Double bass player and composer, Carlos Bica, is one of the most prolific and innovative sound artists of Portugal. Known for his lyrical tone on the double bass, Bica has the rare ability to write melodies that essentially are songs without words, haunting and unforgettable. “Both a remarkable composer and musician who knows how to mix his folkloric, lyrical roots with any modern style he encounters” (Double Bassist).
Among the several musical projects he leads along with various dance, theatre and film projects, his trio AZUL with Frank Möbus and Jim Black has become his showcase as a bass player and composer. His debut album, “Azul”, recorded for Polygram (Universal), features guitar player Frank Möbus and drummer Jim Black, and special guests, singer, Maria João and, trombone player, Ray Anderson. It was voted “Best jazz record of the year” in Portugal in 1996 and it’s widely accepted as the best Portuguese jazz album ever done. Azul’s next albums, “Twist” (1999), “Look What They’ve Done To My Song” (2003) and “Believer” (2006), „Things About“ (2011), „More Than This“ (2017), „Azul in Ljubljana“ (2018) have received international critical acclaim. In 2019 Carlos Bica recorded „I Am The Escaped One“ (Clean Feed Records) featuring Daniel Erdmann on tenor sax and DJ Illvibe on turntables, two major voices in the European jazz scene. „I Am The Escaped One“ was nominated for the „Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik“.
„Playing with Beethoven“, Bica’s new project, features Daniel Erdmann (tenor, and soprano sax), João Barradas (accordion), DJ Illvibe (turntables) and Carlos Bica (double bass, composition). This is the unusual cast that sets out to rediscover Beethoven’s legacy. „Playing with Beethoven“ was released in June 2023 by Clean Feed Records and was nominated for the „Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik“. In June 2024 Bica released a new album entitled „11:11“ (Clean Feed Records). For this project, Carlos Bica invited saxophonist José Soares, vibraphonist Eduardo Cardinho and guitarist Gonçalo Neto. The difference in generations is an asset to this project, which features some of the most talented and creative musicians from a new generation of Portuguese musicians. He has played at the most important festivals in Europe, Canada and Asia and collaborated with musicians such as Ray Anderson, Kenny Wheeler, Aki Takase, Kurt Rosenwinkel, John Zorn, Lee Konitz, Maria João, Mário Laginha, Alexander von Schlippenbach, Matthias Schubert, Gebhard Ullmann, David Friedman, Axel Dörner, Claudio Puntin, João Paulo Esteves da Silva, John Ruocco, among many others.
In the traditional music of his native Portugal – o fado – he performed and recorded several albums with singer Carlos do Carmo, the best known musician of this popular genre. Among further important and inspiring authorities of the Portuguese musical tradition with whom Carlos Bica has performed and recorded rank such names as – José Mário Branco, Camané, Cristina Branco, Pedro Caldeira Cabral and Janita Salomé.
More info: www.carlosbica.com
Selected Discography:
• Maria João Quintet – “Conversa” (1986)
• Cal Viva – “Cal Viva” (1989)
• Maria João & Cal Viva – “Sol” (1991)
• Carlos Bica & Azul – “Azul” feat. Ray Anderson and Maria João (1996)
• João Paulo/Carlos Bica/Peter Epstein – “O exílio” (1998)
• Carlos Bica & Azul – “Twist” (1999)
• João Paulo/Carlos Bica/Peter Epstein – “Almas” (2000)
• Paul Brody’s Tango Toy – “Klezmer Stories” (2000)
• Carlos Bica & Ana Brandão – “DIZ” (2001)
• Gebhard Ullman feat. Carlos Bica – “Essencia” (2001)
• Paul Brody’s Tango Toy – “The South Klezmer Suite” (2003)
• Carlos Bica & Azul – “Look What They’ve Done To My Song” (2003)
• Tuomi – “Tightrope Walker” (2005)
• Sven Klammer – “Nevs” (2005) feat. John Ruoco • Carlos Bica – “Single” (solo album) (2005)
• Uwe Steinmetz – European Art Ensemble – “”Stations on the road to freedom” (2005)
• Carlos Bica & Azul – “Believer” (2006) • Bica-Klammer-Kalima – “A Chama do Sol” (2006)
• Tuomi – “The Expense of Spirit” (2007)
• Ulrike Haage – “Die Stille hinter den Worten” (2008)
• João Paulo plays Carlos Bica “White Works” (2009)
• Carlos Bica – “Matéria-Prima” (2010)
• Carlos Bica & Azul – “Things About” (2011)
• Move String Quartet – “El Camino” (2013)
• Carlos Bica & Azul – „More Than This“ (2017)
• Move String Quartet – „Short Stories“ (2018)
• Carlos Bica & Azul „Azul in Ljubljana“ (2018)
• Carlos Bica „I Am The Escaped One“ feat. Daniel Erdmann, DJ Illvibe (2019)
• Carlos Bica „Playing with Beethoven“ feat. Daniel Erdmann, João Barradas, DJ Illvibe (2023)
• Carlos Bica Quartet – „11:11“ (2024)