José Roberto Bertrami

Origin

Tatuí, SP

Years active

1965–2012

Genres

mpb, jazz, samba, funk, fusion, latin jazz, brazilian jazz, jazz-funk

Instruments

keyboards, piano, organ, synthesizer, arranger

Biography

José Roberto Bertrami was a seminal Brazilian composer, keyboardist, and arranger, best known as a founding member of the influential jazz-funk trio Azymuth. Born in Tatuí, São Paulo, Bertrami displayed a prodigious musical talent from a young age, initially receiving classical piano training before his passion for jazz, particularly the works of Bill Evans and Miles Davis, led him down a different path. His early career saw him collaborating with notable artists and forming early iterations of what would become Azymuth, such as Projeto III.

Bertrami's innovative approach to music involved a unique fusion of Brazilian rhythms like samba and bossa nova with jazz, funk, and progressive rock elements. This distinctive sound, often referred to as "samba doida" (crazy samba), became the hallmark of Azymuth's international success. His experimentation with instruments like the Fender Rhodes piano and synthesizers, coupled with his deep understanding of rhythm, profoundly influenced the Brazilian music scene and beyond. He was a prolific sideman and solo artist, contributing to hundreds of recordings across various genres.

Beyond his work with Azymuth, Bertrami had an extensive solo career and collaborated with a vast array of Brazilian and international artists, including Elis Regina, Tim Maia, Erasmo Carlos, Gal Costa, Milton Nascimento, Sarah Vaughan, and Ithamara Koorax. His legacy is cemented not only through his own compositions and performances but also through the enduring impact of Azymuth's groundbreaking music, which continues to inspire musicians and captivate audiences worldwide.