20 years of dedication to the expression of rich Brazilian Culture through the Music
"The perfect partnership between Tomati and Michelle started in 2005 at São Paulo, Brazil. Tomati graduated in 1985 from CLAM, the Zimbo Trio's brazilian music school; and in 1987 from Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood, CA. Tomati is considered an icon of brazilian guitar, he is very famous in Brazil for being the guitarist of the house band on a TV talk show Programa do Jô. Michelle also studied at CLAM and graduated in Popular Singing and Music Therapy at Tom Jobim University in São Paulo, both in 2004. Tomati invited Michelle Spinelli to make special appearances in his show with Tomati Power Trio. Tomati’s trio that presents his original brazilian jazz rock songs and contemporary Bossa Nova arrangements, featuring Michelle performing the brazilian songs they both love. Together they began to develop their musical language as a quartet, crossing the country and became known by fans as The Fusion Couple.
The combination was perfect and they toured and performed regularly with the quartet in the most important music clubs in the country. Including Bar Brahma, located in one of the most famous addresses in downtown São Paulo, on the corner of Ipiranga and São João Avenues. An average of seven hundred visitors per day with a fixed schedule of shows, where exponents of Brazilian Popular Music regularly perform. And the Bourbon Street Music Club is awarded nationally and internationally as one of the best jazz and blues clubs in Brazil and in the world. In addition to theaters, festivals, national and international events.
After two years on the road with the quartet, they spent some time in New York immersing themselves in the city's music scene. When they returned to Brazil, the Duo was sure to record an album with a repertoire exclusively of Brazilian Music: Som de Casa (Sound of Home). Michelle Spinelli and Tomati interpret new arrangements of classics of composers such as: Tom Jobim, Dorival Caymmi, Chico Buarque and others. The album earned the duet some great reviews, several press appearances, TV shows and appearances in european tours as special guests.
In 2015 there were more than forty concerts around the island of Corsica (FR) with Rene Nunes Band and Brazilian Day in Stockholm (SE), Uppsala Guitar Festival (SE) opening for Hermeto Pascoal, Copenhagen Jazz Festival (DK) as special guests of musician and producer Rubem Farias.
In 2020, Carlos and Michelle moved to the United States chasing higher levels for their Music. With the lack of the other musicians of the quartet, after 15 years playing together, they invested in the evolution of their sound. Tomati found a way to get the sound of a bass guitar on his guitar, to record himself playing chords and play them back to improvise over. While Michelle started playing percussion on a shaker, and that is how they created the Bossa Fusion Duo: The Duo that sounds like a quartet. Sometimes as a quintet. And since the global quarantine they have broadcast over a hundred live streams on their social medias weekly from the Little Brazil Miami Beach. In addition, they are recording the new album and videos in partnership with the Land of Giantz by music producer Sérgio Cavalieri to be released this year.
A Unique Performance
The mood of the Duo's music is the fusion environment. Created by Tomati's electric guitar, heartwarming brazilian harmonies, jazz and blues improvisations. Accompanied by Michelle's unique and powerful interpretations in highly complex versions, scat singing, all while playing the shakers and dancing. Her voice is crystal clear and always precise making the exquisite melodies shine together along with the arrangements and grooves of Tomati, a wizard of sound on guitar. Together they make Brazilian Music with a fusion of jazz, blues and afro-sambas elements, which makes their style unique, elegant, sophisticated and at the same time electric and sexy. Carlos Tomati - Classical & electric guitar: harmony, solo, bass and whistle. Michelle Spinelli - Vocals & shaker: scat singing, rhythm and dance. The show is like the duo, accurate, exuberant and tasteful. It really does sound like a quartet! A fresh and cool performance with interpretations that enchant listeners, inspiring the audience. From a super soft bossa to a wild fusion style, they take the audience into a brazilian tropical trance! A must see!"
