“…probably the most revealing look we’ll ever get of its subject, and the most loving evocation of his music.” (Washington Post)

“It’s a great concert, but it’s also a fascinating character study.” (Los Angeles Times)

“Samba and jazz are brothers in blackness,” says celebrated Brazilian samba singer Alcione. “They mix together in a way no other styles do.” As this joyous, fascinating documentary points out, the same could be said about the cities of Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans, which gave birth to and incubated these musical genres. Directed by Brazilian photographer and jazz devotee Jefferson Mello, Samba & Jazz presents plenty of intoxicating performances and connects the musical and geographic dots as it explores the power of music to bind communities together with passion, pulse, and a free spirit.