The early days and the current groove of jazz from Brazil are explored in this exciting half-hour.  My guests include the legendary Oscar Castro-Neves, a contemporary of Tom Jobim, Luis Bonfa and Joao Gilberto, who was on the scene as a major player when the Bossa Nova was being created, and GRAMMY winner Ivan Lins, the keyboardist/composer whose songs have been recorded by artists ranging from Quincy Jones to Ella Fitzgerald and many more. Lins and Castro-Neves, through their music, show us why the music of Brazil offers something highly stimulating for the heart, body and soul.

Oscar Castro-Neves - Only a handful of musicians reflect a lifetime of accomplishments as diverse and rich as those of Oscar Castro-Neves.  He is renowned for his distinctive guitar style, for the exquisite texture of his orchestrations, and as both a composer/arranger of sophisticated harmonic concepts and an accomplished record producer.  He is also one of the founders of the musical movement known worldwide as bossa nova.  In 1962, Oscar appeared at the first bossa nova concert in America, held at Carnegie Hall.  He has recorded and performed with numerous artists, among them Quincy Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, Herbie Hancock, Barbra Streisand, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Joao Gilberto and Toots Thielemans.  Check out www.oscarcastroneves.com for more information.

Ivan Lins - An acclaimed pianist, composer and vocalist, Ivan Lins has been greatly influenced by both jazz and bossa nova.  Lins’ first breakthrough as a composer was the song "Madalena," recorded by the acclaimed Brazilian singer Elis Regina.  Two of Ivan’s biggest hits are "Abre Alas" (1974) and "Começar de Novo" (1979).  In the 1980s he pursued a career in the United States, where Quincy Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Barbra Streisand recorded his songs.  In 1991, Ivan and Vitor Martins founded the record label Velas, whose goal was to spot and highlight new talents  Ivan has launched Brazilian artists such as Guinga and Chico César, whose careers took off in the 1990s.  A GRAMMY Award winner, Ivan is currently one of the most recorded Brazilian composers abroad.  Check out www.ivanlins.com.br for more information.