Maria is the debut album from renowned Brazilian electric bassist and composer Moyses Dos Santos. A homecoming for the London-based artist, Moyses’ debut reconnects him with his North-Eastern roots while assembling an international cast of collaborators including legendary Brazilian arranger Arthur Verocai, US trumpet sensation Theo Croker and London-based vocal star Lynda Dawn.

After relocating from Brazil to London in the early 2000s, Moyses dos Santos quickly became one of the capitals’ most in-demand players, sharing stages, studios, and writing credits with best-selling artists including Nile Rodgers, Janelle Monáe, Emile Sandé, Gregory Porter and Omar.

In 2022, Moyses toured with Brazilian jazz-funk legends Azymuth, completing the rhythm section alongside Brazilian drumming master Ivan "Mamão" Conti. "It felt like he was my wise Brazilian grandfather figure." Moyses recalls. "When you spend so many years working internationally, you unconsciously start to leave certain parts of yourself behind. Mamão encouraged me to reconnect with Brazilian music, and that's where this record really began."

Artists

Moyses Dos Santos (voice, bass), Nick Ferraro (instrumentalist), Chris Eldred (instrumentalist), Josh Hawkins (instrumentalist), Lynda Dawn (instrumentalist), Alua Nascimento (instrumentalist, percussion), Francesco Mendolia (instrumentalist), Josh Short (instrumentalist), James Wade-Sired (instrumentalist, trombone), Miles Clinton James (instrumentalist, guitar, synthesizer), Troy Everett Pryor (instrumentalist, string section), Kiko Continentino (instrumentalist), Arthur Verocai, Theo Croker (trumpet, instrumentalist), Ankit Suri (instrumentalist), Charlie Allen (instrumentalist), Odael Rodrigues (instrumentalist, voice), Cláudio Baeta (instrumentalist, drums, percussion), João Victor Morais Santos (instrumentalist, keyboard, voice), Cláudio Aparecido Moro (instrumentalist, drums, percussion)