Leo Minax
If we’re talking about composition, and if the criterion is originality and sophistication, Leo Minax is undoubtedly one of the biggest names among Brazilian musicians of his generation. Based in Madrid for many years, he has already released nine albums in Spain with different proposals and backgrounds, commercialised by different record labels. Almost all of his productions have been recorded live in the studio, a criterion with which the artist opts for freedom, freshness in interpretation and improvisation. As a composer and performer, he has long since developed his own unique musical discourse, restless and always open to experimentation.
In addition to his suggestive harmonies, the rhythmic richness of his creations and his freedom of interpretation, Leo Minax’s work also stands out for the texts of his songs, their creativity and poetic inspiration. In Brazil, his career is associated with the names of Toninho Horta, Vitor Ramil, Arnaldo Antunes, Ronaldo Bastos and Moska, among other great artists, as collaborators or co-authors of his songs.
His music has been recorded by Uruguay’s Jorge Drexler, Mexico’s Ximena Sariñana, Brazil’s Joyce and Spain’s Ana Belén. She has shared the stage with important artists such as Mexico’s Eugenia León, Argentina’s Lisandro Aristimuño, Chile’s Francesca Ancarola and Spain’s Iván Ferreiro, Miguel Ríos, Miguel Poveda and Javier Ruibal. He has toured many countries, taking his music to different continents. He has composed with great Spanish composers such as Pablo Guerrero, Diego Vasallo, Pedro Guerra and Luis Pastor.
He is currently developing a project, parallel to his solo career, with the quintet of Danish musician Steen Rasmussen, with whom he has released two albums in recent years. Spanish producer Suso Saiz has produced four of the nine albums released by Minax in Spain.
“Leo does it organically and you hardly notice the rhythmic complexity, the refined music that comes out of his guitar and his impeccable touch. The absurdly poetic lyrics flow down your throat like water. His current work has undoubtedly reached the maturity of this quest. And he presents, with the luminous complicity of his acoustic trio, a stimulating sound, full of creative adventure.” Chico Amaral
“… The trio opens and closes like a valve, squeezing Minax, then releasing him again, but always in favour of the songs. It’s a difficult balance: finding the freedom of improvised music and, at the same time, the calm control required of a singer/songwriter. Jazz, pop and chamber music come together in this delicate balancing act.” Leo Sidran
“…My wish is that Leo Minax’s music can be played here in Brazil (…) and that Brazilians have access to these delicacies prepared with our ingredients, so far from home. Intelligence flies, but affection always feels nostalgic. Wherever the songbird is, here or there… Leo, fly away, but come back! Your songs are a generous gift to Brazil, which needs them so much, even if it doesn’t know how to receive them.” Chico César
“What I knew at first sight was that I was in front of an enormous artist, one of the few who has his own voice (…) Leo’s music is a-geographical, because it’s from all geographies, that’s why he’s been in Madrid for thirty years, but he could have been in Oslo or Kuala Lumpur for thirty years, or he could have been in Aramaic, or Finnish or Guarani. Because what is essentially good doesn’t depend on variables that have to do with time and space.” Daniel Drexler
“We’ve written some songs together, sung them together, recorded them together and watched the last cats of the dawn in hiding. (…) Leo Minax’s music is good for us: it gives the world a little more light and fixes the stiffened gears of pleasure. Voluptuousness in half a voice: a fine rain that lightens the darkness of the soul.” Diego Vasallo
“…Innovative, creative, a master of composition, totally in tune with his time, Leo Minax gives us the conviction that composition is something transformative, always (…).” LôBorges