Alexia Bomtempo returns to her Bossa nova roots on new album Suspiro

Alexia Bomtempo returns to her bossa nova roots and continues her exploration of American song in her new album Suspiro, produced by French producer and drummer Stéphane San Juan – known for his work with a diverse group of acclaimed international artists including David Byrne, Caetano Veloso, Tulipa Ruiz, Amadou & Mariam – and American guitarist Jake Owen (Augustana, Charanga Cakewalk, Forró in the Dark).

Recorded in Brooklyn, NY and mixed by the legendary engineer Scotty Hard (Elza Soares, Arto Lindsay, Medeski, Martin and Wood), Suspiro invites you into a rich repertoire featuring songs by contemporary Brazilian songwriters, distinctive covers of American and Brazilian standards, and new originals by Alexia Bomtempo. Also featured on the album are Grammy Award-winning jazz trumpeter and multi-instrumentalist Michael Leonhart (Steely Dan, Mark Ronson, The Roots), pianist Vitor Gonçalves (Maria Bethânia, Hermeto Pascoal) and guitarist Guilherme Monteiro (Gal Costa, Bebel Gilberto).

Since relocating back to New York City nearly seven years ago, the Brazilian-American singer-songwriter has fully embraced, challenged, and redefined the Northern half of her American artistic roots. Equally comfortable wandering amidst hazy memory-inducing soundscapes as she is in delivering flowing melodies influenced by her beachside upbringing in Rio de Janeiro, Alexia is an artist of multiple worlds. Her sound is individual and confidently feminine, navigating genres ranging from classic American song to exploratory Tropicalia. In 2008, she began touring throughout Brazil, Europe, Japan and the U.S in support of her debut release Astrolábio (EMI Brazil).

Her 2013 English language tribute to Caetano Veloso, I Just Happen to Be Here (Biscoito Fino) was called “an ingeniously produced, lucidly performed, and hauntingly beautiful collection…” (Village Voice). BlackBook Magazine called her 2017 album Chasing Storms and Stars “a deeply poignant meditation on lost love, broken dreams and the soul-searching confusion that comes with revisiting those memories.” Her new album, the jazz-meets-bossa-nova-flavored Suspiro will be released April 24, 2020 on Ropeadope.

In addition to living and performing in New York City, where she has graced the stages of celebrated venues from Symphony Space to Joe’s Pub to more underground spaces including The Standard Hotel and Django at The Roxy Hotel, Bomtempo has also been a sought-after performer for exclusive events presented by Citibank, New York Fashion Week and MoMA. She has also continued to tour internationally, including performing 3-month residencies in 2015 and 2018 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Tokyo.