Nilza Costa in Wrocław: Brazil’s Bahia, African roots and a musical world of rhythm

Nilza Costa comes from Ondina, near Salvador in the Brazilian state of Bahia, where the cultures of enslaved Africans arriving there intermingled particularly strongly with the traditions of local tribes.

With her deep “black” voice, Nilza invites listeners to discover a past reaching back to the myths and traditions of a country whose people found a path to liberation through music.

The album features classic world music and Afro-jazz sounds, with Nilza's Afro-Brazilian roots enriched by the worlds of samba, jazz, reggae and blues. The songs are sung in Portuguese, Yoruba (an ancient language of African slaves) and Italian.

The project involved jazz musicians, including from Bolivia, where the album was recorded.

Nilza Costa received particular support from her guitarist friend Peppe Siracusa, as well as Giancarlo Bianchetti and Massimo Donno (guitar); Roberto Rossi and Cristian Vistoli (drums); Carlo Atti (alto saxophone); Claudio Cadei (violin); Davide Garattoni (double bass); Manuel Dimba Monteiro (drums); Gianluca Sia (soprano saxophone); and Silvia Donati, Carlotta Monti and Francesca Biancoli (vocals).

The artist is accompanied on stage by Roberto Rossi – drums; Federico Códice – guitar; Pippi Dimonte – double bass.

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