Always keeping an ear to the ground for women jazz musicians, Amy was thrilled when she heard of Ana Barreiro in Los Angeles. When they met, there was instant kinship. After myriad concerts and gigs, carpooling to jam sessions, and living room listening sessions, Amy invited Ana to DC to be a part of the Washington Women in Jazz Festival.

“This is where I first played Ana’s original music. As a serious Ana Barreiro fan, and Brazilian music lover, I was immediately enamored by the groove and melodic content of her writing. She brilliantly mixes her feel for American music with styles from her native Brazil.”

The duo has continued to play each other’s music, in every context from trio settings to a symphony orchestra. After a quintet performance in Venice Beach, Ana proposed a new recording, as co-leaders. “Playing with Ana is something I am always excited to do. We share a common understanding of the spirit of our music, and we both prize constant interaction on the bandstand.” The result is their recent release, AmyAna.

“I always look forward to working with Amy, her playing and writing resonates with me as well as her convictions of music and her genuine love for people. I wouldn’t pass on the opportunity to put on a record the musical experiences we have working together. We had a great band of not only wonderful musicians, but kind people, and I’m glad we had the chance to do this!”

AmyAna is a clear record of their friendship with songs like Bormet’s “Santa Ana Slip,” a swinging bluesy number, and upbeat Brazilian melodies, like Barreiro’s “Saudade.” As the two continue to develop a dialogue between east coast and west coast, swing and the avant-garde, the US and Brazil, there is no place they can’t go together.