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Antonio Adolfo: Bossa 65

By Pierre Giroux
June 23, 2023
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Composer, arranger and pianist

Antonio Adolfo

piano
b.1947

" data-original-title="" title="">Antonio Adolfo has a discography which extends to the very early days of the Bossa Nova craze that swept through Brazil and into North America. With his deep roots in the Bossa tradition, Adolfo is an internationally recognized Brazilian jazz personage. Many of his original compositions have been covered by artists such as

Sergio Mendes

piano
1941 - 2024

" data-original-title="" title="">Sergio Mendes,

Herb Alpert

trumpet
b.1935

" data-original-title="" title="">Herb Alpert and

Stevie Wonder

vocals
b.1950

" data-original-title="" title="">Stevie Wonder among many others. He has also helped to celebrate the work of well-known Bossa players such as

Antonio Carlos Jobim

piano
1927 - 1994

" data-original-title="" title="">Antonio Carlos Jobim,

Luiz Bonfa

guitar, acoustic
1922 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Luiz Bonfa and

Joao Gilberto

vocals
1931 - 2019

" data-original-title="" title="">Joao Gilberto. However, there are several individuals from the Bossa movement who are less well recognized, such as

Carlos Lyra

guitar
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Carlos Lyra and

Roberto Menescal

guitar
b.1937

" data-original-title="" title="">Roberto Menescal; they deserve to be heard, and so their music is featured in this current release.

The ten tracks offered on this session were recorded in Brazil. They provide each composer an equal opportunity to exhibit their creativity. Adolfo was joined by a cohort of outstanding Brazilian musicians, several of whom had participated in previous Adolfo offerings, such as bassist

Jorge Helder

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Jorge Helder, percussionist

Rafael Barata

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Rafael Barata, and trumpeter

Jesse Sadoc

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Jesse Sadoc. The opening track is by Lyra and is entitled "Coisa Mas Linda"(Most Beautiful Thing). It is a characteristic Bossa number. Adolfo's piano lays out the theme over which he begins a scat vocal which is punctuated throughout the number. There are stellar solos from trombonist

Rafael Rocha

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Rafael Rocha and guitarist

Lula Galvão

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Lula Galv?o.

While Lyra's compositions retain the traditional samba underpinnings on "Maria Moita" (Maria Shut-Mouth), he does address some social issues in "Marcha Da Quatra-Feira De Cinzas" (Ash Wednesday March} which is a melancholy ode on returning to real life under the military dictatorship after a joyous Carnival. On "Sabe Voce"(Do You Know) Adolfo's piano opens, to be followed by Sadoc's flugelhorn solo. The lilting melody is picked up by the band over which Aldofo's piano continues to sparkle.

Roberto Menescal's portfolio of compositions may be just slightly better recognized than Lyra's and that may be due to his composition "O Barquinho" (Little Boat) which has been covered by artists too numerous to mention. Adolfo's sparkling arrangement is in full-on samba mode with his piano musings leading the way. Alto saxophonist

Danilo Sinna

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Danilo Sinna delivers a blistering solo in keeping with the theme. "Rio" is a lip smacking bossa which is propelled by a harmonically complex chart. The front line deliver some tricky unison riffs, and Adolfo's piano playing covers the keyboard, prior to a gleaming solo from trumpeter Sadoc. By any measure, this is a heartfelt tribute to this duo of esteemed composers.

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Track Listing

Coisa Mais Linda; Samba Do Carioca; Bye Bye Brasil; O Barquinho; Maria Moita; Tete; Marcha Da Quarta-Feira De Cinzas; Rio; Nos E O Mar; Sabe Voce.

Personnel

Antonio Adolfo

piano

Danilo Sinna

saxophone, alto

Marcello Martins

saxophone, tenor

Jesse Sadoc

trumpet

Rafael Rocha

trombone

Jorge Helder

bass, acoustic

Rafael Barata

drums

Dada Costa

percussion

Lula Galv?o

guitar

Additional Instrumentation

Danilo Sinna: alto saxophone; Marcello Martins: tenor saxophone, flute (7); Jesse Sadoc: trumpet, flugelhorn (9, 10); Rafael Rocha: trombone; Jorge Helder: double bass; Rafael Barata: drums, percussion (2-5, 8); Dada Costa: percussion (2, 5, 7, 8); Lula Galvao: guitar.

Album information

Title: Bossa 65 | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: AAM Music

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