Marcos Valle

In 1963, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and arranger Marcos Valle released Samba Demais, his debut album. Given the music's accessibility, he became a towering figure in Brazilian music and culture almost instantly. During the '70s, he added Brazilian harmonies and polyrhythms to disco, funk, and R&B on albums including Vento Sul (1971) and Previsão Do Tempo (1973). He moved to the U.S. in 1975 and worked as an arranger for artists including Eumir Deodato and Chicago. He embraced the fusion-soaked sound of '80s MPB on Tempo Da Gente. He returned with Nova Bossa Nova on Far Out Recordings in 1997. In the 21st century, various labels reissued his catalog. In 2013, he and jazz vocalist Stacey Kent recorded Ao Vivo, and their collaboration, Live at Birdland New York City - From Tokyo to New York, three years later. In 2020, Valle, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Adrian Younge issued Jazz Is Dead 3. In 2024, he released his 39th album T​ú​nel Ac​ú​stico.