With this latest release, „Meu Nome É Brasil“, Lygia Campos reveals her various personal moods and affaire de coere on 14 fantastic tracks. „Each one is a country of its own and has a very personal colour“, says Lygia. The entire disc represents a powerful commitment to life, to friendship, deep love and solidarity among mankind – and reveals, for Lygia, musical borders do not exist. The richt variety of expression in Lygia Campos` agile, warm-hearted contralto voice emphasis this message.

You´ll hear a modern interpretation of a solid Samba-Batucada, as well as cool ambient loops, bossa nova flair, complex Brazilian pop compositions, fast jazz improvisations and the African rhythms of Black Brazil in „Fe“. Arabic colouring and a French lyric are presented in an intimate ballad and with the swinging tune „Amigos do Rio“ Lygia pays tribute to her Brazilian homeland and salutes the cheerful Cariocas, the people of Rio de Janeiro.

„My Name is Brazil“ ist not only the title of Lygia Campos latest CD, but can also be construed as an affirmation of the fact that she is the personification of Brazilian music at its best. There are very few Brazilian artists in Germany who can match the exuberant musical creativity of singer, pianist and composer Lygia Campos, who puts her heart and soul into presenting the multiple facets of her music in this, her most advanced and exciting recording to date. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Lygia Campos completed her journalism studies with a diploma, while simultaneously studying piano and classical singing. At this time she performed in Rios most famous clubs, such as the Mistura Fina and Chico´s bar, and made numerous appearances with her trio on TV Globo and TVE. One of her professors was Luiz Eca, the pianist with the legendary Tamba Trio and a central figure in Brazilian bossa nova history.



In 1991 Lygia Campos came to Germany where she began to delight audiences with the richness of her Brazilian musical heritage. Her repertoire covers a wide range of bossa nova and jazz music, infused with Afro-Brazilian and Arabian rhythms. Guest appearances with Bill Wyman, Billy Cobham, the NDR Big Band, Tuck & Patty and Sheila Jordan enhanced her career in her adopted country, as did the numerous CDs which she has recorded.
An extra-special and surprising highlight, is the perfect teamwork between Lygia and MPB icon Ivan Lins who was more than willing to join Lygia in the title song „Meu Nome é Brasil“. Lins is a long-time admirer of Lygias work and was happy to participate in the initially intimate but ultimately hymnal duet, which became a touching representation for a new, true Brazil, away from the samba and football cliches.

Lygia Campos studio band is also quite exceptional and includes some eminent and highly experienced musicians: Guitarist Paulo Morello is an acknowledged Brazilian music specialist. He was the initiator of the „Bossa Nova Legends“ project and led the nostalgic bossa era, with a grand and elegant jazz vocabulary into the 21st century, with celbrated singers of the genres prime time, such as Leny Andrade, Pery Ribeiro, Johnny Alf and Alaide Costa. Brazilian drummern and percussionist, Claudio Wilner also has a history of impressing collaborations. He supplied the rhythm foundation for Hermeto Pascoal, Lenine, Paulo Jobim, Cesar Camargo Mariano and Djavan and appeared in many festivals, from Brazil to Vienna. Bassist, Mathias Engelhardt studied on a scholarship at Berklee College in Boston and has played with Wolfgang Haffner, Dusko Gojkovic and Peter Herbolzheimer, among others. Drummer Walter Bittner developed his skills by playing with Jack de Johnette, Dom Um Romao, Ravi Coltrane, Philip Catherine, Chico Freeman and others. And bassist Ciro Trindade has been making a nem for himself since the eighties, not only with his ownd band. „Raiz de Pedra“ but also through his appearances with Egberto Gismonti in Brazil and Europe.

„I feel most important task is to crate a contemporary, global sound – far away from any Brazilian nostalgia. And my foremost message is humanity“.
That is how Lygia Campos sums up her main concerns. „It is especially at times when we realise that we have caused pain, that we should grasp the chance to become closer and to get to know each other better. Lygia Campos brilliant production „Meu nome é Brasil“ is advancing the philosophy with every beat.