Cyro Baptista

• projects as a leader •

One of the premiere percussionists on the planet, Cyro Baptista leads his innovative new quartet entitled CHAMA on a virtuosic trek through myriad musics of the world. A veteran of stage and studio work with the likes of John Zorn, Herbie Hancock, Paul Simon, Laurie Anderson, Cassandra Wilson, Trey Anastasio (of Phish), Yo-Yo Ma, Wynton Marsalis and Sting, Baptista is one of the most sought-after players around. His visionary approach to music-making stresses inclusion, community and pushing past boundaries, while remaining refreshingly fun and totally accessible.
Cyro's new project CHAMA (the album and the ensemble), is a non-stop, carnivalesque journey going from one mythical town to the next; a surrealistic voyage with its cast of heroes, demigods, freaks and monsters. The wonder of this program lies in its exquisite musicality and its capacity for leapfrogging from genre to genre, each marked by his haunting, soulful wit.
About CHAMA, the album, released on Ropeadope label in 2023:

"It's probably fair to say that only Cyro Baptista could concoct a mix of music to include Brazilian, Mexican, and Afro-Cuban forms with hints of jazz, funk, and whatever else may fit, sometimes with multiple forms within the same song. Yet, even while you may not detect the particular style or have a total grasp on what he's up to, he somehow makes it accessible and infectious."
Jim Hynes, Glide Magazine

"Baptista has never released a substandard album. "Chama" not only sustains his streak, but its wildly creative, deep groove-laden compositions are simultaneously exploratory and celebratory. Despite the long wait, this album stands with his best work."
Thom Jurek for All Music

Cyro has also participated in the making of many film soundtracks by John Zorn and participated in Oscar nominated feature films, directed by Jonathan Demme and Francis Ford Coppola.

• video •

Cyro Baptista "Danger in the Hood" from album "Chama - Perigo na Área"
Danger Zone - from the song "Perigo na Área"
Cyro Baptista - on YouTube

• audio •

Chama on BandCamp
Cyro Baptista on BandCamp
Cyro Baptista on Spotify

• links •

Biography - on Cyro Baptista website
Photos - on Cyro Baptista website
Discography - on Cyro Baptista website
Cyro Baptista - on Instagram
Cyro Baptista - on Facebook
Biography - on Wikipedia

• quotes •

Brazilian percussion genius
- Time Out New York

Simply ingenious... undeniable... provocative, powerful and deeply enjoyable
- All Music Guide

You feel like you're listening to a captivating travelogue, as told by a group of nomads who are at home everywhere
- NPR Music

A joyous, carnival-like treat
- All About Jazz

I don't even think of him as a percussionist, because he is so much his own personality that it almost transcends any percussion instrument he could be playing
- Yo-Yo Ma

Truly one of the greatest musicians in the world
- Wynton Marsalis

• reviews •

"Chama - il nuovo album" - by Jazz Family (Italy)
"Chama" - Jazz Thing (Germany)
"Chama" - Glide Magazine
"Chama" - All Music

"Wow! Incredible album! An amazing variety of pieces, which makes it feel like a narrative, like a story, going from one mythical town to the next, a surrealistic journey with its cast of heroes, demigods, freaks and monsters. A Fellini movie would almost write itself on it. Beautiful album.

"Groovy slice of modern Tropicalia. There's a giant smile on my face!
Favorite track: Constellation."

• short biography •

Cyro Baptista is a Brazilian born percussionist and composer whose vast talent and penchant for innovation brought him to be praised as one of the most respected musicians in the world.
Cyro's endless sonic curiosity and intense rhythmic led him to create several musical ensembles and record many albums of his own. He has also lent his sounds to several GRAMMY award-winning records and to over 300 CDs with many of the most beloved musicians in the world.
Cyro's credits read like a "Who's Who" of modern music. His talent and versatility have led to associations with a wide range of leading jazz, rock, pop, classical, avant-garde and Brazilian artists. From Paul Simon to Yo-Yo-Ma, Herbie Hancock to Kathleen Battle, Trey Anastasio (from Phish) to John Zorn, Wynton Marsalis to Laurie Anderson, from the legendary Brazilians Milton Nascimento and Caetano Veloso to Sting - they all wanted Cyro's magic touch on their recordings or live performances.
Baptista leads four different ensembles with ten released albums under his name. He tours continuously throughout the world with them.
He conducts masterclasses at major musical institutions, such as Juilliard School, Berklee College of Music, New York University, Mannes College of Music, The New School, Holy Cross University, New World Symphony Orchestra and others.
Baptista has a great interest in education and sharing his knowledge and experiences, especially to underserved factions of society through his The Sound of Community initiative.