Henrique Gomide & Jasper Somsen

Henrique Gomide - Piano
Jasper Somsen - Double Bass

During his 15-year collaboration with Challenge Records International, Dutch double bassist Jasper Somsen saw many new album releases. One very impressive release was the solo piano album “Portais” by the Brazilian pianist and composer Henrique Gomide, in 2023. In 2024, the musicians met during the international trade fair Jazzahead, in Bremen. Both musically and socially it turned out to work out very well, so naturally Henrique Gomide was at the top of the (long) wish list for the succesful Jasper Somsen Invites … concert series, in his hometown Wageningen (NL).

 

The digital EP “Samambaia” by the Brazilian pianist/composer Henrique Gomide and the Dutch double bassist/composer/producer Jasper Somsen is a brand new collaboration between two Challenge Records artists, who first met at the annual international Jazzahead trade fair 2024 in Bremen (Germany). The two internationally renowned musicians share their love for the European, American and Brazilian music tradition. Classical, Jazz and Brazilian music effortlessly blend in their compositions and improvisations. Their versatile and inspiring interplay is the natural sum of artistry, craftsmanship and a deep mutual respect.

The three tracks on the EP (Samambaia, Turtle Dreams and A New Dawn) were recorded live in duo at the beautiful former chapel and art gallery De Verzameling, Westervoort in The Netherlands, on March 6, 2025  The EP is the prelude for their quartet album, which is scheduled for a Challenge Records release in the fall of 2026.

The EP will be released as three digital singles:

June 13, 2025 – Samambaia (C. Camargo Mariano)
June 27, 2025 – Turtle  Dreams (H. Gomide)
July 11, 2025 – A  New Dawn (J. Somsen)

HENRIQUE GOMIDE – JASPER SOMSEN – Samambaia

HENRIQUE GOMIDE – JASPER SOMSEN – Turtle Dreams

HENRIQUE GOMIDE – JASPER SOMSEN – Full Circles

Brazilian pianist Henrique Gomide has a diverse musical background that ranges from classical music to the roots of Brazilian music and jazz. During his career, Gomide has collaborated and recorded with well-known Brazilian musicians such as Toninho Horta, Yamandu Costa, Guinga, Mateus Aleluia and Paulo Bellinati, as well as European jazz greats Tony Lakatos, John Ruocco, Matthias Schriefl and others. With his piano trio, Caixa Cubo, from São Paulo, he has released seven albums and has performed extensively in Brazil, France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, England and Mozambique. In 2024, the trio released their debut album under the British label Far Out Recordings.

In 2023, Henrique Gomide released his first solo album, Portais (Challenge Records), which received praise in the international media. Together with Dutch violinist Daphne Oltheten, Gomide forms the Duo Brasis, which has recorded albums with works by Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert, Brahms and two albums with chamber arrangements of MPB classics and hidden gems.
During his study trip, Gomide studied jazz piano with Geri Allen, Juraj Stanik, Michele Rosewoman and Oscar Perez, as well as classical piano with Hermes Jacchieri, José Eduardo Martins, Paulo Álvares and David Witten, among others.

Dutch double bassist, composer and producer Jasper Somsen graduated in both Jazz and Classical double bass. He is an open minded versatile musician. Best known as a Jazz musician his field of interest and expertise also includes cross overs to classical, pop, world and film music and theater productions. Jasper has collaborated with some of the very best musicians on the international jazz scene including Peter Erskine, Enrico Pieranunzi, Joey Calderazzo, Jeff Ballard, John Beasley, Jean-Michel Pilc, Eric Marienthal, Bob Sheppard, Seamus Blake, Jorge Rossy, Kendrick Scott, Justin Faulkner, André Ceccarelli, Gary Husband, Gabriele Mirabassi and Paolo Fresu.

Both musicians are appointed at the faculty Jazz & Pop of the University of The Arts ArtEZ, Arnhem (NL).

MEDIA-INFO-TECHNICAL-RIDER-HENRIQUE GOMIDE-JASPER-SOMSEN (PDF - Download)