Meretrio

Founded in 2004, Meretrio has spent more than two decades exploring the musical possibilities at the intersection of Brazilian traditions, jazz, and chamber music. Formed by three Brazilian musicians, the group has developed a distinctive sound that combines original compositions, rhythmic complexity, lyrical melodies, and a spirit of musical experimentation.

In 2024, Meretrio celebrated its 20th anniversary with the release of its 11th album, marking another milestone in the band’s ongoing creative journey. The trio’s music draws inspiration from Afro-Brazilian traditions while embracing the freedom of jazz and the textures of chamber music. Through an inventive approach to instrumentation, the three musicians move between guitar, bass, drums, trombone, percussion, and live looping, creating a rich and ever-evolving sonic landscape.

Over the years, Meretrio has also developed fruitful collaborations with other musicians. Its projects with renowned flutist and saxophonist Heinrich von Kalnein, associated with the Jazz Bigband Graz, resulted in two albums: Live at the Bird’s Eye and Passagem.

In 2021, the trio released an album dedicated to Brazilian musical traditions, with a particular focus on Choro — a genre that emerged in nineteenth-century Brazil and played a fundamental role in the development of Brazilian urban music. The album received a nomination for the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik. Meretrio’s 2016 release, Óbvio, earned a four-star review from DownBeat magazine, while the 2019 double album Music for Small and Large Ensembles further showcased the group’s versatility and compositional ambition.

In 2027, Meretrio continues to expand its musical horizons through new recordings featuring special guest guitarist Paulo Morello, professor at the Jazz Institute Berlin, as well as a new quintet album featuring saxophonist Joander Cruz and percussionist Chico Santana. These projects reflect the band’s ongoing commitment to collaboration, experimentation, and the exploration of new connections between Brazilian music and jazz.

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