Yo-Yo Ma, Kathryn Stott and More Lend Talents to VIVA BRAZIL Recording; Available Now

Sony Masterworks releases Viva Brazil, a six-song live digital EP from Yo-Yo Ma, Kathryn Stott, Sergio and Odair Assad and Joseph Gramley.  Recorded live on April 30th at the Palladium Center in Carmel, Indiana, the Viva Brazil Live EP is available now via all digital service providers.

The outstanding program spotlights cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Kathryn Stott plus classical guitarists Sergio and Odair Assad, all of whom played on both Soul of the Tango and Obrigado Brazil. They are joined by percussionist Joseph Gramley, who appeared on Ma's gold-certified Songs of Joy & Peace album.

"The Assad Brothers introduced Brazilian music to Kathy Stott and me over 15 years ago and we have been in love with it ever since," says Yo-Yo Ma.  "These pieces are the result and a celebration of our joyful, fun and rewarding years of collaboration and friendship."

In addition to the previously recorded Heitor Villa-Lobos' Alma Brasileira(from Yo-Yo Ma's critically acclaimed Obrigado Brazil), Viva Brazil includes Antonio Carlos Jobim's Stone Flower and Amparo; Hope from the Back To Our Roots Suite by Sergio Assad and his daughter Clarice; and The Last Song written by Clarice and dedicated to the group.

The Viva Brazil Live EP arrives during a particularly exciting period for Yo-Yo Ma, as it follows his all-star "genre-proof" collaboration, The Goat Rodeo Sessions, with violinist Stuart Duncan, bassist Edgar Meyer and mandolinist Chris Thile. The quartet's January concert performance at the House of Blues in Boston will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray on May 29(th).

Sony Masterworks USA comprises the Masterworks Broadway, Masterworks, Masterworks Jazz, RCA Red Seal and Sony Classical imprints. For email updates and information please visit www.SonyMasterworks.com.