For those unaware, José Luiz Martins is a Brazilian pianist, composer and producer from São Paulo – Brazil. He has been recording and performing as a sideman and as a leader for over a decade.

He studied classical piano at Escola Municipal de Música de São Paulo under the guidance of the teachers: Renato Figueiredo and Marisa Lacorte, and classical composition with Ricardo Rizek.

Since moving to the US in 2019, he has played at world renowned festivals such as the Mid Atlantic Jazz Festival and the Northampton Jazz Festival as well as venues all over the east coast.

His two albums as a leader brought him important prizes and received amazing reviews of specialized criticism, and on March 17th, 2023, he will release his brand new album, Reflections, with his new trio; including both Michael Chylewski on bass and Jorge Rossy on drums.

1. Beijo Partido
2. 317 East 32nd Street
3. Bolero
4. Passarim
5. Hindsight
6. Morning Tune
7. Stairway to the Stars

This smartly-orchestrated, wholesome and spirited new recording opens on the dedicated, yet quietly flirtatious Beijo Partido and the joyously melodic jazz-pop slide of 317 East 32nd Street and then we get the effortlessly sleek Bolero and the studiousness of Passarim.

Along next is one of my own personal favorites from this luxurious new recording, the upbeat, gently fervent hipsway within Hindsight, which is itself followed seamlessly by the atmospheric Morning Tune, the album coming to a close on the serene balladry of Stairway to the Stars (featuring the vocals of Alex Hamburger).

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