Customer Reviews

Canta Brasil

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It is true that Kenny Barron is among the top echelon of modern jazz pianists. He was Stan Getz's last pianist, and the music they produced (People Time and The Lost Sessions: Bossas and Ballads) is among Getz's finest. He lead the band Sphere, a brilliant group interpreting and building on the music of Thelonius Sphere Monk (hence, the name). He came up playing With Dizzy Gillespie and Yusef Lateef. Yet, many of his efforts as leader seem to fall short, to lack something. Except when he places himself in a somewhat alien context, as on Swamp Sally, his brilliant disc with Mino Cinelu (country/blues/jazz), and here, matched with Trio da Paz (Brazilian). These encounters, where he is playing in the presence of a deeply established world jazz vibe, bring out the very best in him and enable his epic jazz pianism to shine brightest.

Trio da Paz benefits as well. Having a world class musician playing piano (an instrument not part of the trio) nudges them into a greater freedom of expression and rhythmic drive than I've heard from them before. Add Valtinho on percussion and Anne Drummond of flute, and you have a much richer sound signature than usual for a Trio da Paz disc.

The electricity sparks from the very first number, "Zumbi," a driving composition by Barron (5 of 8 are his, the rest, one each from the Trio). There's a very attractive controlled wildness here, reminiscent of some of Egberto Gismonti's early period music, just after he emerged from three years of studing the aboriginal music of Northern Brazil. That vibe continues with "Paraty," a number from bassist Nilson Matta that has almost become a Brazilian jazz standard and which features an astounding solo from Romero Lubambo, surely the reigning Brazilian guitar champ, as well as a very attractive solo from Barron. "Bachiao," from the pen of Lubambo, has a distinct Villa Lobos feel, and brings out perhaps the leader's finest piano work; indeed Barron's and Lumbabo's breakneck melodic doubling amazes. Drummond also knocks off a quite remarkable flute solo on this number. But my favorite is drummer Dudaka da Fonseca's "Dona Maria," also featured on his brilliant disc "Samba Jazz Fantasia," bursting with complex rhythms and an eminently hummable melody. Da Fonseca's drum solo is pure brilliance--tasty, alive with energy, and smartly succinct.

The ballads, "Clouds" and "Until Then," also stand out, providing a welcome change of pace from the uptempo numbers. Barron has always struck me as an accomplished ballad player, and he confirms that view by his performances here.

All in all, a great disc, one of the finest world jazz performances I've ever heard. Not to be missed.

Kenny Barron is simply one of the finest pianists in jazz-- an opinion confirmed by his annual rankings at or near the top of the Downbeat Readers and Critics polls. This record pairs Barron with Brazilian musicians Trio de Paz, one of his students -- flutist Anne Drummond, and percussionist Valtinho.

Instead of rehashing the usual Jobim tunes, the record showcases new compositions by Barron and members of the Trio that are rhythmically exciting and offer plenty of space for soloing both on the record and in their live shows (don't miss them if they come your way).

Barron is as wonderful as always and the members of Trio de Paz make ideal partners -- especially guitarist Romero Lubambo.

TOP NOTCH MUSISIANS WITH GREAT INTERPLAY.Trio da paz and kenny barron on piano in a recital of fine melodic brazilian jazz with enough detailed interplay throughout the whole disc.A GEM.

There can never be enough Jobim redone if it is redone well. However, you may be thinking to yourself, a recent convert to Bossa Nova, as I was when I bought this CD, "What's new? Who is pushing the frontiers or at least doing something original?" If that is you, this is your CD. This CD is also for you if you are thinking, "Hmm, a reknowned jazz pianist tries a new genre...must be good." My favorite piece on the album is "Clouds." In general, the album remains one of my favorite in latin jazz. If you are a Trio da Paz fan, or Kenny Barron fan, everything you expect.

I'm a big fan of Trio da Paz, and when I saw this album for the first time, I bought it immediately. Kenny Baron, is of course one of the all time great jazz pianists, and lends his musicianship wonderfully to the always great brazilian trio. The first cut of the album alone is worth the price of the whole thing. Buy this now if you love jazz.