"A composer's composer, a musician's musician, Gaudencio Thiago de Mello remains one of the best kept secrets in both the Jazz and Brazilian contemporary scenes. I cherish his first album, “The Music of Thiago” - (AMAZON) - recorded in 1973... at the famous Sound Ideas Studio in New York City. It's... a very special jewel." Arnaldo DeSouteiros, Tribuna da Imprensa Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ____ "...His compositions...are beautiful. But they are also gentle, hypnotic, bewitching and beguiling." The Boston Globe USA ____ “Five are the essential elements of Life: the Air, the Planet, The Water, The Fire and Ithamara Koorax’s voice!”. Armando Nogueira, journalist TV Globo, Rio de Janeiro Brazil __ The Critics Speak... As COMPOSER: "I have been a performing musician for a quarter of a century and have had the privilege to tour the world wearing different musical 'hats'. Hundreds of concerts and few that are spiritually memorable. I can count on one hand the musical collaborations that have the spiritual effect on me that Thiago's artistry has had. Thiago's art is sincere and pure; his gifts speak from the heart of goodness. The world would be a more peaceful place if the folks that live on it were exposed to what Thiago is trying to communicate. And, I have no plans to buy any armor in the near future! Thank you, Thiago and God Bless." Bil Jackson Principal Clarinet, Colorado Symphony Artist-Faculty, Aspen Music Festival Artist-Faculty, University of Northern Colorado "Gaudêncio é daqueles artistas nacionais considerados estrelas do primeiro time de instrumentistas internacionais mas que são praticamente desconhecidos em seu próprio país.... A músicade Gaudêncio não se resume... em esquisitices de percussão... É o que o aluno de bateria da escola de música, Nélson Júnior, 18 anos, gosta de chamar de fusion. 'Ele é moderno, mas ao mesmo tempo mistura elementos eruditos', descreveu ao final do show. Análises à parte, Júnior mandou seu recado: 'os brasileiros precisam conhecer Gaudêncio'." André Garcia, Correio Braziliense, Brasília __ "...His compositions...are beautiful. But they are also gentle, hypnotic, bewitching and beguiling." The Boston Globe ___ As PERFORMER: "Workinkg with Thiago created new dimensions of rhythm, color and nuance. His wizardry at the helm of such exotic instruments as the rain stick, berimbau, jungle's mouth and tortoise shell evoked the spirit and image of the rain forest itself." Sharon Isbin, Classical guitarist, Grammy Winner ____ "... Thiago de Mello is a genius of percussion." Jay Hoffman, WCBS News Radio New York City, USA ____ "On a range of instruments, Thiago de Mello produced extraordinary sounds. He's one of those percussionists who constantly plays melody; he shapes rhythms with the sensibility of a poet, coloring like an instrumentalist, phrasing like a singer." The Boston Globe Boston, USA "With His Band AMAZON: "Listening to Thiago de Mello and his band Amazon is an extraordinary experience, with its blend of jazz and music that sounds as if it came from the Garden of Eden!" The Times Herald New York City, USA _____ "At a time of renewed interest in big bands, Thiago de Mello & AMAZON is bringing a fresh sound to the style, carving out a distinctive niche for itself between the traditional American big bands and the usual Latin bands." John Wilson, New York Times New York City, USA