09/17 - Friday :: Cyro Baptista & Friends

Cyro's Website

Since arriving in the U.S. in 1980 from his native country Brazil, Cyro Baptista has emerged as one of the premier percussionists in the country. Coinciding with the rise in the public’s interest of world music, Cyro has managed to record and tour with some of music’s most popular names. His mastery of Brazilian percussion and the many instruments he creates himself, have catapulted him into world renown.

Cyro's credits read like a "Who’s Who" of modern music. He toured extensively with Yo-Yo Ma's Brazil Project, Trey Anastasio's Band (of Phish), John Zorn's Electric Masada, Herbie Hancock's Grammy award winning "Gershwin’s World" , Sting and Paul Simon's "Rhythm of the Saints".

The wide range of artists Cyro Baptista has performed and recorded with include: David Byrne, Kathleen Battle, Gato Barbieri, Dr. John, Brian Eno, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Robert Palmer, Melissa Etheridge, Laurie Anderson, John Zorn, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Michael Tilson Thomas, Daniel Barenboin, Bobby McFerrin, Wynton Marsalis, Yo-Yo-Ma, Medeski Martin & Wood, Spyro Gyra, Trey Anastasio from Phish, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Santana and Sting. He has also played with many respected Brazilian artists such as Milton Nascimento, Caetano Veloso, Ivan Lins, Marisa Monte, and Nana Vasconcelos.

Stu's Website

Studio Stu, with his state-of-the-art Studivarious single string bass, unique Brooklyn humor, and unusual, hypnotic vocals, is a master...a one string wonder, combining a traditional folk instrument and a classic jazz form, to create a third thing (one we haven’t quite figured out what to call yet).....fearless in delivery and willing to navigate uncharted paths through the improvisational wilderness; he is ‘el ultimo hombre del lounge’.

Studio Stu takes the very best in classic jazz and originals, and twists and bends them into what he calls ‘evocative jazz & exotic lounge’. He starts with standard tunes and a loop machine, except, nothing is sacred.....improv is rampant...lyrics are changed at will...notes and chords are bent and perverted...familiar languages are obliterated....harmonies are sweet and sour perfection......yet, serious, sophisticated and uncompromising in execution. He is one in-tune, out-of-tune, offbeat, beatnick.