New York, NY (Top40 Charts) The Portuguese jazz ensemble known around the world as Ararur have released their long-awaited self-titled LP record, "Ararur." The record is comprised of 10 original compositions for an approximate total listening time of 50 minutes. Its recording and production were financed by European and national funding, a first for Ararur and a grand accomplishment for any artist.
The heart of Ararur is composer and guitarist António
Miguel Silva, and composer, singer and songwriter Ângela
Maria Santos, who penned all of the lyrics for "Ararur" except for "Terra," which borrows lines by the Angolan poet, Ondjaki.
The name of their collaboration and record, "Ararur," is a proper noun meaning a "place where thoughts and memories dissolve into the present moment."
Silva cites as main artistic influences artists such as John Scofield, the Esbjorn
Svenson Trio, Bill Frisell, and world music in general. He began in music by learning guitar at university where he was studying economics, but he eventually changed majors.
"I have my University degree in jazz guitar now," he writes.
When asked to describe the message their new album has in store for music fans at home and abroad, Silva writes, "[These are] melodies with which people can relate, the environments and sounds of world music. The musicians' freedom to express themselves in each instrument takes us to the jazz and improvised music. [One can] discover this in Ararur."
After finishing his jazz guitar degree, Silva was accepted to the first invitation of Musibéri's artistic residence in Serpa, Portugal. Here he worked for the first seven months of 2013 on the original compositions that appear in "Ararur." Joining him on the record are his friends and classmates who together make up the rest of Ararur: Ângela
Maria Santos (singer-songwriter), João Capinha (saxophone), Francisco Brito (double bass), and João Rijo (drums). They are currently planning a tour for 2014.
"Ararur" by Ararur is available online worldwide beginning 5 October 2013. Get in early.
The LP "Ararur" is distributed globally by MondoTunes (www.MondoTunes.com) and is available at iTunes or www.top40-charts.com for convenient purchase and download.
