The project Samba de Gringo was born in New York City by the end of 2003 by the Brazilian guitarist Vinicio “Bina” Coquet and the New York organist Ehud Asherie, congregated around a common passion for Brazilian music and the jazz of the 60´s

The main idea of these two young talented musicians was to revisit, with the “Organ Jazz Trio” classic formation, the music made by some of the greatest Brazilian composers such as João Donato, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Ed Lincoln, Marcos Valle and Luis Gonzaga.

This project is the first one already made that explores the “Organ Trio” format to present a Brazilian repertoire, played around the mythical and poisonous sound of the Hammond B3. Since the first hearing, the project Samba de Gringo presents all the characteristics of an unique sound, remembering electrifying atmosphere of Jimmy Smith, Brother Jack Mc Duff, Wes Montgomery and, evidently, Walter Wanderley.

Samba de Gringo - São Paulo / New York Sessions - 2005




Recorded live in studio on November 24th, 2003 in New York City, March 04th, 2004 in São Paulo, the sessions of this record had resulted in a samba-jazz, having mixed the rhythms and Brazilian melodies with the sound of Jimmy Smith and Wes Montgomery, capturing in a very precise way the spirit of fusion between the two cities.

For the New York session, Ehud called his long time friend, drummer Phil Stewart. In São Paulo, Bina called Edu Ribeiro for the drums. But in the song “Sambanoise” the “Organ Jazz Trio” format was modified, extending the arrangement for other instruments.

The recording process was live, without any editing, in order to keep the dynamic of the musical execution, like in the old days, resulting in a trip to the heart of samba-jazz, which reaches its climax in a closing 8 minute "jam" that revisits the "baião" and "maracatu" rhythms around the "Juazeiro" theme of Luiz Gonzaga.

Hudi's Blues

Sambanoise

“Bringing back the classical Organ Jazz Trio formation is what guitarrist Bina Coquet and organist Ehud Asherie have to offer. With the help of a drummer, the duo reaches that goal with perfection. And Bina also shows talent as a composer, introducing three original tracks. Ehud uses the Hammond B3 to rock in all of them”
Bravo! Magazine

“The American musician Ehud Asherie, like John Medeski and James Taylor, knows how to use the Hammond B3 in Jazz. And Bina Coquet shows his passion for improvisation, but makes very clear - through the rhythms and repertoire - that he doesn’t intend to distance himself from his Brazilian roots. Going beyond the boundaries between Samba and Jazz, Samba de Gringo or Brazilian Jazz, the order of the factors does not change the outcome in this beautiful work.”
Jazz+ Magazine

“In original themes or in Samba Jazz and Bossa Nova classics, Bina Coquet and Ehud Asherie get the ingredients right in their debut album “Samba de Gringo - New York / São Paulo Sessions”. There is a Walter Wanderley feel in it, swing and improvisation.”
Jornal O Globo

Samba de Gringo 2 - 2007

Keeping the spirit of the first record, “Samba de Gringo 2” was recorded live at the Mosh studio in São Paulo on February 22nd and 23rd, 2006. The musical research that characterizes the project gets even more intensified in this record, exploring Brazilian music and rhythms, going beyond classics of Bossa-Nova and Samba-Jazz. Bina & Ehud also take a walk with nimbleness around MPB, samba and baião.

For these sessions, a very special guest: the drummer, singer and composer Wilson ds Neves. This incredible musician, one of the most respected in the Brazilian musical scene for decades, came to São Paulo especially to play with Bina & Ehud in this project. Wilson das Neves participates in four songs playing drums.

Besides that, Bina & Ehud promote in this record a very special reunion. In the song “A Flor E O Espinho” by Nelson Cavaquinho, the only of the record with vocals, the singer CéU, the most representative Brazilian singer of the new generation, shares the microphone with Dona Inah, great diva of the São Paulo samba, representing the samba old school. The result: a delicious reunion between two generations that denotes the influence of samba in our culture throughout the years.

Other musicians who participate of this record are: drummer Celso de Almeida, who is currently playing singer Rosa Passos, percussionists Memeu Cabral, Carneiro Sândalo and Rubinho Lima.