Brazilian pianist and producer Ricardo Bacelar joins legendary percussionist Airto Moreira for the new single “Mestre Novo da Guiné,” arriving on digital platforms March 27, 2026. The track previews their upcoming album Maracanós, a project of original compositions scheduled for international release in April via Jasmin Music. The music was created during an artistic residency at Jasmin Studio in Fortaleza, Brazil. Working with Baclear and his wife, singer Flora Purim, Moreira recorded new work, including the previously released single “Aqui, Oh!”, an unreleased album, and a documentary film in production.
In April, Moreira will be honored with the NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship, awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts. The distinction honors artists whose contributions have had an exceptional impact on jazz’s development over the decades, placing Moreira among the most influential figures in the genre’s history. Moreira moved to the United States in the 1960s and has performed with jazz legends such as Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Keith Jarrett, Santana, Joe Zawinul, Jaco Pastorius, Al Di Meola, Stan Getz, and George Benson, among many others.
“Mestre Novo da Guiné” is the only track on the album with lyrics by Luiz Lima Verde and vocals by Bacelar. The music was composed by Moreira and Bacelar. Bacelar states, “The song tells the story of the journey of a Master chosen to be a leader, who received from his ancestors the mission to represent Afro-Brazilian culture. The track also gained a music video directed by Gabriel Lage, the result of extensive research into Afro-Brazilian culture, integrating the audiovisual dimension into the musical proposal.”
“Mestre Novo da Guiné” will be available on all major streaming platforms on March 27, 2026. The full album Maracanós will be released on April 24, 2026.
