It is safe to say the CD Sobre Palavras should be seen as a true display of group work, the artistic result of a strong character singer, Verônica Ferriani, the composer – arranger – instrumentalist Chico Saraiva and surprisingly contemporary Mauro Aguiar. The CD already has to show for itself being one of the two CDs from São Paulo to have won the Pixinguinha prize in 2009. Besides the prize, it is one of the first CDs to be launched through the Borandá record label, and it counts on Tratore’s distribution. Chico and Verônica’s partnership goes way back. It started when the guitar player invited her to take part in the tour of his album Trégua (2003). Since then, a strongly built musical partnership can be seen. Mauro on the other hand, has been in the picture since he wrote some songs for Chico’s Saraivada (2007). From then on, it was just a matter of time for the three of them to start working together. Finally in 2008, Saraiva decided to write melodies for lyrics that had already been written, and he chose no other than Mauro’s lyrics. Chico was so happy with the project’s outcome, he decided to make an album of it. Winning the Pixinguinha award showed him he had made a wise decision. In each of Sobre Palavras’ songs, all of the individual creativity and talent of each of the three musicians is seen in perfect sync with a generation that yearns showing the world a new angle to already known musical possibilities. Chico enlightens: “We have brought together Mauro’s poetry, my particular way to compose and arrange and Verônica’s unmatchable singing in such a wonderful manner, that this project has become extremely meaningful to all of our careers. The songs can be found on the website www.sobrepalavras.com.br and some can be downloaded for free. CHICO SARAIVA Chico Saraiva was born in Rio de Janeiro, raised in Santa Catarina and since 1995 calls São Paulo his home. Ever since his debut with the album Água (mcd/1999), sophistication and a popular appeal are seen in his work. He admits Villa-Lobos, Edu Lobo and Guinga have strongly influenced his music. He is undoubtedly one of the best musicians of an entire generation, and winning the 6th Visa MPB composer’s award goes to show just that. With the award, he was able to launch the album Trégua (Biscoito Fino/2003), which the french magazine “Les Inrockuptibles” called a “true masterpiece”. His third album Saraivada (Biscoito Fino/2007) also deserved innumerous prestigious press reviews. Besides making music, he also studies it. Chico is one of the co-founders of the paulistano (from São Paulo) group A Barca, which, since 1998, does research on popular Brazilian music. As part of his latest project, in November 2009, he will perform in the Duo Saraiva-Murray with guitar player Daniel Murray, in Paris. VERONICA FERRIANI Paulista (native of São Paulo) Verônica Ferriani, is more than just a pleasant surprise in the musical universe. Besides participating in Sobre Palavras, she is working on the publicity for her first solo CD, Verônica Ferriani, produced by BiD and launched in February 2009. Her flawless performance does not give away a relatively new 5-year career in the music business, which she started in 2004 as lead singer in Chico Saraivas’ band. From that point on, she has done a whole lot. She has shared the stage with Beth Carvalho, Jair Rodrigues, Martinho da Vila, Tom Zé, Marcelo D2 and Moska, has recorded with Lúcio Maia (Nação Zumbi) and Flávio Henrique and sang Ivan Lins’ songs on the TV special Som Brasil (TV Globo, 2007). She has performed in importante samba houses in Rio de Janeiro, such as Carioca da Gema, in the traditional Lapa neighborhood, and São Paulo’s Traço da União and Ó do Borogodó. Last but definitely not least, she is part of the Gafieira São Paulo, which performed for two years non-stop at Tom Jazz, in São Paulo. MAURO AGUIAR Mauro Aguiar is a carioca (native of Rio de Janeiro), of baiano (native of Bahia) and paulista (native of São Paulo) grandparents and therefore considers himself “a multi-person, walking the thin line between the limits of reality and the madness of the impossible, a song-writer and singer with an immeasurable passion for music which brings some peace to his troubled soul.” Nowadays finishing up the work on his first CD Transeunte, he has been a Visa Award Composers Edition finalist twice in a row. His songs have been recorded by Ivan Lins, Fátima Guedes, Zeca Pagodinho, Zélia Duncan, Mônica Salmaso and Paula Santoro. He often works with Guinga, Zé Miguel Wisnik, Zé Paulo Becker, Edu Kneip, Mário Séve, Rodrigo Lessa and João Nabuco. BORANDA Brazilian music needs yet to be fully discovered by the public and the market alike, both in Brazil and abroad. The record label Borandá intends to make that discovery possible through its never seen before way of producing and promoting Brazilian art and culture. The name Borandá alone is an evidence of the label’s essence. It is the name of a song written by famous Brazilian composer Edu Lobo, and also a popular expression in the northeastern part of Brazil, which means “Let’s get going”. Borandá works with its artists through the original “360 degrees” concept. In other words, it is so much more than just a record label, for it also promotes concerts, helps out with song edition and works on marketing and selling of products. Borandá is aware of the Internet’s strength and possibilities nowadays and therefore uses it to disclose its work. Integrating the virtual world with concerts in Brazil and abroad, it will surely succeed in its mission to take the magic and diversity of Brazilian music to new audiences, making it possible for thought through strategies and innovation to help out Brazilian artistic musical production.