Naná Vasconcelos

Naná Vasconcelos' Fragments - Modern Tradition presents a stunning collection of film scores by the world's foremost Brazilian percussionist, whose virtuosity is matched only by the originality of his compositional vision. Released on Tzadik in 1997, the album ranges from his trademark solo music to ensemble pieces featuring some of his favorite collaborators, weaving together award-winning film music that bridges traditional Brazilian rhythms with contemporary experimental approaches. Juvenal de Holanda Vasconcelos (1944-2016), known as Naná Vasconcelos, was a Brazilian percussionist, vocalist and berimbau player notable for his work as a solo artist on over two dozen albums and as a backing musician with Pat Metheny, Don Cherry, Jan Garbarek, Egberto Gismonti, and Milton Nascimento. Born in Recife, Brazil, Vasconcelos was awarded Best Percussionist of the Year by the Down Beat Critics Poll for seven consecutive years from 1984 to 1990 and honored with eight Grammy Awards.

The music here channels what critics describe as "an atavistic intelligence" through film scores that defy easy categorization. Track titles like "Landscapes of Memory," "Road to the Pygmies," and "Rhythm of Life" speak of environments that exist beyond conventional musical boundaries. Vasconcelos' seductive voice and percussion weave in and out of this delightful collection, creating soundscapes that range from intimate solo explorations to rich ensemble pieces. Collaborators include Cyro Baptista and Egberto Gismonti, among others, with the album featuring everything from solo percussion pieces to works for string orchestra. Vasconcelos employed an extraordinary range of instruments including congas, berimbau, gourd, triangle, drums, cymbals, repique, tambourine, gong, caxixi, talking drum, cuica, pandeiro, zabumba, udu, vibraphone, tabla, Tibetan gong and dozens of other percussion instruments from around the world.

The album represents Vasconcelos' unique position as a musician who refused to compromise his artistic identity for commercial appeal. His approach to film scoring created what listeners describe as "consistently interesting music from an obvious percussion master who delves into regions of the musical psyche" that expand both musical horizons and consciousness.

Fragments - Modern Tradition stands as essential documentation of one of Brazil's most innovative musicians, showcasing how traditional percussion mastery can create entirely new cinematic soundscapes that transcend cultural and musical boundaries.