Azymuth

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years Active

1973–presente

Genres

jazz fusion, samba doido, funk, samba, instrumental, acid jazz

Instruments

keyboards, bass, drums, percussion

Biography

Azymuth is an influential Brazilian band formed in Rio de Janeiro in 1973, bringing together renowned studio musicians such as keyboardist José Roberto Bertrami, bassist Alex Malheiros, and drummer Ivan Conti. Known for their predominantly instrumental sound that blends samba, funk, and jazz fusion — a style christened by the members themselves as "samba doido" —, the group achieved great national prominence in the 1970s with hits like Linha do Horizonte and Melô da Cuíca, in addition to participating in soap opera soundtracks and albums by important MPB artists.

The trio's career gained international projection starting in 1977, when they became the first Brazilian band to perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival. This repercussion opened doors for a solid career abroad, marked by tours in the United States and Europe and the release of highly acclaimed albums, including the international mega-hit Jazz Carnival. Over the years, the group underwent some lineup changes and, with the explosion of acid jazz in the 1990s, experienced a significant resurgence in popularity on the European scene through the English label Far Out Recordings.

Even after the passing of José Roberto Bertrami, the band remained active, maintaining its legacy and renewing its sound with new musicians. The group built a monumental body of work that influenced generations of artists and producers around the world, cementing itself as one of the most creative and enduring names in Brazilian instrumental music. Throughout their journey, Azymuth collaborated and shared stages with several icons of national music, such as Marcos Valle, Eumir Deodato, Elis Regina, and Tim Maia.

Discography

• Marcos Valle, Paulo Sérgio Valle, Conjunto Azimuth – O Fabuloso Fittipaldi (1973)
• Azimüth (1975)
• Águia Não Come Mosca (1977)
• Light As A Feather (1979)
• Maracana / Dear Limmertz (1980)
• Outubro (1980)
• Telecommunication (1981)
• Cascades (1982)
• Rapid Transit (1983)
• Flame (1984)
• Spectrum (1985)
• Live At The Copacabana Palace (1985)
• What's Going On (1985)
• Tightrope Walker (1986)
• Mark Murphy, Azymuth – Night Mood: The Music Of Ivan Lins (1987)
• Crazy Rhythm (1988)
• Jürgen Seefelder meets Azymuth – Rio de Janeiro (1989)
• Tudo Bem (1989)
• Carioca (1989)
• Curumim (1990)
• Volta á Turma (1991)
• Jazz Carnival Part One Of Two (1996)
• Carnival (1996)
• 21 Anos (1996)
• Misturada <2> (Mixing <2>) (Exclusive Remixes Of Azymuth LP 'Carnival') (1997)
• Laranjeiras (1997)
• Misturada, Vol. 2 (1997)
• The Quest? (1998)
• Woodland Warrior (1998)
• Supafat Re-Rubs (1998)
• Ah Voce Nao Sabe (1998)
• Misturada 3 (1999)
• Pieces Of Ipanema (1999)
• Drum & Bass (1999)
• Before We Forget (2000)
• Carambola Remixes (2000)
• Before I Forget (Kenny Dope Remixes) (2001)
• Partido Novo (2002)
• Partido Novo (Newly Broken) (2002)
• Natures Plan Feat Azymuth And Carina Andersson – Somewhere Beyond (2003)
• Brazilian Soul (2004)
• Biaozinho Carioca (2004)
• Roda Piao (Remixes) (2006)
• Arthur Verocai Featuring Azymuth & Ivan Lins – Encore (2007)
• Limited Album Sampler (2007)
• Butterfly (2008)
• Aurora (2011)
• In My Treehouse (2011)
• Meu Mengô (2011)
• Ta Nessa Ainda Bicho? (2012)
• Avenida das Mangueiras (SS Translation By Theo Parrish) (2012)
• Aurora / Remixes + Originals (2013)
• Aurora Remixed (2013)
• Fênix (2016)
• Fênix (Ron Trent Remix) (2017)
• Dear Limmertz (2017)
• Demos (1973-75) Volumes 1&2 (2019)
• Demos (1973-75) Vol. 1 (2019)
• Demos (1973-75) Vol. 2 (2019)
• Demos (1973-1975), Vol. 1 & 2 (2019)
• Marcos Valle, Azymuth, Brazil By Music – Fly Cruzeiro (2020)
• Azymuth / Ali Shaheed Muhammad & Adrian Younge – Jazz Is Dead 4 (2020)
• Azymuth JID004 (2020)
• Marca Passo (2025)