Grupo Falso Baiano is one of just a handful of groups currently performing choro in the U.S. A precursor to bossa nova, choro originated during the late 19th century as Brazil’s first national music, fusing African rhythms with intricate melodies and harmonies. With a repertoire spanning more than a century, G.F.B. plays traditional choro, as well as contemporary, jazz-tinged arrangements by modern masters like Hermeto Pascoal and Hamilton de Holanda. The dynamic young quartet features Zack Pitt-Smith on reeds, Jesse Appelman on bandolim, Brian Moran on 7 string guitar, and Ami Molinelli on percussion. Members of Grupo Falso Baiano have played and recorded with master musicians in both Brazil and the U.S., and have created their own unique instrumental voice within the genre of contemporary choro. Comfortable in both traditional and modern styles, they have earned the respect and admiration of music lovers and musicians alike as Americans who, having studied choro at its source now share their take on it with an appreciative U.S. audience. Reviews of "Viajando: Choro e Jazz": "Viajando: Choro e Jazz is an auspicious debut release for Grupo Falso Baiano: A well-selected, executed, and produced album of choro tunes. As the title Viajando implies, this is a journey through many decades of Brazilian instrumental music.” -Daniella Thompson, Musica Brasiliensis Magazine "Grupo Falso Baiano continues the tradition of upbeat Brazilian music with seven string classical guitar, mandolin, percussion, saxophone, flute and clarinet, all traditional Choro instruments. Before Bossa Nova, before Samba, before Tropicalia, and before Brazil became globally known for it's lively sound, Choro made Brazilian partyers dance in the streets. The young musicians of Grupo Falso Baiano will make you dance, cry, laugh and marvel at their instrumental skill and love for a music that is centuries old but sounds as fresh as ever." -San Francisco Bay Guardian “As Grupo's gorgeous new CD, Viajando: Choro e Jazz proves, its intricate melodies move your heart and your hips.” -SF Weekly “These Americans navigate through various Brazilian idioms [...] and at times let their own roots emerge in their interpretations—a process that contributes naturally to the enrichment of each genre. I like the result very much, because it isn't radically tethered to tradition. In addition to virtuosity and expressiveness, daring is another key ingredient in this mixture of the Brazilian people!s art and culture, itself the product of multiple external influences.” -Paulo Sergio Santos, Brazilian composer and virtuoso clarinetist “Those who appreciate the voice of individual instruments should savor the harmonic interplay and tasteful arrangements. Their new instrumental CD “Viajando: Choro e Jazz,” is an elegant showcase for their 21st-century vision of choro.” -Pasadena Weekly “..Grupo Falso Baiano sends a powerful message with their performance on Viajando: Choro e Jazz, showing us the massive possibilities inherent in Brazilian music when we dig a little deeper – something that this group has done with truly inspiring results.” -Latin Jazz Corner