| Latin Jazz |
A Bold, Lyrical Triumph: Ryan Keberle’s Sixth Album Melds Brazilian Spirit and Brass Soul
It’s rare that an album commands attention so swiftly and decisively as the latest release from trombonist Ryan Keberle and his ensemble, Catharsis. This sixth studio effort is a genuine revelation, not merely because it is exquisitely arranged and thoughtfully constructed, but because it achieves what once might have seemed improbable: placing the trombone front and center in the vibrant, rhythm-laced world of Brazilian jazz, and doing so with breathtaking elegance.
The trombone, often relegated to the background or used sparingly for color and emphasis, takes on a romantic, leading role here, a creative risk that pays off handsomely. Keberle’s melodic phrasing, coupled with imaginative arrangements, creates sweeping, cinematic passages that feel at once grounded in tradition and fearlessly experimental. The result is an album that doesn’t just adhere to the conventions of Brazilian jazz, but elevates them, infusing each track with lyrical depth and unexpected emotional resonance. It’s a masterful turn, one that stands as a high-water mark in Keberle’s already distinguished discography.
Catharsis, Keberle’s long-running group, retains its core lineup: bassist Jorge Roeder, drummer Eric Doob, and the incandescent vocalist and guitarist Camila Meza, who joined the band in 2013. The ensemble is rounded out here by the ever-versatile saxophonist Scott Robinson, who has contributed his talents since 2018. Together, they operate with the kind of deep, intuitive cohesion that only comes with years of shared creative purpose.
Meza’s presence is particularly striking, not merely because of her shimmering vocal contributions, but also due to her recent solo work, which has been turning heads in jazz circles. Readers may recall our recent review of her stunning album Portal, where her voice seemed to dance between genres and emotional states with effortless grace (review here).
In Keberle’s own words, “Music brought us together over a decade ago, offering us the rare chance to form a shared musical language and a profound trust in one another — something for which I’m deeply grateful.” That trust is palpable in every note of this record. It is the sound of artists who have traveled together, literally and figuratively, from Tokyo to Arcata, from Cologne to Cork. They have carried their music across continents, sharing a belief that sonic connection fosters emotional insight. “Music,” Keberle continues, “can sharpen our perception, deepen our ability to feel, and, if we let it, make the world more empathetic.”
Indeed, this album is not just music; it is communion. It is an invitation to remember that rhythm is as ancient as our species, that since time immemorial, humans have gathered around fires, using sound to celebrate, mourn, resist, and unite. The heartbeat of the drum mirrors the heartbeat of the body. The rise and fall of melody taps into the rhythms of breath and memory. In this way, Catharsis lives up to its name, drawing listeners into a collective emotional space that is at once deeply personal and universally accessible.
There are moments, to be sure, when one might wish for subtler percussion, a more delicate, hand-played rhythm that leans even further into Brazil’s percussive tapestry. But these are minor quibbles. The production, while bold, never overpowers the nuanced interplay between brass, strings, and voice. It’s worth noting that great production often requires stepping back, entrusting the reins to an outside ear to finesse the final brushstrokes. Still, what’s here is polished, poignant, and above all, deeply human.
Complex, joyful, visionary, to borrow the words of a certain fictional philosopher, this album is all that and more. It’s an essential listen for anyone who believes that jazz, in all its global permutations, still has the power to surprise us, to move us, and, just maybe, to bring us a little closer together.
Thierry De Clemensat
Member at Jazz Journalists Association
USA correspondent for Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief – Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, June 19th 2025
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Tracklist:
- Throwback Moves (RyanKeberle)
- Sound Energy (RyanKeberle)
- Lo Unico Que Tengo (Victor Jara)
- C Sharp (Jorge Roeder)
- Key Adjustment (RyanKeberle)
- Vera Cruz (Milton Nascimento)
- Sonic Living (RyanKeberle)
- Eric’s Tune (EricDoob)
- Arbor Vitae (RyanKeberle)
- Shine Intro (collectively composed)
- Shine (RyanKeberle)
All arrangements by Ryan Keberle except Track 3 (Camila Meza), Track 4 (Jorge Roeder), and Track 8 (Eric Doob).
Musicians:
Ryan Keberle – Trombone, Wurlitzer, Roland Juno Synth, Piano, Vocals
Camila Meza – Vocals, Guitar, Guitar FX
Scott Robinson – Tenor Saxophone (track 9)
Jorge Roeder – Acoustic Bass
Eric Doob – Drums, Percussion
Ryan Keberle plays Kühnl & Hoyer trombones
Paulinho Vicente plays RMV drums & drumheads and Istanbul Mehmet cymbals
Produced by Ryan Keberle
Recorded at Figure 8 studio in Brooklyn, NY on September 6 & 7, 2023, and April 18, 2024
Tenor Saxophone solo recorded at Sciensonic Laboratories
Engineered by Michael Coleman and Katie Von Schleicher
Edited by Eric Doob and Alex Venguer
Mixed by Alex Venguer
Mastered by Tyler McDiarmid
Artwork and Design by Ktu Meza