One of the best pianists active in Brazil, Tomás Improta worked with names like Gal Costa, Djavan, Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia, and Chico Buarque. Having been described as Brazil's best pianist by Jornal da Música, he was also praised abroad in special-interest magazines for his two-time participation in the Montreux Festivals (Switzerland). His soundtrack composition for the film Bar Esperança received an award in the Gramado Festival. Later he dedicated himself to his solo work. His diverse recordings owe their influences to various performers such as Heitor Villa-Lobos and Béla Bartók, along with bossa nova (Certas Mulheres). ~ Alvaro Neder