His Clear, passionate voice captures the spirit of Brazil
Milton Nascimento’s milestone year of 2022 marked the 50th anniversary of one of Brazil’s most important albums and his final concert tour. Now he’s returned.
This series was presented by the Consulate-General of Brazil in Chicago and the Brazilian Foreign Ministry’s Cultural Department.
In celebration of Brazil’s Bicentennial year, 1822 – 2022
This week’s Brazilian Minute: Milton Nascimento’s Milestone Year
(Audio not available)
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Script from Audio:
Milton Nascimento’s clear, passionate voice captures the spirit of Brazil.
It rises from the rich, red soil of his homeland, Minas Gerais, where he banded with other young musicians to create the Clube da Esquina, The Street Corner Club.
2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the Clube da Esquina album, one of Brazil’s 10 most important recordings. It also celebrates Nascimento’s six-decade career with his final concert tour, including six US cities.
Nascimento’s music has crossed cultures on a global scale. New York’s Verve Records signed his first album contract. Wayne Shorter’s Native Dancer established Nascimento internationally. He’s collaborated with Elis Regina, Earth, Wind & Fire, Quincy Jones, Carlos Santana, Duran Duran, and dozens more.
Milton Nascimento has five Grammy Awards, including Best World Music Album.
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Milton Nascimento’s Milestone Year
Overview:
It’s only fitting that the year that marked Brazil’s Bicentennial also celebrated a musical milestone for one of the country’s most beloved singer/songwriters.
Milton Nascimento’s creative roots are as strikingly unique as his vocal range. From its resonant depth to the chime-like clarity of his falsetto mastery.
His musical influences are of equal parts. Firstly, Nascimento combines a unique international vision via jazz, rock, and the world. Secondly, he remains introspectively Brazilian; a result of putting down roots in the rich, red soil of his hometown of Belo Horizonte.
Milton’s Milestone Year
2022 was a milestone year for Milton Nascimento. It brought the 50th anniversary of the Clube da Esquina album, one of Brazil’s greatest recordings. And 60 years for his musical career.
2022 also saw Milton Nascimento’s final concert tour, across Brazil, the United States, and select European venues.
It seemed that Milton was ready to move away from music. But those plans were set aside when his son sent an invitation to Esperanza Spaulding that same year.
It was an invitation with five decades worth of history.
Milton + Esperanza
Spaulding’s introduction to Milton’s music came during a casual dinner party, where Wayne Shorter’s Native Dancer was part of the soundtrack. Even though the young bassist was deep into her studies at Berklee College of Music, Nascimento’s voice was a culture shock.
“I get chills even thinking about it,” she recalls. His creativity made her wonder: “How could I have not known about this before?”
As Esperanza Spaulding’s career grew, the thought of someday recording with Nascimento was never far away.
“Ninety percent of things I write, I’m thinking of him,” says Spaulding. “I’m thinking of his voice. I’m imagining singing it with him. He’s a very present part of my creative imagination.”
We all have dreams, right?
Esperanza’s dream came true, thanks in part to Herbie Hancock who happened to mention the young bassist to Nascimento. Then Milton’s son suggested that she produce an album for his dad. Milton + Esperanza was released on August 9, on Concord Records.
Special guests include Paul Simon, Guinga, Dianne Reeves (“Earth Song”), British vocalist Lianne La Havas, Shabaka, and Wayne’s wife, Carolina Shorter.
Watch for our review of Milton + Esperanza, born out of the musical moments celebrated during Milton Nascimento’s milestone year.
Wondering how it all began? We’ve got you. Read on…
Putting Down Musical Roots
Nascimento’s story offers one of the most impressive vignettes in the panorama of modern Brazilian music. It is far removed from the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, nor within the scent of the African spice of Bahia.
Nascimento’s music begins inland, in the hill country shadows of Minas Gerais. This landlocked state is known for its diamonds, gold, and gems.
In 1945, a small town called Três Pontas inherited its own musical treasure from Rio. A three-year-old boy named Milton Nascimento.
A move to Belo Horizonte would inspire him to uniquely redefine Brazilian music. He was influenced by the traditions of the region and its folkloric, colonial past. Even the sentimental, melancholy of the ‘Toada’, the narrative song form that is distinctive to the region.
Nascimento’s creative drive drew many fine musicians to his side. This includes pianist Wagner Tiso, Lo Borges, Beto Guedes, songwriter Fernando Brandt, and guitarist Toninho Horta.
Collectively this group of young musical innovators became known as the ‘Street Corner Club’ or ‘Clube da Esquina’.
Clube da Esquina Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary
In 1972, the group joined Milton Nascimento and co-leader Borges in a Rio de Janeiro studio to record Clube Da Esquina. The double album spawned hit singles, notably ‘Cravo e Canela’ (Clove and Cinnamon), ‘Cais’ (The Pier), and ‘Nada Será Como Antes’ (Nothing Will Be As It Was). Rolling Stone Brasil’s list of ‘Brazil Top 100 Songs’ ranks Clube Da Esquina at #7.
The album drew on a number of diverse musical influences, including jazz, rock, Chopin, and the Beatles. Surprisingly, Clube Da Esquina has influenced the direction of Brazilian music for decades.
One of Milton’s best-known albums in the U.S. is ‘Native Dancer’, his 1975 album with saxophonist Wayne Shorter. Shorter’s reputation as an alumnus with Miles Davis and Weather Report helped to launch Nascimento’s music internationally.
Milton’s voice can also be heard on Paul Simon’s ‘The Rhythm Of The Saints’ and Sarah Vaughan’s ‘Brazilian Romance’ album. Nascimento co-wrote and recorded ‘Breath After Breath’ with Duran Duran in 1993.
He has participated with James Taylor, Peter Gabriel, Jon Anderson, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, and Quincy Jones. Numerous U.S.-based musicians, including the Manhattan Transfer and Stan Getz, have recorded his music.
In 2020, Brazilian American jazz pianist Antonio Adolfo released a tribute album titled Bruma: Celebrating Milton Nascimento.
Milton Nascimento’s Milestone Year Takes Center Stage
Milton Nascimento is one of the rare vocalists who can draw audiences around the world, regardless of language. He has performed throughout the U.S., Europe, Japan, and Latin America.
2022 will mark his final concert tour. Nascimento’s official announcement came on Sunday night, May 15th with a video. Read the complete story.
A Grammy nominee in 1991 for Txai and in 1995 for Angelus, he won the ‘Best World Music Album’ award in 1997 for his self-titled release Nascimento. He captured 1992’s Down Beat International Critic’s Poll and 1991’s Down Beat Readers’ Poll.
Listen To Milton Nascimento’s Music
Milton’s sound draws from the undercurrents of numerous styles and cultures. This includes centuries-old sacred and folk expressions, from African tribal chants to Gregorian chants.
Nascimento’s soulful voice has fluid command of both lower and upper registers. His falsetto range is distinctively powerful and passionate.
He sings of community, of the earth, of friendship and love, of truth and character. The things that bind all humanity together.
With 60 years of music and 42 memorable albums to enjoy, it’s no small wonder that Milton Nascimento is able to touch us so deeply with just a single phrase.
Connect Brazil has created a free-to-listen streaming channel to celebrate Milton Nascimento’s milestone year. We hope that you will enjoy it and share it with others.
Music, Travel, Friends, and Fun! 2022 marks Connect Brazil’s 25th year.
Milton Nascimento’s milestone year
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