Azymuth

Azymuth is a Brazilian jazz-funk group formed in 1973. The original lineup was a trio composed of José Roberto Bertrami (keyboards), Alex Malheiros (bass, guitars), and Ivan Conti (drums, percussion).[1] Kiko Continentino joined the group in 2015 as the band's keyboardist after Bertrami's passing. As of April 2023, Alex Malheiros is the only surviving original member of the group.

Not to be confused with Azimuth (band), a British jazz trio.

Azymuth
Azymuth in 2019
Azymuth in 2019
Background information
OriginRio de Janeiro, Brazil
GenresJazz, samba, funk
Years active1973–present
LabelsMilestone Records
Far Out Recordings
MembersAlex Malheiros
Kiko Continentino
Renato Calmon
Past membersJosé Roberto Bertrami
Ariovaldo Contesini
Ivan Conti

History

From 1979 to 1988, they released many albums for Milestone Records. They also had a major hit single with "Jazz Carnival", a product of their Light as a Feather album, in 1979.[1] It peaked at number 19 in the UK Singles Chart in January 1980.[2] Since the mid-1990s, they have released albums on the London based Far Out Recordings label, while remaining based in Brazil, and continue to tour in Europe.

Azymuth performing in 2019

Azymuth have also been involved in producing albums and their artists have been involved in several other projects through the years, including an album by Brazilian singer-songwriter Ana Mazzotti, and the 2005 debut album, Equilibria, by Alex Malheiros's daughter Sabrina Malheiros. They call their music "Samba Doido", which means "Crazy Samba".[3] Since the advent of the remix, many of Azymuth's songs have been redone by a wide range of artists and musicians. Several electronic acts like Jazzanova among many others, can be heard remixing their works.

Bertrami died on 8 July 2012 at age 66.[4]

On 17 April 2023, it was reported that their former drummer Ivan Conti had died.[5]

In June 2023 the drummer Renato "Massa" Calmon joined the band as the successor of Ivan Conti[6]

Solo careers

Ivan "Mamão" Conti has released several solo records, including The Human Factor (Milestone, 1984). In 2008, Conti and hip hop musician Madlib released an album as "Jackson-Conti" titled Sujinho.

Alex Malheiros has released Atlantic Forest (Milestone, 1985),[1] Zenith (Niterói Discos, 1992) and The Wave (Far Out, 2009).

Bertrami had the largest solo career. His album Things Are Different (Far Out Recordings, 2001) featured Robertinho Silva among others.

Other contributors
  • Ariovaldo Contesini was the original fourth member and percussionist. He provided percussion during the recording session of the Azimuth EP and album in 1975. However, Contesini left the band shortly after completing the album.
  • Jota Moraes is a keyboardist, who filled in for Bertrami after his departure from the group in 1988.[1] He recorded as a member of Azymuth for the next two albums after the former's departure. Bertrami returned to his role upon the reunion of Azymuth in the mid-1990
  • Marinho Boffa joined Azymuth in recording sessions with German saxophonist Jürgen Seefelder.

Discography

Studio albums

Single
  • 1972: "Concerto para um Verão" / "The Girl from Paramaribo" (with Marcos Valle, credited as 'Alan and his Orchestra')

Original motion picture soundtrack

Studio albums
  • 1975: Azimüth (original issue on Som Livre) - 2CD reissue on Far Out Recordings
  • 1977: Aguia Não Come Mosca (Atlantic)
  • 1979: Light as a Feather (Milestone)
  • 1979: Live at the Copacabana Palace (Isis)
  • 1980: Dear Prelude (Compilation)
  • 1980: Outubro (Milestone)
  • 1982: Cascades (Milestone)
  • 1982: Telecommunication (Milestone)
  • 1984: Rapid Transit (Milestone)
  • 1984: Flame (Milestone)
  • 1985: Spectrum (Milestone)
  • 1986: Tightrope Walker (Milestone)
  • 1987: Crazy Rhythm (Milestone)
  • 1988: Carioca (Milestone)
  • 1989: Tudo Bem (Intima)
  • 1990: Curumim (Intima)
  • 1991: Volta a Turma
  • 1994: 21 Anos
  • 1996: Jazz Carnival (Far Out)
  • 1998: Woodland Warrior (Far Out)
  • 1999: Pieces of Ipanema (Far Out)
  • 2000: Before We Forget (Far Out)
  • 2002: Partido Novo (Far Out)
  • 2004: Brazilian Soul (Far Out)
  • 2006: Pure: The Far Out Years 1995-2006 (Far Out)
  • 2008: Butterfly (Far Out)
  • 2011: Aurora (Far Out)
  • 2016: Fênix (Far Out)
  • 2019: Demos (1973-1975), Vol. 1 & 2 (Far Out)
  • 2020: Azymuth JID004 (Jazz Is Dead) with Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad

References
  1. Colin Larkin, ed. (2003). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music (Third ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 36/7. ISBN 1-85227-969-9.
  2. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 35. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  3. "Azymuth | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  4. "Jose Roberto Bertrami R.I.P. (1946 - 2012)". Far Out Recordings. 9 July 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2013.
  5. "Ivan Conti, baterista da banda Azymuth, morre aos 76 anos". G1.globo.com. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  6. "Announcement of Renato "Massa" Calmon as the new drummer of Azymuth". Azymuth Instagram account. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
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