DECATUR, Ill. — For music has always been about connection — but his latest project takes that idea across continents, cultures, and artistic mediums.
Tonelli, Associate Professor of Music and Coordinator of Guitar Studies in , has released “Brasiliana,” a new album of original compositions inspired by his extensive travels in Brazil. Alongside the album comes an unexpected companion piece: a feature-length film that captures the creative journey behind the music.
“Brasiliana,” represents the culmination of decades of aspiration and several years of immersive travel. Between 2022 and 2025, Tonelli made 13 trips to Brazil — including two as a Fulbright Scholar — studying, teaching, performing and building lasting relationships with Brazilian musicians.
“I had dreamt for thirty years about going to Brazil, what it would feel like to finally set foot there. I figured it would be one of two things: either I’d think, ‘Alright, I saw it. It was nice. Move on,’ or I’d fall completely in love with it. And it turned out to be the second—only much worse, in a good way. I came back and thought, ‘Now look at the mess I’ve gotten myself into.’ I found myself returning again and again, like it was calling me—like it had been calling me my whole life. And that’s really what Brasiliana is—the expression of something I can’t fully explain, but that’s real and visceral.”
The result is a collection of nine original compositions that blend Brazilian musical traditions with Tonelli’s jazz roots. Six of the pieces are directly inspired by his experiences in Brazil, reflecting the people, places, and rhythms that shaped his journey. At the same time, the remaining works highlight his background in jazz improvisation.
Recorded with an all-Brazilian ensemble, the album features:
Raphael Ferreira (tenor & soprano saxophone)
Guilherme Ribeiro (piano)
Richard Metairon (bass)
Rodrigo “Digão” Braz (drums)
Together, the group creates what Tonelli describes as an immersive musical experience — one that moves beyond inspiration into lived cultural expression.
We recorded not in a traditional studio, but in the auditorium of a music college in São Paulo, which brought a lot of unpredictability. There was no isolation among the instruments, and at one point the doors literally flung open, and a group of people walked in between takes. I remember thinking, ‘Are we actually going to pull this off?’ But when I brought the tracks back to the U.S. to mix here at 鶹Լ with Kevin Guarnieri and MARS, Kevin commented that there was great clarity and good separation. 'Whew!' I thought. It all came together."
From Album to Film
What began as a recording project soon evolved into something larger.
A Brazilian filmmaker, Thiago S. Barbosa, became interested in Tonelli’s story and produced “Brasiliana – The Film,” a 50-minute documentary chronicling the creative process behind the album and the decades-long journey that led to it.
The film not only explores Tonelli’s time in Brazil but also brings the story back to Decatur — highlighting how those experiences are now shaping his work at 鶹Լ. The documentary is expected to enter international film festivals before a wider release.
“I never expected a Brazilian filmmaker to approach me about telling this story, but that’s what happened. We spent six months shaping and rethinking the film, and over time the process itself started to reflect what the story was really about. Our creative partnership became a reflection of the film’s message—a genuine collaboration across cultures, with trust and openness and a real joy in working together.” People who’ve seen early cuts really resonate with that. They get emotional and say, ‘We need more films like this.’ And the way Thiago has told it, with such care and tenderness, I find myself watching it and thinking, ‘That can’t be me.’ He always says, ‘Everyone has a beautiful story to tell—they just need someone to tell it.’ And he’s told it beautifully.”
Bringing the Experience Back to 鶹Լ
For Tonelli, the project reflects the core of 鶹Լ’s Performance Learning philosophy — applying real-world experiences directly to creative and academic work.
Through his teaching, Tonelli integrates global perspectives into the classroom, offering students insight into international music traditions and professional collaboration. His work has also helped expand 鶹Լ’s global reach, including leading student ensembles on performance residencies in Brazil.
“Brasiliana” serves as both a personal artistic statement and a teaching tool, demonstrating how immersive experiences can shape creative output in meaningful ways.
An International Career Rooted in Education
Tonelli is an internationally recognized performer and educator who has performed across the United States and in Brazil, Argentina, Canada, the Netherlands, and Ukraine. A two-time Fulbright Scholar, he has taught at universities across Brazil and collaborated with musicians around the world.
At 鶹Լ, he leads the guitar studies program and created the long-running Arts Café course, a student-run performance venue that showcases interdisciplinary collaboration.
His career includes performances with a wide range of artists, from jazz legends to Broadway performers, and his music has been featured on national platforms such as NPR.
Since its release in March 2026, “Brasiliana” has already gained international attention, receiving airplay and media coverage across multiple countries. With the documentary now entering film festivals, the project continues to grow — expanding Tonelli’s reach as both an artist and educator.
For the 鶹Լ community, it stands as a remarkable example of how global exploration, artistic ambition, and Performance Learning can intersect to create something truly unique.
May 14
Mark Tonelli Trio
Pharmacy Gallery
Springfield, IL
7 p.m.
May 21
Mark Tonelli Trio
Jazz in the Park
Champaign, IL
6 p.m.
June 7
w/ Jay Ferguson Trio
House concert
Charleston, IL
12 p.m.
June 20
Pere Marquette Hotel
Solo jazz guitar
Peoria, IL
6 p.m.
