Duduka Da Fonseca Trio - Rio Fantasia

2025

This album is dedicated to Norma, my beloved mother.A courageous, always independent, warmhearted, generous person with a fantastic sense of humor and countless other good qualities. Thank you so much for your great advice in the most important moments of my life and for all the unconditional support and encouragement throughout my professional career. Te Amo!!! -Duduka Da Fonseca.

In 2009, Da Fonseca formed his Brazilian based trio, featuring pianist David Feldman and bassist Guto Wirtti. The Rio based Feldman and Wirtti are the first calls that Da Fonseca makes whenever he returns to Brazil. The trio's instinctive rapport was developed over the years, allowing them a freely flowing style of play. The opportunity to play with Feldman and Wirtti always provides a jolt to Da Fonseca and he typically records their meetings. // Da Fonseca returned to Rio in December 2023. He immediately called Feldman and Wirtti.

Unfortunately, Wirtti was traveling and would not be able to meet immediately. Without missing a beat, Da Fonseca pushed for a recording once Wirtti returned and promptly called a rehearsal with Feldman. When Wirtti did return, the trio immediately assembled at the Biscoito Fino Studio on January 13, 2024, where they recorded what would be their fifth album, Rio Fantasia. The material that Da Fonseca selected to play is a mixture of originals and Brazilian classics. The trio plays them in a way that allows for complete freedom in expression. Though they knew most of the songs, this was the first time the musicians had played them in this configuration.

Most of the tracks chosen for the recording were first takes, capturing the spirit of the music without being overly analyzed. Duduka Da Fonseca's Rio Fantasia provides ample evidence of spirit that is realized in the performance of Brazilian music by experts. The genres become nearly irrelevant when music is played with imagination, dedication, and joy, qualities overwhelmingly present in the best of Brazilian musicians.