CD Review: Antonio Adolfo, "Jobim Forever"

 

Antonio Adolfo creates beautiful music: his Piano and his Arranging are a pleasure for the ears!  I fell in love with his last release and published a review of "BruMa" that was a tribute to the wonderful composer Milton Nascimento.  Now Adolfo released his latest tribute CD, a tribute to one of the most influential stars in modern day Jazz, Antonio Carlos Jobim.  Jobim introduced the Bossa Nova sound in the USA in 1964 with his multiple Grammy Award winning CD, "Getz/Gilberto".  Jobim's writing has had an effect on almost every Jazz player since 1964 including some special treatment from Francis Albert Sinatra.  Putting together 9 Jobim compositions and making them sound new is no small task.  However, Adolfo's Arranging and performance by his highly talented musical group brings us a fresh new feel to Jobim songs that we all know well.  This is a romantic album but it will satisfy any Jazz buff listener with its Arrangements and Jazz improvisations.  The sounds from this delicious album are fresh, lush and  the band really swings.  You will fall in love with Antonio Adolfo the first time you listen to this CD.  

Antonio Adolfo is a Pianist,  Arranger, Composer and Bandleader. He has recorded over two dozen albums as a leader in the US and Brazil.  More than 200 of his original compositions have been recorded by major artists like Sergio Mendes, Earl Klugh, Herb Alpert, Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick and many others.  Adolfo chose Jobim's songs from the 1960s because he wanted to celebrate a great era of music which was when Jobim's innovations helped make Rio de Janeiro an important capital of world culture.  Now we all can celebrate with him!

Falling in love with the songs on this CD was easy but picking just two songs to share with you was almost impossible.  I truly loved every song on this CD.  Every song will be going on my "Jazz favorites" playlist.  Please buy this CD;  you will be playing it for years to come.  My first "YouTube" is the first greatest hit from Jobim, "The Girl From Ipanema" with some great alto Sax work from Danilo Sinna.  The Second attachment is "Agua De Beber" that translates to "Water To Drink".  We are treated to a fine Trombone solo from Rafael Rocha on this standard.

 

                                                                    "The Girl From Ipanema"

                                                                    "Agua De Beber"

Playlist:

1. The Girl From Ipanema

2. Wave

3. A Felicidade

4. How Insensitive

5. Favela

6. Inutil Paisagem

7. Agua De Beber

8. Amparo

9. Estrada Do Sol

Players:

Antonio Adolfo- Piano & Arranging

Jesse Sadoc- Trumpet & Flugelhorn

Danilo Sinna- Alto Sax

Marcelo Martins- Tenor & Soprano Saxes

Rafael Rocha- Trombone

Lula Galvao- Guitars

Jorge Helder- Double Bass

Rafael Barata- Drums

Dada Costa- Percussion

Guest Artists

    Paulo Braga- Drums

    Ze Renato- Vocals

 

CD Review: Roseanna Vitro, "Sing A Song Of Bird"

 

Vocalist Roseanna Vitro has just released her new CD, "Sing A Song Of Bird" that is a celebration of  Alto Sax player Charlie "Bird" Parker.   She conceived and created this project because of her desire to develop new lyrics to Charlie Parker tunes.  The results provide all of us with some wonderful and creative Jazz sounds and lyrics.   Roseanna is joined vocally on this CD by three truly outstanding Jazz Vocalists,  Sheila Jordan, Bob Dorough and Marion Cowings, all three favorites of hers.  Together these four Jazz Vocalists, all Charlie Parker admirers put together new lyrics to six of his compositions.  

"Sing A Song Of Bird" is more than a celebration of Bird's music.  This CD is very special because at the time it was recorded Bob Dorough was 94 and has since pasted while Sheila Jordan is 89 and is still going strong.

Roseanna Vitro is a brilliant musician still performing and creating new and exciting Jazz ideas.  Everything she touches is performed at the highest professional Jazz level.  She remains a major link for all Jazz fans to our rich American Jazz history which helps to keep Jazz alive forever! 

I have attached two "YouTube" selections of this fun Album.  The first one, "Grapple With The Apple" is a solo by Roseanna Vitro scatting at her usual high level.  She is joined by Mark Gross on Sax, Jason Teborek on Piano,  Dean Johnson on Bass and Bill Goodwin on Drums.   The Second selection is "Parker's Mood" a terrific Blues tune sung by Marion Cowings.  Marion is joined by special guest Gary Bartz on Alto Sax.  Gary provides some wonderful Sax work along with the always great Alan Broadbent on Piano, Dean Johnson on Bass and Alvester Garnett on Drums.

                                                             "Grapple With The Apple"

                                                                     "Parker's Mood"

Playlist:

1. People Chase

2. The Scatter

3. Bird's Song

4. Parker's Mood

5. Grapple With The Apple

6. Audubon's New Bluebird

7. Sheila, Jazz Child

8. Quasimodo

9. Now's The Time

10. Yardbird Suite

11. Koko / Cherokee

12. These Foolish Things

Players:

Roseanna Vitro- Vocals

Bob Dorough- Vocals

Sheila Jordan- Vocals

Marion Cowings- Vocals

Jason Teborek-Piano

Dean Johnson- Bass

Mark Gross- Alto Sax

Gary Bartz- Alto Sax

Alan Broadbent- Piano

Alvester Garnett- Drums