The Rob Mazurek Octet melds two sides of the cornetist's artistic -- and geographic -- world, his Chicago-based Exploding Star Orchestra and Starlicker ensembles and his Brazil-based São Paulo Underground. Mazurek assembled the octet upon a request for a Miles Davis-inspired concert to be performed in conjunction with the late-2011 arrival of the We Want Miles traveling exhibition and tribute in São Paulo. The cornetist tapped São Paulo Underground members Mauricio Takara (drums, percussion, and cavaquinho -- a Brazilian ukulele) and Guilherme Granado (keyboards and electronics) to be part of the ensemble, along with Swiss-born Brazil resident Thomas Rohrer on rabeca (a Brazilian fiddle) and Carlos Issa on guitar and electronics. To fill out the group, Mazurek looked north to his many Chicago collaborators and chose flutist Nicole Mitchell, vibraphonist Jason Adasiewicz, and drummer John Herndon. The group recorded its debut, the 2013 Cuneiform release Skull Sessions, at São Paulo's Teatro do SESC Pinheiros in November 2011. Skull Sessions presents a clear homage to Miles, while also incorporating AACM-influenced exploratory collective improvisation, atmospheric electronic touches, and the rhythmic exuberance of Brazil. ~ Dave Lynch, Rovi