Portuguese double bass player João Madeira (who runs the 4DARECORD label) and tenor sax player Bruno Parrinha have collaborated in the last decade on many free improvised projects, mainly those initiated by violist Ernesto Rodriguez (who runs the Creative Sources label), including the Variable Geometry Orchestra, and other albums featuring violinist Carlos «Zingaro».
2 X 2 (Dois Ao Quadrado) is Madeira and Parrinha’s debut duo album, recorded at Memória in Lisbon in February and August 2025. The album offers eight short, intimate, and chamber-like free improvisations that rely on the profound camaraderie of these resourceful, experienced improvisers. The music flows naturally and effortlessly, and Madeira and Parrinha sound like close friends exchanging insightful observations, ideas, and sonic gestures, or sketching intuitive, poetic, and lyrical geometric structures in an empathic, stimulating manner.
Two is the sophomore duo album of the working duo of Parrinha, now playing the alto sax (on the left channel), with fellow Portuguese, generation younger alto sax player João Gato (on the right channel), following their self-titled debut album (Phonogram Unit, 2024). The album was recorded live at Penhasco in Lisbon in June 2024. The notion of two improvisers playing two alto saxes tempts to suggest mathematical analogies to the duo’s dynamics, focusing on the first and smallest prime number, problem-solving, or paths that can be chosen.
However, Concerts corresponds with the free jazz, free associative aesthetics, and the nine pieces suggest complex dances and dialogues that stress Parrinha and Gato’s strong-minded, individual voices. These free improvised dances and conversations, including heated and confrontational arguments, are quite intense, even in their most introspective modes. They explore different moods and resonant and dissonant timbres, demanding attentive listening and immediate, well-articulated responses. Parrinha and Gato end this engaging, often acrobatic journey with a beautiful, moving melody that enjoys their rich sonic palettes.
Eyal Hareuveni
João Madeira (double bass), Bruno Parrinha (tenor saxophone, alto saxophone), João Gato (alto saxophone)
