Samba and Jazz fusion is alive and well on “Claroescuro” the first solo CD by Brazilian singer songwriter Pedro Moraes. From the tranquil to hip-shaking soulful sounds which highlight the passion of traditional Brazilian beats. It was forró, a northeastern Brazilian dance style that became big all over southeastern Brazil’s big cities in the 1990’s. Samba found a new audience, with college kids and young musicians embracing and rethinking songs that stretched back decades.

Moraes figured this scenario was his gateway to his musical roots and began taking part in several collective projects. His passion was fueled by playing at bars and watching women like the larger-than-life babe of the salsa-samba anthem “Marcela” heat up the room. Moraes draws inspiration from great Portuguese and Spanish poets, to Catalan fishing shanties. Inspiration can also jump out of street parties and carnival incantations, like the Ash Wednesday prayers for Carnival that can be channeled to live on forever, like on the track “Samba da Quarta-Feira.” The song “Coroa e Cara” is given life with a poetic and spiritual beat and it is here Moraes thrives. Moraes incorporates other Latin dance genres like salsa and tango but is not afraid to take on a Beatles classic such as “With a Little Help From My Friends.”

Since recording “Claroescuro”, Moraes has been fully dedicated in promoting his music, with an intense schedule of concerts that has included Europe, Asia, Brazil and the United States, even here in Southern California just recently. Little by little audiences and peers are taking notice of one of the most important composers and singers in the new Brazilian popular music scene.