Brazilian jazz duo Salomão Soares and Vanessa Moreno set for CTIJF debut

“For me, it is an honour to share the stage with Salomão Soares at a festival like this. Many cultures come together, resulting in great diversity."

"It is a pleasure to contribute our piano and voice work to such a vast sonic and cultural landscape,” said Vanessa Moreno, reflecting on her upcoming performance at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. 

The Brazilian duo, pianist Salomão Soares and Latin Grammy-nominated vocalist Moreno, are set to perform at the festival on Friday, March 27, at Rosie's stage.

Their appearance places them within a global line-up that continues to position the event as a meeting point for artists from across continents and traditions.

For Moreno, the opportunity extends beyond performance. It is about exchange and the sharing of identity through sound.

“It is extremely important, because there is so much beautiful and diverse music happening across different parts of Brazil,” she said, speaking on the role of international platforms.

“In every corner of the country, there are people creating art in very unique ways, and being able to bring a bit of our Brazilianness, blended with the jazz atmosphere that is part of our work, is an immense joy. It is also a way to share more of our culture with other parts of the world.”

Soares and Moreno have built a partnership grounded in musical dialogue. Their work focuses on piano and voice, while expanding what those elements can do together.

The result is a sound that moves between structure and spontaneity, grounded in Brazilian traditions while remaining open to improvisation.

Their journey as collaborators began unexpectedly. Though they had known each other for over 15 years, their musical partnership only took shape in 2019 during a studio session.

What began as a shared moment at the piano led to a recording invitation from producer Rafael Alterio and the start of a project that would develop across multiple releases.

“We have known each other for over 15 years, but our musical partnership only began in 2019, when we found ourselves together in a studio, played a song together, and the studio owner, Rafael Alterio, invited us to record our first album,” Moreno explained.

“There is a deep affinity between us. Our playful approach to rhythm and our openness to freely exploring songs are just a couple of them.”

That sense of openness has continued to shape their evolution. With each project, the duo has leaned further into trust, allowing their performances to be guided by instinct as much as preparation.

“With every new album, it feels as though we loosen our grip a little more, listening more deeply, trusting more fully and allowing the music to guide us into new and unexpected paths,” she said.

Their debut album, “Chão de Flutuar", released in 2019, introduced audiences to a partnership rooted in subtle interplay.

The project focused on the balance between voice and piano, drawing listeners into a space where restraint carried as much weight as melody.

This was followed by “Yatra Tá” in 2021, a work inspired by the idea of a journey of transformation, which expanded their approach while maintaining the intimacy that defines their sound.

Their latest release, “Outros Ventos", continues this trajectory. The project reflects a growing confidence in their shared language, as well as a willingness to explore new directions without losing the core of their identity.

Across these recordings, the duo has built an international presence, with performances that highlight both technical precision and emotional range.

Central to their work is the idea of conversation. On stage, Soares and Moreno engage in a continuous exchange, where each listens and responds in real time.

This approach allows their performances to shift depending on the space, the moment and the audience.

“It is a dialogue built on deep trust and musical freedom,” Moreno said.

“We share a similar way of relating to rhythm, which creates a strong connection between us. Each time we perform together, the music takes on different shapes and directions.”

This sense of variation is intentional. Rather than reproducing songs in fixed forms, the duo leaves room for interpretation, ensuring that no two performances are the same.

The audience becomes part of this process, influencing the energy and flow of the music.

“That is partly because every audience brings a unique energy, and because we stay open to the unexpected,” she added.

“The songs have a structure, but there is always space for exploration and experimentation.”

Moreno’s performance style adds another layer to this dynamic. Known for incorporating body percussion and everyday objects into her sets, she expands the role of the voice beyond melody and lyrics.

These elements introduce rhythm in unconventional ways, creating textures that complement Soares’s piano work.

Together, they draw from a range of influences within Brazilian music. Artists such as Joyce Moreno, Luiz Gonzaga, Djavan, Hermeto Pascoal and Tania Maria have shaped their musical vocabulary.

These references are woven into their interpretations, forming part of a broader conversation between tradition and innovation.

For South African audiences, the upcoming performance marks a first encounter with the duo in a live setting. Moreno approaches this moment with a focus on the experience the audience will carry with them after the show.

“It is an immense honour to perform for South African audiences for the first time,” she said.

“I always love when people leave a concert feeling connected, uplifted or inspired to sing, play or explore new musical paths.”

Her perspective highlights a broader intention behind their work. Beyond technical skill or genre, the aim is to create an environment where listeners feel present and engaged.

“Being able to spark that sense of presence and lightness in people is one of the greatest gifts I can receive on stage,” she added.

The 23rd Cape Town International Jazz Festival will take place on March 27 and 28 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

More information about the festival is available at www.capetownjazzfest.com. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.