artists whose contributions have had an exceptional impact on the development of jazz over decades, placing Airto among the most influential figures in the genre’s history.
Creative freedom is what drives Airto Moreira, who moved to the United States in the 1960s and went on to perform with jazz legends such as Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette, Chick Corea, Chick Corea, Chick Corea, Santana, Santana, Jaco Pastorius, Jaco Pastorius, Jaco Pastorius, and George Benson, among many others. “The fact that I’ve played with these giants shows that I’ve always been open to creativity. You have to trust your musical instincts to create, without getting in your own way or interfering with others. I’ve trusted mine since I was a child,” says Airto.
The single “Mestre Novo da Guiné,” composed by Airto and Ricardo, is the only track on the album with lyrics by Luiz Lima Verde and vocals by Bacelar. “The song tells the story of the journey of a Master chosen to be a leader, who received from his ancestors the mission to represent Afro-Brazilian culture. The track also gained a music video directed by Gabriel Lage, the result of extensive research into Afro-Brazilian culture, integrating the audiovisual dimension into the musical proposal,” Bacelar explains.
He adds that the theme also inspired paintings illustrating both the single and album covers, created by visual artist Fernando França, born in the Brazilian state of Acre: “They were created especially for this project and feature elements that symbolize the fusion of Brazil and Africa.”
Now 84 years old, with more than six decades of an acclaimed professional career, Airto Moreira prepares for the release of the new album with remarkable wisdom. Reflecting on his approach, he shares: “We can’t own the songs, we have to play them. It’s about creativity and putting the ego aside. I’m very happy that all of this happened; I truly felt inspired.”
For Ricardo Bacelar, the opportunity to collaborate with Airto Moreira inaugurated a new production cycle, connecting music, cinema, and historical documentation, expanding the intergenerational dialogue and reaffirming the vitality of Brazilian instrumental music on the international stage.
Last year, Ricardo Bacelar met Airto Moreira during Moreira’s artistic residency at Jasmin Studio in Fortaleza. Alongside singer Flora Purim, Airto recorded new work, including the single “Aqui, Oh!“ (available digitally), an unreleased album, and a documentary film in production. “Maracanós," mainly instrumental with original compositions from Bacelar and Moreira, was conceived from these sessions.
Moreira highlights the importance of collaboration during the sessions, noting, “We recorded right in the middle of the creative process. Ricardo knows exactly what he’s doing. Jasmin Studio is wonderful; it has everything we need to make a first-class recording. And we worked together throughout the process, which was very important.”
In April, Moreira will be honored with the NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship, awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the highest official recognition dedicated to jazz in the United States. The distinction honors artists whose contributions have had an exceptional impact on the development of jazz over decades, placing Airto among the most influential figures in the genre’s history.
Creative freedom is what drives Airto Moreira, who moved to the United States in the 1960s and went on to perform with jazz legends such as Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette, Chick Corea, Chick Corea, Chick Corea, Santana, Santana, Jaco Pastorius, Jaco Pastorius, Jaco Pastorius, and George Benson, among many others. “The fact that I’ve played with these giants shows that I’ve always been open to creativity. You have to trust your musical instincts to create, without getting in your own way or interfering with others. I’ve trusted mine since I was a child,” says Airto.
The single “Mestre Novo da Guiné,” composed by Airto and Ricardo, is the only track on the album with lyrics by Luiz Lima Verde and vocals by Bacelar. “The song tells the story of the journey of a Master chosen to be a leader, who received from his ancestors the mission to represent Afro-Brazilian culture. The track also gained a music video directed by Gabriel Lage, the result of extensive research into Afro-Brazilian culture, integrating the audiovisual dimension into the musical proposal,” Bacelar explains.
He adds that the theme also inspired paintings illustrating both the single and album covers, created by visual artist Fernando França, born in the Brazilian state of Acre: “They were created especially for this project and feature elements that symbolize the fusion of Brazil and Africa.”
Now 84 years old, with more than six decades of an acclaimed professional career, Airto Moreira prepares for the release of the new album with remarkable wisdom. Reflecting on his approach, he shares: “We can’t own the songs, we have to play them. It’s about creativity and putting the ego aside. I’m very happy that all of this happened; I truly felt inspired.”
For Ricardo Bacelar, the opportunity to collaborate with Airto Moreira inaugurated a new production cycle, connecting music, cinema, and historical documentation, expanding the intergenerational dialogue and reaffirming the vitality of Brazilian instrumental music on the international stage.
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