What began as a simple vacation in Rio de Janeiro turned into a life-changing musical journey. Pianist Stephanie Ozer recounts an unforgettable encounter with Brazilian legend Leny Andrade that led to an impromptu recording session in Rio. From late-night studio sessions to dawn over Ipanema, this story captures the magic of Brazilian music, spontaneity, and creative connection. A testament to how Rio transforms music into destiny.
By Stephanie Ozer
Rio reveals its magic when music leads the way.
It was Tuesday, our second night in Rio, and we were thrilled to discover that our favorite Brazilian vocalist, Leny Andrade, was performing in a club downtown.
Sitting in the front row, listening to her deep and poetic singing felt like being in heaven. She commanded the room with unmatched grace, authority, and intensity.
A Whisper That Changed Everything
Partway through the set, David whispered to me:
“After the show, we’ll go backstage and ask Leny if she’ll record with you while we’re here in Rio. I need you to go along with me on this. Okay?”
I asked, “Do I have to decide right now?”
He replied, “You’ve got two more songs.”
Moments later, we were backstage with Leny and her posse, explaining the connections that linked us — my mentor Marcos Silva, who had performed with Leny before leaving Rio years ago, and our shared love for this music.
An Unexpected Invitation
We said, “We thought maybe you’d be in California someday and we could record with you. But here we are in Rio — would you record with us?”
She replied, “So you want me to come to California to record?”
We said, “No. We’re here. We want to record in Rio.”
Leny paused, then mentioned a recording studio close to the club.
“I want you to try the piano. If you like it, then we will talk. Call me Thursday.”
From Practice to the Studio
We rented a practice keyboard and called her on Thursday. She asked us to call again on Saturday.
Finally, she picked us up at the hotel and drove us to the studio. We crossed Guanabara Bay, gazing back at the breathtaking view of the city, and arrived in São Francisco, Niterói, at a small stone building.
There, we were welcomed by Fabio Motta, the studio owner and Leny’s friend for decades — smiling, warm, and kind.
“She Plays Like a Brazilian”
I sat down and started to play. David overheard someone say: “She doesn’t play like an American. She plays like a Brazilian.”
Afterward, Leny drove us home. Around 11:00 pm, she asked if we were hungry and took us to a restaurant across from the café where Tom Jobim wrote “The Girl from Ipanema.”
Brazilian music blurs the line between night and morning.
A Night That Turned Into Morning
The following evening at 7:00 pm, we returned to Fabio’s studio. Leny asked if I needed a drummer. I said yes.
She made a phone call and said:
“You’re lucky. A bass player is also coming — Ivan Lins’s bass player, Nema. He’s coming with drummer Erivelton.”
At 9:00 pm, they arrived. After strong coffee and laughter, we began recording at midnight.
At 3:30 am, Leny asked:
“What’s next? Anything else?”
I replied, “Yes. One last song — Rio.”
Dawn Over Ipanema
As dawn crept over Ipanema Beach, Leny dropped us off at our hotel. I felt as though I were inside a dream — a beautiful musical film, waiting for the credits to roll across the sky.
The next night, we recorded again, all through the night, leaving the studio with four songs in rough mix.
Goodbyes and New Beginnings
Wednesday was our last day in Rio, and Leny insisted on taking us to the airport. With hugs and kisses — this is Rio — we said goodbye, telling her:
“We’ll be back to Brazil. But maybe you can visit us in California first.”
My body was exhausted. My soul was inspired.
Back home, I practiced relentlessly and contacted some of the finest musicians in the Bay Area to continue what Rio had begun.
And so here it is: “O Começo” — the beginning. Another beginning in life, in Rio, in music.
* Stephanie Ozer is a professional pianist and composer known for her love of Brazilian jazz, having grown up in the Bronx and based for years in San Francisco, California. She has worked in musical projects with Brazilian legend Leny Andrade.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Stephanie Ozer?
An American pianist and composer known for her work in Brazilian jazz and collaborations with legendary Brazilian musicians.
2. Who is Leny Andrade?
One of Brazil’s most respected jazz and MPB vocalists, celebrated internationally.
3. Where was the music recorded?
At Fabio Motta’s studio in Niterói, near Rio de Janeiro.
4. What makes this story unique?
A spontaneous backstage meeting that led to a full recording session in Rio.
5. Why does this story resonate with Brazilians living abroad?
It shows how Brazilian culture leaves a lasting emotional and artistic impact beyond Brazil’s borders.
