Cyro Baptista’s Banquet of the Spirits Perform Atlas Arts, November 13

1333 H St NE, Washington, DC | (202) 399-7993 | 8pm | $20-$28

“a joyous, carnival-like treat” — Joel Roberts, All About Jazz

“almost inexpressible poetic ecstasy… [Banquet of the Spirits] is undeniable in how provocative, powerful, and deeply enjoyable it is as a listening experience. Whether one relishes “progressive,” “modern,” “primitive,” “art,” or “pop” music, this one’s for you.” — Thom Jurek, All Music

“you feel like you’re listening to a captivating travelogue, as told by a group of nomads who are at home everywhere.” — Milo Miles, NPR




Cyro Baptista has emerged as one of the premier percussionists in the world since arriving in the United States from his native Brazil. As a performer and bandleader, he brings his unique charm and intense rhythmic drive to countless stages, numerous Grammy-winning recordings, and collaborations with myriad luminaries such as Paul Simon, Herbie Hancock, John Zorn, Yo-Yo Ma, Sting, Caetano Veloso and many others. Baptista’s many honors include being named DownBeat Critics Poll Percussionist of the Year in 2013 and 2011, Jazz Journalists Association Percussionist of the Year in 2010 and 2007, DRUM! Magazine’s Percussionist of the Year in 2004 and 2003, and U.S. Artists Walker Fellow in 2009–10.

With Banquet of the Spirits, Baptista leads a quartet with some of the most exciting musicians in the New York world music scene, combining Afro-Brazilian beats with improvised, experimental jazz trappings and an expansive tapestry of musics from around the world to create what All About Jazz calls “a diversity of sounds and colors that can’t be found anywhere else… it’s a must-listen.” Inspired by the Brazilian art movement known as “anthropofagia,” or cultural cannibalism, Banquet of the Spirits celebrates the ever-surprising sounds these musical adventurers have collected and consumed over the years.

Recent performances include successful concerts at Stanford Lively Arts, SFJAZZ, Salle Pleyel in Paris, the Earshot Jazz Festival in Seattle, The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, the Wharton Center in Michigan, Purdue University’s Loeb Playhouse, the Where is the Music? Festival in Japan, The Bimhuis in Amsterdam, and SESC Pompeia in São Paulo, Brazil. The group has put out three albums on John Zorn’s Tzadik label, each hailed by critics for their undeniable grooves and sheer elemental beauty.