Peter Schärli, who was introduced to Dom Um Romão during the first years of his "Swiss exile," became a close friend of Romão"s. Brazilian singer Ithamara Koorax started working with Romão in 1999, and the two soon became close friends. A real "Carioca" from Rio, she has recorded several CDs under her own name, among them the best-selling international sensation Serenade In Blue (Milestone), which sold over 250,000 copies worldwide. She is frequently mentioned as one of the best jazz singers in the world in readers" polls in Down Beat and other publications.