Pianist, singer and composer from Sao Paulo, Brazil, Abelita Mateus is passionate about Brazilian Music. She studied classical piano in her teens, and gradually developed a passion for jazz. In Brazil she has performed with such great artists as Vinicius Dorin, Raul de Souza and Hermeto Pascoal. Living in New York since 2012, Abelita has become immersed in the jazz scene and is applying the “new sounds” into her own music, as a performer and composer.

Mateus is currently the pianist for the Dizzy Gillespie Afro-Cuban Experience, directed by Dizzy Gillespie alumni John Lee. She has performed with such notables as Paquito D’Rivera, John Lee, The Dizzy Gillespie Big Band, Antonio Hart, Eric Alexander, Larry Coryell, Claudio Roditi, Raul de Souza, Hermeto Pascoal, Dave Stryker, Romero Lubambo, and Portinho.

Itaiguara Mariano Brandão (born October 31, 1968) is a New York City-based recording artist and bassist. A native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Brandão has toured internationally and recorded extensively with a wide range of Latin and World Music artists such as: Dianne Reeves, Ivan Lins, Marcos Valle, Toquinho, Carlos Lyra, Roberto Menescal, Leny Andrade, Joyce (singer), Paulo Braga, Randy Brecker, Dom Salvador, Paquito D'Rivera, Claudio Roditi, Robin Eubanks, Jovino Santos-Neto, Emílio Santiago, Elba Ramalho, Guilherme Arantes, Romero Lubambo, Léo Gandelman among many others. He has recorded on major labels such as Sony BMG as well as on numerous independent labels. Brandão has been one of the most sought-after Brazilian bassists in the Northeast and freelance musicians in the United States, having completed nearly 6,500 performances in the past 25 years.