Di Stéffano Group

Di Stéffano: an innovative talent on the Brazilian jazz scene. Based in Brasília, Di Stéffano was born in Natal in northeastern Brazil. He stands out as one of the original musicians of his generation. His music shows an intrinsic refinement rooted in the deep traditions of Brazilian rhythm and the sonic experience of contemporary jazz, marking his artistic trajectory with a wide palette of sounds strongly anchored in improvisation.

Di Stéffano draws inspiration from the vibrant rhythms of the Northeast, such as frevo and baião, translating them into a musical language that combines rhythmic-harmonic completeness with unique sensitivity. His discography, which includes the recent album Liberdade para Voar (Freedom to Fly), demonstrates significant international reach and the ability to fuse diverse elements into an authentic, personal artistic expression. His music is inspired by great masters such as Ivan Lins, Dominguinhos, Jack DeJohnette, Herbie Hancock, Yellowjackets and Brian Blade, reinterpreting jazz with a careful approach that gives it a fresh sonic perspective, ranging from jazz to samba, blues, R&B, baião, frevo, maracatu and Afro-Latin groove.

Di Stéffano represents an original voice in the global musical landscape, blending tradition and innovation with great refinement. At the festival concert he will present his most recent album; the group will perform Di Stéffano’s expressive compositions, showcasing each musician. As he says, “As a drummer, composer and bandleader, my role changes every minute; it can be sustaining a powerful beat or connecting deeply with the audience. My goal is for each listener to leave the performance feeling invigorated by the sounds and vibrations.” “Few artists today embody Brazil so well — a sophisticated musical tradition of African origin.”

Di Stéffano – dr; Diana Mota – fl, voc; Tomáš Jochmann – p; TBA – b.