Brazilian fusion: Airto Moreira and Ricardo Bacelar unveil “Mestre Novo da Guiné”

In a masterclass of intergenerational dialogue, Brazilian pianist and producer Ricardo Bacelar has joined forces with the legendary percussionist Airto Moreira for their new single, “Mestre Novo da Guiné.” Arriving on digital platforms March 27, 2026, the track serves as a vibrant preview of their upcoming collaborative album, Maracanós, set for international release via Jasmin Music this April.



The project was born from an artistic residency at Jasmin Studio in Fortaleza. Airto, widely regarded as the father of contemporary percussion, noted the synergy of the sessions: “We recorded right in the middle of the creative process. Ricardo knows exactly what he’s doing... we worked together throughout the process, which was very important.”

For Bacelar, the collaboration represented a peak of artistic maturity. “The album has a very immersive character,” Bacelar explains. “I wanted the freedom to make a record with longer tracks and melodic reflections that move away from the commercial model.” This spirit of creative autonomy is a hallmark of Moreira’s six-decade career, which saw him perform with giants like Miles Davis and Chick Corea. “You have to trust your musical instincts to create,” Moreira shares. “I’ve trusted mine since I was a child.”

“Mestre Novo da Guiné” is a deep dive into Afro-Brazilian heritage. Featuring lyrics by Luiz Lima Verde and vocals by Bacelar, the song tells the journey of a spiritual leader chosen to represent ancestral missions. The release is accompanied by a music video directed by Gabriel Lage and cover art by Fernando França, both designed to symbolize the profound cultural fusion between Brazil and Africa.

The timing of the release is particularly poignant, as April 2026 sees Moreira honored with the NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship, the highest jazz recognition in the United States. Reflecting on his 84 years of wisdom, Moreira remains humble: “We can’t own the songs, we have to play them. It’s about creativity and putting the ego aside.”

Through this collaboration, Bacelar and Moreira reaffirm the global vitality of Brazilian instrumental music, bridging the gap between historical documentation and modern innovation.

Single Credits
Mestre Novo da Guiné (Airto Moreira / Ricardo Bacelar / Luis Lima Verde)
Airto Moreira – Percussion
Ricardo Bacelar – Voice, acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes, Hammond organ, percussion, keyboards, electric guitar, samples, and modular synthesizers Hoto Júnior – Percussion
Nélio Costa – Electric bass
Pantico Rocha – Drums
Márcio Resende – Tenor and soprano sax
Stênio Gonçalves – Electric guitar
Maria Bacelar – Vocals
Sara Bacelar – Vocal arrangement and vocals
Eliel Ferreira – VocalsRead