Ryan Keberle & Collectiv do Brasil

Biography

Ryan Keberle & Collectiv do Brasil is a cross-continental jazz ensemble led by acclaimed American trombonist, composer, and educator Ryan Keberle. Born in 1980 in Bloomington, Indiana and raised in Spokane, Washington, Keberle grew up in a musically rich environment, influenced early on by his father, Dan Keberle, a respected jazz educator. After establishing himself in New York’s vibrant jazz scene and earning accolades for his work with ensembles like Catharsis and Reverso, Keberle’s fascination with Brazilian music led him to São Paulo in 2017, where he met pianist Felipe Silveira, bassist Tiago Alves (later Felipe Brisola), and drummer Paulinho Vicente—three of São Paulo’s most sought-after musicians. Their instant musical chemistry gave birth to Collectiv do Brasil, a group dedicated to exploring the deep connections between jazz and Brazil’s sophisticated music traditions, especially the post-bossa nova movement known as música popular brasileira (MPB).

The group’s debut album, 'Sonhos da Esquina,' recorded at São Paulo’s Gargolandia Recording Studio, pays tribute to the music of Milton Nascimento and Toninho Horta, blending original compositions and creative arrangements that highlight the universal language of Afro-centric music traditions. Their subsequent albums, including 'Considerando' and 'Choro das Águas,' further explore the works of legendary Brazilian composers like Edu Lobo and Ivan Lins, reimagining their songs as modern jazz vehicles. Keberle’s trombone, renowned for its vocal-like expressiveness, brings a unique emotional resonance to the ensemble’s sound, evoking the Brazilian sentiment of 'saudades.' Collectiv do Brasil has been praised for its ability to transcend genres, cultures, and traditions, creating a vibrant and evocative musical realm that resonates with audiences worldwide.

Fun Facts

• Ryan Keberle first fell in love with Brazilian music after hearing the legendary singer Elis Regina.
• The group’s album 'Choro das Águas' was created as a tribute to Ivan Lins on his 80th birthday, and Lins himself praised their interpretations.
• Keberle took a sabbatical from his role at Hunter College to immerse himself in São Paulo’s music scene, which directly led to the formation of Collectiv do Brasil.
• Keberle’s trombone playing is noted for evoking the uniquely Brazilian emotion of 'saudades,' a deep, nostalgic longing.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Dan Keberle - Ryan Keberle's father and early musical mentor, jazz educator and trumpeter (Early musical upbringing and guidance) [1980s–1990s]
• Elis Regina - Major stylistic influence; Keberle cites falling in love with Brazilian music after hearing her (Influence on Keberle's approach to Brazilian repertoire) [Influence since Keberle's youth]
• Ivan Lins, Edu Lobo, Toninho Horta, Milton Nascimento - Inspirational figures in Brazilian music whose compositions are central to Collectiv do Brasil's repertoire (Albums 'Choro das Águas', 'Sonhos da Esquina', 'Considerando') [2017–present]

Key Collaborators

• Felipe Silveira - Pianist and arranger, core member of Collectiv do Brasil (All Collectiv do Brasil albums) [2017–present]
• Tiago Alves - Original bassist, core member during formation and early recordings ('Sonhos da Esquina') [2017–2019]
• Felipe Brisola - Bassist, joined after Tiago Alves, core member ('Choro das Águas') [2019–present]
• Paulinho Vicente - Drummer and percussionist, core member of Collectiv do Brasil (All Collectiv do Brasil albums) [2017–present]

Artists Influenced

• Students at Hunter College - Keberle is Director of Jazz Studies, mentoring emerging jazz musicians (Jazz program curriculum and student ensembles) [2016–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Tarde (Sonhos da Esquina)
2. Sai de Baixo (Sai de Baixo)
3. Saindo de Mim (Sai de Baixo)
4. Rei do Carnaval (Rei do Carnaval)
5. Cio da Terra (Sonhos da Esquina)
6. Campinas (Sonhos da Esquina)
7. Clube da Esquina 2 (Sonhos da Esquina)
8. Sai de Baixo (Rei do Carnaval)
9. Considerando (Considerando)
10. Toada (Considerando)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia