João Bosco at 80: New Duets EP Released

Why is João Bosco releasing a duets album at 80?

João Bosco turns 80 on July 13, 2026, and to mark the milestone his daughter Julia Bosco conceived a large-scale duets project with him. The result is Amigos novos e antigos, a 17-track album whose first six songs arrive today as an EP titled Amigos novos e antigos – Parte I. The full album is scheduled for September 25.

Who are the guests on the album?

The guest list reads like a who's-who of Brazilian music: Anitta, Bruna Black, Caetano Veloso, Cesar Camargo Mariano, Chico Buarque, Hamilton de Holanda, Ivete Sangalo, Jota.Pê, Mart'nália, Mestrinho, Tiago Iorc and Zeca Pagodinho, among others across the 17 tracks.

What makes the arrangements stand out?

Trombonist Rafael Rocha co-produced the album and crafted its string and brass arrangements. As a leading voice of Brazil's new generation of arrangers, Rocha brings fresh orchestral colour to classic songs, steering the project well clear of nostalgia-by-rote.

What songs are on the EP?

The six-track sampler opens with Kid Cavaquinho (João Bosco & Aldir Blanc, 1974), a samba that glides through a dance-hall atmosphere on Rocha's brass, with Mart'nália as the sharp-witted co-vocalist. Next comes Nação (João Bosco, Aldir Blanc & Paulo Emílio, 1982), where Hamilton de Holanda's 10-string bandolim sets an expressive backdrop before Bosco enters at the two-minute mark — a reading that stands up to Clara Nunes's legendary original. The only track without a guest, Boca de sapo (João Bosco & Aldir Blanc, 1979), revives the African spirit Bosco first captured alongside Clementina de Jesus in that same year.

Where does the album title come from?

The title Amigos novos e antigos is the name of a 1974 composition by João Bosco and the late Aldir Blanc (1946–2020), first recorded by Maria Alcina and covered the following year by Vanusa (1947–2020) as the title track of her MPB-oriented album.