Amaro Freitas, one of the leading names in contemporary jazz, comes to the Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone for the first time on March 17. From Recife slum in northeastern Brazil to international jazz icon, has worked tirelessly to become the artist he is today, gaining attention for his "approach to the keyboard that is so unique as to be astonishing." The new album "Sankofa"-a spiritual quest into the forgotten stories, ancient philosophies and inspirational figures of black Brazil-is his most extraordinary and sincere work to date. "I worked to try to understand my ancestry, my place, my history, as a black man. By understanding the history and strength of our people, we can begin to understand where our dreams and desires come from," he says.

This prodigious young Brazilian pianist creates music that is a mind-bending exploration of the Brazilian rhythmic and musical tradition projected toward horizons of fulminating and electrifying jazz experimentation.His is a story of hardship and poverty, common to so many of his peers.He dropped out of the conservatory because he did not have the money for the bus but, thanks to extraordinary talent and stubbornness, he came to the forefront of the Brazilian jazz scene at only 22 years old.His percussive piano style originates from the traditional sounds of Pernambuco and the jazz musicians who influenced him, above all Monk and Korea.