Gustavo Viríssimo – Reflexos (2026)
Brazilian virtuoso guitarist, composer, and producer Gustavo Viríssimo has released his debut album, Reflexos, an elegant, untroubled, and persuasive eight-track independent project rooted in Brazilian traditional music and jazz improvisation.
Born in Novo Hamburgo and based in Porto Alegre, the 24-year-old Viríssimo wrote and arranged the album, which features Brazilian bassist Michael Pipoquinha, American guitarist Adam Ratner, vocalist and guitarist Giovanna Mottini, and musicians associated with Porto Alegre jazz collective Kiai.
Reflexos was recorded at Tec Áudio Studio in Porto Alegre, with Antônio Flores handling engineering and mixing. The late Marcos Abreu mastered the album shortly before his death.
Viríssimo cites Hermeto Pascoal, Guinga, and Filó Machado among his influences. The album incorporates lively traditional beats such as frevo, baião, samba, and various forms of jazz, although improvisation and dazzling interplay remains fundamental to the performances. Vocals also appear as an instrumental element in several pieces.
Most compositions were completed in two to six takes, with Viríssimo favoring ensemble interaction over extensive editing. Some unplanned elements remained in the finished recordings, including the gradual acceleration heard on “Boca do Coisa Ruim,” a tribute to Guinga.
Michael Pipoquinha appears on the frevo-based opener “Frevo para Belle,” while Ratner joins Viríssimo on the delightful “Into the Air.”
Kiai contributes to “Solidança” and “Reflexos Sobre o Fim,” the latter providing the album’s title.
Viríssimo dedicates “Jean” to his father, and Giovanna Mottini co-wrote and performs on the closing track, “Simbiótica.”
The compositions originated from specific relationships, memories, and periods in Viríssimo’s life, which explains the album’s title, Portuguese for “Reflections.”
Musicians: Gustavo Viríssimo on electric guitar, acoustic guitar, fretless bass; Adam Ratner on guitar; Michael Pipoquinha on bass; Giovanna Mottini on vocals, acoustic guitar; Belle Mottini on vocals, choir; Marcelo Vaz on keyboards; Lucas Fê on drums; Bruno Coelho on percussion; Dionísio Souza on bass; João Brod on bass; Xandy Santos on bass; Dudu Morlin on flute; Vinicius Marinho on acoustic guitar; Letícia Roennau on backing vocals; nd Elisa Terra on baking vocals.
Recorded and mixed by Antônio Flores at Tec Áudio Studio, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Mastered by Marcos Abreu. Produced by Gustavo Viríssimo.
Cover artwork by Carolina Abreu.
Buy Reflexos.