Marco Túlio: Press

L.A. based Brazilian guitarist/composer Marco Túlio has released his début CD "Eleven Bridges". Joined by some of the most proficient Brazilian jazz musicians in town, he offers a varied selection of originals, which manifest his eclectic influences. Cool and pretty melodies in tasteful harmonies are enlivened by a pallet of Brazilian rhythms and a more than a tinge of jazz.
The CD opens with a lively samba funk (in partido alto clave), "Six Brothers", inspired by the composer's own family, which ends in a festive "batucada" featuring master percussionist Cassio Duarte. "Offhand" is a straight-ahead piece in 4/4. "Caí no Frevo" is an infectious frevo in 2/4, mardi-gras music from Brazil's northeast. "Without Memories" is a beautiful bossa-nova, and "Seguindo o Eixo" is a straight-ahead piece in 5/4. The hypnotic ostinato bass line "came up" to the composer while driving through the Eixo, highway that runs through his native Brasília. He immediately wrote the first part but had to wait three years to come up with the bridge. The piece features a superb tenor solo by George Shelby. In "The Birth", Marco Túlio displays amazing acoustic guitar chops. His lyrically stunning performance is an introduction to "Emanuel", a dazzling ballad in 6/4. Darryll Richards' flute is sublime. Besides "The Birth", the guitarist plays harmonies on acoustic guitar in "Emanuel" and "Without Memories", but could successfully center his next project on his acoustic work.
An outstanding Brazilian jazz trio, formed by seasoned pianist Rique Pantoja, bassist Antonio Santanna and drummer Mike Shapiro, joins Marco Túlio in most tunes. Percussionist Cassio Duarte is a spicy addition. Bassist Ernest Tibbs and drummer Tim McIntyre come in the straight-ahead pieces.

His hands know a guitar with intimacy. His ears are tuned to every musical rhythm. When he is playing, Marco Túlio shows his professionalism and devotion to music.

Brazilian guitarist based in Los Angeles, Marco Túlio comes with a CD full of good surprises and great songs. With a team of first class musicians - Rique Pantoja (keyboards), Mike Shapiro (drums), George Shelby (sax), Cassio Duarte (percussion), Antonio Santanna (bass), among others - he reinforces the brazilian music tradition and adds a very interesting jazzy language. "Six Brothers" opens the CD with a great groove carrying a very rich and interesting melody played by Marco. You should pay attention to "Emanuel", specially because of the beautiful flute played by Darryll Richards. "The Birth" brings an acoustic moment by Marco on his nylon strings guitar. "Caí no Frevo" is exciting and full of interesting rhythm figures. It's worth to check this first solo CD by this brazilian guitarist living abroad, a very balanced work, full of great solos and well crafted melodies. Check it out!

"...The rhythm section is equally well-matched. Guitarist Marco Túlio proves himself both a solid accompanist and an adept soloist."