Gatos do Sul (southern cats) is the result of a commission by John Zorn for the premiere of a new work and ensemble to be presented at National Sawdust in 2017 (Brooklyn, NY).  I had long wanted to write music inspired by my journey into Brazilian music.  I was first introduced into the rhythms of northeastern Brazil through the unique lens of master percussionist Cyro Baptista and his ensemble Beat the Donkey.  I joined Beat the Donkey in 2003 and I could never have imagined what was to follow.  In the twenty years since, I have toured around the globe and have met musicians from many musical traditions.  Brazilian music has remained close to my heart and in 2017 I decided to pay homage to Cyro and the many Brazilian musicians who welcomed me into their world by starting to compose the music for Gatos do Sul.  Around that time, I had discovered the music of Brazilian composer Ernesto Nazareth; my friend Thiago Cury gifted me a complete set of Nazareth’s solo piano music (edited by Thiago himself!) Nazareth’s mix of classical, pop and Brazilian aesthetics really appealed to me.  I had long been a lover of Brazilian composers like Hermeto Pascoal, Egberto Gismonti and Heitor Villa-Lobos.  So my compositions that followed definitely have influences from these luminaries but I was not trying to write ‘Brazilian music’ per ce.  More of an impressionist’s view that has spent time in a world but writing from the outside- much like Frederic Chopin’s Waltzes (which are impressions of the dance, not to be danced to.) While some of the rhythms will be instantly recognized by those acquainted with samba, maracatu, baio, and Choro, I believe these songs are more personal and reflect the life experiences of being a student, collaborator and friend of Cyro Baptista.  I wanted to say thank you for taking me along and showing me Brazil through kaleidoscopic glasses.  The musicians that I assembled for Gatos are some of my favorite on the planet and have all given themselves fully to the music.  Gatos do Sul was recorded in 2019 and released on John Zorn’s label Tzadik in early 2020.  Unfortunately because of the pandemic, CD release shows were not able to happen.  The album, however, did receive limited acclaim and received a 4 star review in Downbeat and chosen by Downbeat as a Best Album of 2020.