Antonio Adolfo — “Hello, Herbie"
In 1962, 15-year-old pianist Antonio Adolfo discovered Rio’s Beco das Garrofas (Bottle Alley) district. It was in the clubs of this alley that he absorbed jazz and samba. Antonio came of age backing singer Leny Andrade and trombonist Raul de Souza. Adolfo, who now divides his time equally between Florida and Brazil, has written many bossa nova classics, including some popularized by Sergio Mendes. On his new album, he salutes piano giant Herbie Hancock with a swinging original that features a great trumpet solo by Jesse Sadoc. The chemistry between Adolfo and Sadoc, is not unlike that between Hancock and the late Freddie Hubbard.