Ivan Lins

Songwriter, vocalist, and pianist Ivan Lins is an icon of Brazilian music. Possessed of a reedy baritone, his vocal phrasing embraces nuance and eschews traditional restraint. Further, he has written for countless vocalists. Lins initially caught listeners' attention in 1970 after Elis Regina scored a hit with his "Madalena." His long recording career includes important albums for RCA (Modo Livre) EMI (A Noite, Novo Tempo), Philips (Amar Assim), and Reprise (Love Dance). Lins gained fans in the United States and Europe. He collaborated with urban contemporary greats George Benson and Quincy Jones during the '80s and then launched an independent American career. 1985's GRP Live in Session featured Lins alongside Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour, and other jazz musicians. In 1996 he, jazz pianist Chucho Valdés, and Irakere issued Live in Cuba. 2005's Cantando Histórias took home Latin Grammys for Best MPB Album and Album of the Year. 2006's Acariocando charted and won global acclaim. 2009's Regência: Vince Mendoza won Best MPB album, as did 2014's América, Brasil. 2023's My Heart Speaks featured a 91-piece orchestra and soloists who included Dianne Reeves and Randy Brecker.