Moacyr Luz released his first solo album in 1988 and is widely celebrated as one of Brazil’s most accomplished and respected samba composers. He has written over 100 songs that have been recorded by esteemed artists such as Maria Bethânia, Gilberto Gil, and Beth Carvalho, to name a few. Now in his 60s, the Rio de Janeiro native has released many albums under his own name and collaborated with some of Brazil’s most iconic talents.

Pierre Aderne's musical journey was shaped by the soothing sounds of Tom Jobim's "Águas de Março" and the gentle voice of João Gilberto. His travels around the world have allowed him to collect precious cultural memories, bringing the spirit of Rio de Janeiro with him wherever he goes. Aderne represents a unique blend of Brazilian and Portuguese heritage, a multicultural background that deeply infuses his music. He is also the founder of Rua Das Pretas, a weekly gathering which promotes the rapprochement and fusion of Brazilian music with Portuguese and Portuguese-speaking African music around the world.

In 2023, Luz and Aderne teamed up to record the album Mapa das Rios, which featured their song “Meu Bem” (My Dear). On the gentle samba they trade lines, singing “My dear / You don't wake up to a samba before noon / Half a moon that sleeps in an empty bed / The samba is a prayer.”