Vocalist Mafalda Minnozzi's "RIOFONIC"

Vocalist MAFALDA MINNOZZI is releasing her fourth jazz album, RIOFONIC, for the USA market produced by New York guitarist, arranger and musical director PAUL RICCI. Recorded in Rio de Janeiro, the album features her beautiful tone, gentle swing, and superb facility for singing in multiple languages.

Minnozzi is a touring artist with three home bases. She performs regularly in New York City, where she can be found singing in top clubs like Birdland, Mezzrow, and Django. She returns regularly to her native Italy, where she performs in some of the country’s leading jazz festivals. And she is a long-time resident of Brazil, where she has had a long career, recording over 20 albums and collaborating with the likes of Milton Nascimento, Joao Bosco and Leny Andrade among others. She has also recorded with stalwarts Helio Alves, Don Byron, Joe Locke, Dave Liebman, Michael Wolff, Will Calhoun and John Patitucci. 

Her blending of jazz with the songbooks from Italy, the USA, Brazil, France, and Naples allows her to connect with a broad and diverse audience in some of the most prestigious settings around the world, leaving a profound impression wherever she performs. In Rome, she became renowned in hot spots for intellectuals, artists, and journalists in clubs like La Cabala and Jackie O’. She became so well known that her fame spread to Brazil, and in 1996, she received an invitation to perform a short run in Rio de Janeiro. That short run lasted a full year and sparked her lifelong love affair with Brazil. Minnozzi went on to build a solid career in Rio, becoming a well-known force in the recording and artistic community as a performer and composer. 

Relocating to Brazil changed her life. The ocean breeze of Rio was a healing force that freed her from her debilitating asthma, and Brazilian music had a major impact on her inner musical voice and style. Minnozzi signed a record deal with Brazil’s number one label, Som Livre, which led to many honors, such as the title of “Ambassador of Italian Song” from the Italian consulate and “Honorary Citizen of the State of Rio de Janeiro” bestowed by the state legislature.

Minnozzi’s almost 30-year collaboration with Ricci has had a lasting impact on her musical evolution. A jazz artist with eclectic experiences, Ricci has performed in the top New York jazz clubs and has played with and arranged for Astrud Gilberto, Harry Belafonte and Bobby Sanabria, among many others. Their collaboration has led Minnozzi to develop her own percussive scat singing style, creating a unique take on world music. The camaraderie between Minnozzi and Brazilian musicians has enabled her to become a stellar improviser. After a long career, she continues to innovate, fusing traditions and cultures that her audiences find enchanting.

RIOFONIC features Brazilian jazz luminaries, including the legendary ROBERTO MENESCAL (vocals, guitar), world renowned producer KASSIN (electric bass), JORGE HELDER (acoustic bass), JOAO CORTEZ (drums, percussion), celebrated arranger JAQUES MORELENBAUM (cello), plus RAFAEL ROCHA (trombone), MARCELO MARTINS (tenor and alto sax, flute and alto flute), and JESSÉ SADOC (trumpet, flugelhorn), who make up the horn section featured on Antonio Adolfo’s fine works.

Minnozzi opens the album with Roberto Menescal’s “Rio,” a deceptively simple melody that weaves through intricate key changes, allowing Ricci’s guitar to soar with expressive freedom and Mafalda’s scat to take off and fly over the innovative bass playing of Kassin, capturing the vibrant spirit of Rio itself. “Corcovado” is a Brazilian standard with a fresh arrangement by Menescal featuring Minnozzi’s soulful and spirited interpretation. On “Só Danço Samba (I Only Dance Samba),” Menescal surprised the band with his idea for a funky groove on this Jobim classic, complete with handclaps. 

“Café South American Style,” written by Minnozzi and Ricci, is rooted in Bossa but blended with a more modern and suggestive sound in keeping with classic FM radio. Minnozzi beautifully captures the introspective spirit of “Eu E A Brisa (The Breeze And I),” composed by Johnny Alf, a pioneering figure who overcame poverty and societal barriers as a gay Afro-Brazilian. 

Menescal’s ”O Barquinho (My Little Boat)” is the perfect vehicle for some lighthearted interplay between Minnozzi and Menescal, who is on guitar and vocals. “Telefone” is a playful romp inspired by a true story about lyricist Ronalda Boscoli's attempts to call a young lady who never picks up. Minnozzi sings Domenico Modugno’s “Tu Si ‘Na Cosa Grande (You Are Something Grand)” in the Neapolitan dialect. With composer Menescal’s backing vocal, Minnozzi sings “Você (You)” in English.

“Postcard from Rio,” written by Ricci and Minnozzi and sung in English, explores the more Afro-Brazilian side of Rio with some great solos from the horn section. On “The Gentle Rain,” also sung in English, Minnozzi delivers a masterful storytelling performance, accompanied by cello virtuoso Morelenbaum and acoustic bassist Helder. 

“Garota De Ipanema” features Menescal's swinging guitar, Martins on tenor sax, and impeccable support from drummer Cortez, breathing new life into a timeless classic. The mood is uptempo and joyful on Carlos Lyra’s “Se É Tarde Me Perdoa (If I’m Late, Forgive Me).” Lastly, arranger Ricci drew inspiration from Jobim's 1963 debut instrumental album for a swinging “Água De Beber (Water to Drink)” to end the album literally on a high note.

RIOFONIC is Minnozzi’s homage to the music, the band, and the people of Rio for all that they have given her over the years. Her elegant vocals, heartfelt interpretations, and sophisticated interplay with the top-notch band, RIOFONIC one of the finest albums to come out of Brazil in the 21st Century.

TRACKS

1. RIO (3:32)

2. CORCOVADO (3:46)

3. SO DANÇO SAMBA (4:45) 

4. CAFÉ SOUTH AMERICAN STYLE (4:11) 

5. EU E A BRISA (3:53)

6. O BARQUINHO (4:11)

7. TELEFONE (4:17)

8. TU SI 'NA COSA GRANDE (4:07) 

9. VOCÊ (4:09) 

10. POSTCARD FROM RIO (3:43)

11. THE GENTLE RAIN (4:02)

12. GAROTA DE IPANEMA (3:28)

13. SE É TARDE ME PERDOA (3:41)

14. ÁGUA DE BEBER (4:30) 

RIOFONIC is available as of February 7, 2025 at www.mafaldaminnozzi.com and online everywhere.

WATCH: 

“Corcovado”: Youtu.be/wwGKQNqPN8E?feature=shared

Online:

mafaldaminnozzi.com

Facebook.com/minnozzimafalda

Youtube.com/user/mafaldaminnozzi