Aqui é o Meu Lá

1) Seven Dwarfs(Ricardo Herz) BR-UPM-12-00001
This was the first in the new series of compositions.
It’s a very happy tune, partly inspired by the joy of Gismonti’s song “7 Anéis” (7 Rings)—hence the name (and also because it’s in 7/4 time).
In it, we make use of various sounds from the trio: the drum solo, the pizzicato solo with an octave pedal, the violin solo, drums with violin… It has a jazz side, a more Brazilian side, and a funkier side.
Michi explores the 7-string guitar in a unique way, too.
Sometimes in the high register, sometimes in the low, sometimes with a swing feel or verylegato.It’s the song we’ve been using to close our shows.
I thought it would be a great opener for the CD!!
Credits:
Ricardo Herz:Violin and backing vocals
Pedro Ito:Drums/Percussion
Michi Ruzitchka:7-string guitar
Danilo Moraes:Chorus
Recorded by Alberto Ranelucci atNaCena Studios, in São Paulo.
Chorus recorded by Danilo Moraes and Ricardo Herz atChawama Studio, in São Paulo.

Segura!(Ricardo Herz) BR-UPM-12-00002
I started playing Brazilian music with forró, which remains one of the rhythms I enjoy playing most to this day.
This track features the brilliant clarinetist from Rio, Joana Queiroz.
I love her playing style; she even joined my trio for a series of shows in Rio.
For the album version, she came into the studio with us and delivered a beautiful, delicate solo.
When I played the track for Lucas dos Prazeres (percussion), he thought Pedro’s drum part was so beautiful that nothing else needed to be added—but when he heard the ending, he couldn’t resist asking if he could add a caxixi!
It turned into an interstate party!
Segura!!
Credits:
Ricardo Herz: Violin
Pedro Ito: Drums/Percussion
Michi Ruzitchka: 7-string guitar
Joana Queiroz: Clarinet
Lucas dos Prazeres: Caxixis
Recorded by Alberto Ranelucci at NaCena Studios, São Paulo.
Caxixis recorded by Jr. Evangelista at Estúdio Carranca, Recife.

Chamaoque?(Ricardo Herz) BR-UPM-12-00003
One day, while chatting at a bar with the great guitarist and composer Yamandú Costa, he asked me why I was studying outside Brazil.
He said I should explore the many rhythms that exist here in our country and asked if I knew Chamamé.
I replied, “Call what?…” Later, I realized it was a rhythm I had heard often on the gaúcho music tapes I listened to as a child!
I decided to compose this tribute to my paternal family, who are from the Gaúcho region.
Credits:
Ricardo Herz: Violin
Pedro Ito: Drums/Percussion
Michi Ruzitchka: 7-string guitar
Recorded by Alberto Ranelucci at NaCena Studios, São Paulo.

Minhoca(Ricardo Herz) BR-UPM-12-00004
This song started with an idea of ​​mine to compose a moto perpetuo (a type of music where the melody never stops).
At first, it was essentially a study for solo violin.
Since the foundation was choro, I later realized it would be cool to have the harmony and rhythm played as well—by the guitar and drums.
It turned into something almost like chamber music.
After a few modifications, it became this slightly quirky choro that I named “Minhoca” [Earthworm].
I dedicate this track to the choro community in São Paulo.
Credits:
Ricardo Herz: Violin
Pedro Ito: Drums/Percussion
Michi Ruzitchka: 7-string guitar
Recorded by Alberto Ranelucci at NaCena Studios, São Paulo.

Toada from yesterday to tomorrow(Ricardo Herz) BR-UPM-12-00005
For this one, I just wanted to create a beautiful melody to make the violin sing.
It turned out to be a very simple toada—almost a sertanejo song.
It is a tribute to my mother.
Credits:
Ricardo Herz: Violin
Pedro Ito: Drums/Percussion
Michi Ruzitchka: 7-string guitar
Recorded by Alberto Ranelucci at NaCena Studios, São Paulo.

Desvairando (Ricardo Herz, Pedro Ito, and Michi Ruzitchka) BR-UPM-12-00006
We decided to pay tribute to the composer Anibal Augusto Sardinha—known as Garoto—by improvising over the chords of his waltz “Desvairada”!
Credits:
Ricardo Herz: Violin
Pedro Ito: Drums/Percussion
Michi Ruzitchka: 7-string guitar
Recorded by Alberto Ranelucci at NaCena Studios, São Paulo

Saci(Ricardo Herz) BR-UPM-12-00007
Another composition from the new batch that isn’t based on any traditional rhythm, though it sounds distinctly Brazilian in spirit.
Its playful character made me think of the Saci character. The three parts symbolize his childhood, adolescence, and maturity.
At the beginning, he is simpler—just happy and mischievous.
Then he falls in love during the slow section, which is a tribute to the state of Minas.
In the third part, he returns with a more mature joy, featuring new tricks and harmonies.
Credits:
Ricardo Herz: Violin
Pedro Ito: Drums/Percussion
Michi Ruzitchka: 7-string guitar
Recorded by Alberto Ranelucci at NaCena Studios, São Paulo.

A Little Bit of Everything(Ricardo Herz) BR-UPM-12-00008
This song is based on a rhythm I learned from the French drummer—and great friend and colleague—Mathieu Gramoli.
It isn’t a traditional rhythm from any specific place, but rather one inspired by several.
Its sound has a touch of the Arab (in the quarter-tones of the violin solo), North African, and jazz influences, and even a pop side!
Hence the name… It truly represents the sound of my trio with Pedro and Michi: drums played almost like percussion, and the 7-string guitar used in a highly unconventional way.
I hope you enjoy it!!
Credits:
Ricardo Herz: Violin
Pedro Ito: Drums/Percussion
Michi Ruzitchka: 7-string guitar
Recorded by Alberto Ranelucci at NaCena Studios, São Paulo.

Odeon(Ernesto Nazareth) BR-UPM-12-00009
I always enjoy exploring the groovy side of the violin, and this well-known piece is perfect for that.
I started by learning Odeon to play in choro jam sessions, but then I realized it could work beautifully as a solo violin piece.
In fact, it seems tailor-made for it.
The chords sit perfectly under the fingers—or “right in the hand,” as we say.
The challenge is making it dance.
I hope I succeeded!
Credits:
Ricardo Herz: Solo violin
Recorded by Alberto Ranelucci at NaCena Studios, São Paulo.

Maghrebíase(Ricardo Herz and Danilo Moraes) BR-UPM-12-00010
A collaboration with the great musician and friend Danilo Moraes!
This song came about one day when he called to ask if I was free.
I was… When I arrived at his place, he said, “Record one of those crazy rhythms you like—from North Africa, the Maghreb.”
I recorded the vocal percussion and the initial pizzicato chords.
He added the melody and the second section, and I layered some violin parts on top.
That’s how it went.
A few finishing touches, and the song was ready.
It also features the amazing bassist João Taubkin—he absolutely nailed it!

Sad-Happy Waltz(Ricardo Herz) BR-UPM-12-00011
A waltz that plays a bit with nostalgia through its happy and sad sides… using major and minor keys.
I had recorded the backing track at home—featuring pizzicato on the tenor violin and violin, body percussion, and the melody.
For the album, it deserved special treatment.
I felt it would pair perfectly with the delicacy of Benjamim’s piano.
And it really did!
Credits:
Ricardo Herz: Violins, tenor violin, and body percussion
Benjamim Taubkin: Piano
Violins, tenor violin, and body percussion recorded by Ricardo Herz at Herz’s Mobile Studio.
Piano recorded by Alberto Ranelucci at NaCena Studios, São Paulo.

Almost Falling (Ricardo Herz) BR-UPM-12-00012

To wrap things up, a tribute to Dominguinhos!
This song already has a few versions: on the Terça Feira Trio album, in the show “Na Mira da Música Brasileira” (which can be watched on YouTube), and in a TV special in Olinda with Renata Rosa’s trio.
That special sparked the idea to record the collaboration with the Recife crew.
Everyone already had a history with the song.
Lucas, Pepê, and Renata had played in the TV special, while Hugo and Lucas had performed in “Na Mira.”
It wouldn’t have been the same without them!
I headed to Recife with my trio’s backing tracks ready, and I got more and more excited with each guest’s contribution!
The result is a pure celebration among close friends!
As Dominguinhos says: “Hey, what a great job!”

Credits:
Ricardo Herz: Violins and vocals
Pedro Ito: Drums/Percussion
Michi Ruzitchka: 7-string guitar
Lucas dos Prazeres: Pandeiro, shakers, agogô, gonguê, seed rattles, cymbals, pizza drum, and vocals
Pepê da Silva: Cavaquinhos, banjo, and bandola
Renata Rosa: rabeca (traditional Brazilian fiddle) and vocals
Hugo Linns: Viola dinâmica

RH Trio recorded by Alberto Ranelucci at NaCena Studios, São Paulo.
Guest contributions recorded by Jr. Evangelista at Estúdio Carranca, Recife.