ANTONIO ADOLFO
TROPICAL INFINITO
Killer Joe; Whisper Not; Cascavel;
Yolanda, Yolanda; Stolen
Moments; Song For My Father;
Partido Leve; All The Things You
Are; Luar De Bahia (52.14)
Jesse Sadoc (t, flh); Serginho
Trombone (tb); Marcelo Martins
(ts, ss); Antonio Adolfo (p); Leo
Amuedo (g); Jorge Helder (b);
Rafael Barata (d); Andre Siqueira
(pc).
Rio De Janeiro, probably 2015.
AAM 07010 –
antonioadolfomusic.com
****
When reviewing previous CDs by
Antonio Adolfo I’ve used the
briefer format, primarily because
the jazz element was diluted by
historical references to the music
of Brazil and the solos were
pleasant and musical but lacked
something in passion and commitment.
Here, I’m glad to say,
neither of those strictures applies.
The admirable front line solo
with force and confidence and
the repertoire choices include
five from the American jazz
musicians’ canon, outnumbering
four from Brazilian writers.
(Tracks three and four are Adolfo
originals.)
The fact that a percussionist
assists the drummer makes it
clear that Brazilian rhythms are
an important part of this band’s
sound and that rather helps the
outcome on the opening track.
Killer Joe was Benny Golson’s
most successful composition
in commercial terms but I’ve
always thought its simplicity
made it his weakest. The extra
rhythmic complexity compensates
for that, though it’s more
the icing on the cake on the next
track where one of Golson’s
finest themes gets a lively new
approach, as do Oliver Nelson’s
Stolen Moments and Horace Silver’s
Song For My Father. Adolfo
and Amuedo contribute melodic
and gently swinging solos and
Sadoc and Martins complement
those with fiercer attack and
more feeling. Martins puts plenty
of aggressive energy into his
tenor playing but is more lyrical
on soprano.The most original
contributions, however, come
from the trombone of Serginho
with the possibly adopted name.
Boasting a broad, warm tone and
good rhythmic control he in
some ways recalls David Baker’s
work with the George Russell
sextet over 50 years ago. As an
indication of the healthy state of
jazz in Brazil this CD is encouraging
indeed.
Graham Colombé