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Ben Sher: Samba for Tarsila

By Neil Duggan
May 22, 2023
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Ben Sher

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Ben Sher, an acclaimed jazz guitarist based in New York City, brings us Samba for Tarsila, in which he pays a musical tribute to the Brazilian modernist painter, Tarsila de Aguiar do Amaral (1886-1973). Her vivid abstract paintings of the Brazilian landscape have provided Sher with his inspiration for this project.

To help him realise his vision, Sher has assembled a Brazilian fusion jazz quartet, featuring top-class musicians from the New York jazz scene.

Gary Fisher

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Gary Fisher is a much sought after pianist who has played with

Joe Farnsworth

drums
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Farnsworth and

Eric Alexander

saxophone, tenor
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Eric Alexander. Bassist

Greg Jones

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Greg Jones has played with

Astrud Gilberto

vocals
1940 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Astrud Gilberto and Carly Simon. Special guest

Vanderlei Pereira

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Vanderlei Pereira, is one of the most respected Brazilian drummers in New York. He has recorded with

Airto Moreira

percussion
b.1941

" data-original-title="" title="">Airto Moreira,

Toots Thielemans

harmonica
1922 - 2016

" data-original-title="" title="">Toots Thielemans and

Dom Salvador

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Dom Salvador.

The album opens with three Sher compositions, starting with the sprightly "Antropofagia" with Jones funky bass to the fore as Sher's chords set the scene before he moves into his solo. He is closely followed by lively solos from Fisher and Jones making this a compelling opening track. The title track follows, it is an open and appealing medium tempo track which allows Sher to shine. "Twilight" follows with a fast Sher solo over Pereira's drums. The

Gilberto Gil

guitar
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">Gilberto Gil composition, "Eu Vim da Bahia" is a classic Brazilian bossa nova with Pereira and Jones prominent in providing a fabric of evolving rhythmic structures to support solos from Sher and Fisher.

The jazz standard, "On Green Dolphin Street" (composed by Bronislaw Kaper and Ned Washington) follows. This track, reworked with a rhythm from Northern Brazil is styled into something fresh. The same cannot be said of the following track, "Never Can Say Goodbye." This song was originally written by

Clifton Davis

" data-original-title="" title="">Clifton Davis for The Supremes, but Motown directed it towards the Jackson 5 and it became one of the group's most successful records. It has been covered many times but this slow tempo cover lacks spark. Fortunately, another cover comes to the rescue in the shape of Jorge Ben's Brazilian standard, "Mas que Nada." This tune, popularised by

Sergio Mendes

piano
1941 - 2024

" data-original-title="" title="">Sergio Mendes, has bright rhythms together with inventive and satisfying solos from Fisher and Sher.

Sher's electric and acoustic guitar work is precise, his pacing intelligent and always entertaining. Throughout this album the group is close-knit and well connected. They create a variety of grooves, rhythms and textures for Sher to create his own vibrant musical landscape in tribute to Tarsila. An entertaining album with much to enjoy.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Anthropofagia; Samba for Tarsila; Twilight; Eu Vim da Bahia; On Green Dolphin Street; Never Can Say Goodbye; Mas Que Nada.

Personnel

Ben Sher

guitar

Gary Fisher

piano

Greg Jones

bass

Vanderlei Pereira

drums

Album information

Title: Samba for Tarsila | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Zoho Music

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