Cornucopia

Brazilian pianist and songwriter Ivan Lins' unique approach to harmony and arranging has established him as a musical icon in his home country. A two time Latin Grammy recipient, his songs have been recorded by Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and Barbra Streisand and, in his native land, by Elis Regina, Simone and Chico Buarque. 'Cornucopia' sees him perform with the SWR Big Band in a singular collaboration encompassing brassy orchestration, multiple percussion and occasional electronics.

Recorded over four days at Stuttgart's SWR Radio Studio in 2011/12, the albums thirteen tracks are mostly previously unreleased compositions by Lins selected by conductor / arranger Ralf Schmid. The first piece, the African influenced "Araketutu", is a sun-drenched listen and reflects the production just as much as the atmospherically "Atlantida", sung by Paula Morelenbaum, and Lins' dedication to his home city of Rio de Janeiro, "Samba de Vison".