Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul – Brazil – Pantanal JAM is a one-of-a-kind artistic and environmental initiative that turns the sounds of Brazil’s Pantanal — the world’s largest tropical wetland — into living music.
Inspired by real natural soundscapes — the songs of birds, the rustle of leaves, the roar of jaguars, and the rhythm of flowing water — the project fuses contemporary jazz, art, and environmental awareness, carrying the voice of Brazil’s wild heart to the world.
A new sound — Where jazz meets the jungle
Recorded in the Pantanal itself, Pantanal JAM brings together the award-winning Brazilian instrumental group Urbem (Gabriel Basso, Ana Ferreira, Bianca Bacha, and Sandro Moreno), the acclaimed New York trombonist Ryan Keberle, and legendary Brazilian pianist Paulo Calasans, one of the leading names in Brazilian instrumental music.
The result is a fusion of the regional and the universal — an encounter between jazz improvisation and the spontaneous melodies of nature.
Each of the nine original compositions was created from real field recordings made in the heart of the biome, capturing the living rhythm of water, the breath of the wind, and the voices of the Pantanal’s rich fauna.
“Pantanal JAM challenged me to rethink what it means to be a musician. We weren’t just playing in nature — we were playing with it. The birds, the wind, even the silence became part of the composition. It was one of the most profound artistic experiences of my life.”
— Ryan Keberle, trombonist, composer & featured artist on Pantanal JAM
Beyond music: A sensory and transformative experience
More than an album, Pantanal JAM is a multi-sensory and transformative experience that reimagines the relationship between humans and the environment.
“As a musician from the Pantanal, I’ve always felt that rhythm is everywhere here — in the flow of the rivers, in the calls of the birds, in the crackle of the fire at night. With Pantanal JAM, I wasn’t just playing drums — I was translating the voice of my land into music. It was personal. It was ancestral.”
— Sandro Moreno, drummer, Heartfelt / Urbem
In addition to the album now available on digital streaming platforms, the project includes:
- 🎬 A documentary series that follows the artists’ journey into the wild
- 🎤 Live performances in NY, Brazil and abroad
- 🌎 Educational actions that promote environmental awareness and the Pantanal as a model for sustainable and creative tourism
Through these diverse experiences, Pantanal JAM uses the universal language of music to promote cultural exchange, conservation, and reflection on our connection to the natural world.
Art as a form of conservation
With international reach and genuine purpose, Pantanal JAM is also a gesture of conservation.
A portion of the proceeds from every song streamed, shared, or purchased directly supports local NGOs and community-led initiatives working on the front lines of Pantanal preservation, including:
- Instituto Homem Pantaneiro – Protection and sustainable management of Pantanal territories
- Community Fire Brigades – Local groups trained to prevent and control wildfires
- Projeto Arara Azul – Conservation of the Hyacinth Macaw, a symbol of the Pantanal
- Onçafari – Research and conservation of jaguars and biodiversity
- SOS Pantanal – Environmental education and defense of the wetland ecosystem
“Pantanal JAM aims to touch people’s hearts, strengthen Pantanal identity, and celebrate our wildlife, our culture, and our people,” says Bruno Wendling, President of the Fundação de Turismo de Mato Grosso do Sul (Visit MS). “It’s an innovative project that connects the Pantanal to the world — uniting art and conservation.”
THE POWER OF MUSIC AND MESSAGE
Pantanal JAM reaffirms the power of art as a universal language and a force for transformation.
Here, every note is a call for regeneration, and every chord is a commitment to the future.
“This is not just music inspired by nature — it’s nature speaking through music.”
🔗 LISTEN • WATCH • LEARN MORE
🎧 Listen to the album:
Spotify – Pantanal JAM
🎥 Watch the documentary:
YouTube – Pantanal JAM
🌐 Official Website:
www.pantanaljam.com
Pantanal JAM is produced by the State of Mato Grosso do Sul through Fundação de Turismo (Visit MS) – the official tourism board of the state – with the support of artists, sound designers, local communities, and environmental partners.
🔗 Learn more about Mato Grosso do Sul: https://en.visitms.com.br
For additional information please contact:
GVA USA
Gisele Abrahao – gisele@globalvisionaccess.com
Anna Cecilia Santos – anna.cecilia@globalvisionaccess.com
