Antonio Carlos & Jocafi, Adrian Younge, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad - Antonio Carlos & Jocafi JID026

Antônio Carlos & Jocafi, the Bahian duo whose work has shaped Brazilian music for decades, align with Jazz Is Dead on Jazz Is Dead 026, a collaboration rooted in instinct, kinship, and shared musical language. Introduced to Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad by Beto Barreto of Baiana System, the connection was immediate. “The first time we met, it was like family,” the duo recall—a feeling that set the tone for what followed.

Invited to Los Angeles, Antônio Carlos & Jocafi arrived with a handful of ideas and built the record in the moment. Songs took shape through improvisation and feel rather than preconception, reflecting Jazz Is Dead’s commitment to live creation and analog warmth. The sessions honour Bahia’s rhythmic and melodic traditions while allowing space for soul, jazz, and groove to flow naturally.

Younge’s deep engagement with Brazilian culture—its rhythms, histories, and emotional undercurrents—resonated strongly with the duo. The result is a record that feels both grounded and outward-looking, connecting Salvador’s Mercado Modelo to a wider musical conversation without losing its sense of place. Jazz Is Dead 026 stands as a confident statement of continuity, curiosity, and creative vitality.