Balaios, by Debra Jan Bibel – Amazon Music

On the cusp of his 80th birthday, Brazilian jazz composer, pianist, band leader, arranger, and educator Antonio Adolfo looks back on his long career and over two dozen lauded albums. His reflection led to this new album that presents not an anthology but a reworking of his music that represent his journey. His ensemble is long-time collaborators guitarist Lula Galvão, bassist Jorje Helder, drummer Rafael Barata, trumpeter Jesse Sadoc, trombonist Rafael Rocha, reed men Danilo Sinna and Marcelo Martins, and percussionist Andre Siqueira. For one track each, Thom Rotella plays electric guitar and Leo Gandelman offers his alto saxophone. The featured pieces from 1965 to 2018 (not in sequence) are united under the metaphoric rubric of the balaios, which are traditional Northeastern baskets woven from straw and vines. The folk symbol of persistence and abundance is adopted to Adolfo's memories and melodies, weaving them into his musical art. Four of the nine compositions were co-written by Tibério Gaspar [1943-2017]. This enjoyable retrospection begins with 3D Blues [1965], a fusion of swing jazz, samba, and baião that marks the beginning of Adolfo's own blended style of Brazilian and American genre. Claudia [1969] flows with mellow bossa nova Carioca spirit. San Expedito [1988] is a gentle statement of gratitude of having survived automobile accidents on mountain roads; it has an upbeat and bright, very 80's soft-jazz sound with a Gerswhin phrase tribute. Sambalaio / Agitadinho [1989] somehow unites fast samba and funk. Love Will Come / Ate Que Venha o Amor, while drafted as a statement on peace and hope, it here is transformed into a dignified, joyful quadilha folk dance. My Chant / Meu Canto [2018] is a nostalgic wistful waltz in honor of Gaspar. The ballad Vision / Visão [1968] was extensively covered by such artists as Elis Regina with Toots Thielemans. Journey to The Interior / Caminhada [1967] is a groovy Northeastern baião, structured with sweet jazz harmonies. Zah Toom Toom / Samba 4 [1978], an alliteration of the bass drum of favela samba-funk parties, closes the album in an uplifting, happy manner. The variety of Adolfo's warm, rich, comfortable music has long been honored. Because he has issued recent Latin Grammy-nominated albums not only with works of Jobim and Nascimento but also honoring Wayne Shorter and Cole Porter, as well as albums of his own contemporary originals, the future of Brazilian jazz bodes well.