FIGUEIRA MARCO - CD BRAZILLIANCE

Popis - BRAZILLIANCE:
Figueira, Marco Blue Toucan Brazilliance Latin Performance: 4 Sound: 4 O's Notes: Marco sings, plays guitar, produces and wrote most of the popular Brazilian music on this CD. He caught our attention with the second song, 'Minha', with sweet trumpet from Claudio Roditi and smooth natural strings. The samba feeling was fully kicked in by track 3, 'Amizade' an upbeat relaxer. It continued including cool covers of 'Corcovado', 'Aguas de Mar?o' and 'Feito N-s'. It's a happy session and a strong debut for Figueira. O's Place Jazz Favorites www.osplacejazz.com This charming collection of twelve songs, all sung in Portuguese and playey by a superb team of Brazilian/Cuban musicians, gives reign to a variety of moods and rhythms. Marco is a very experienced purveyor of the vocal art, conjuring memories of Sergio Mendez and Antonio Carlos Jobim. Claudio, Hendrik and Oscar are featured soloists on several tracks and they each add their own magic to this wonderful music, but it is the highly talented Marco who consistently entertains throughout this disc. It may not be Jazz per se, but it is certainly Jazz influenced. Don't miss the pleasure of listening to this music. Al Merritt - Jazznow. Marco Figueira Braziliance (Blue Toucan) Warm and relaxed, Marco Figueira's singing here is ideally suited for the smooth jazz mood. As the album title indicates, the music deftly brings in and blends the gently rhythmic sounds of Brazil. Some of the songs are Marco's own while others are drawn from the song books of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Milton Nascimento and other South American composers. Among Marco's accompanists are guitarist Paulo André Tavares, pianist Helio Alves, bassist Sergio Brand?o, with guest trumpeter Claudio Roditi Bruce Crowther-The Encyclopedia of Popular Music/UK JAZZ . . . and other obsessions - Bruce Crowther's Website Review: Whatever it is that makes a listener fall in love with Brazilian music--the insouciance and elegance of an unobtrusive, yet driving beat, the romance that drips like honey from lips of a vocalist singing in Portuguese, or just the exotic sounds and rhythms from a tropical land--the listener will likewise fall in love with the music on the new CD by guitarist/singer/songwriter Marco Figueira, Brazilliance. Reviewed by: Craig W.Hurst Copyright© 2004 JazzReview Singer, guitarist and songwriter Marco Figueira was born in Carangola, a small town in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. His love of music found its expression early on, when he began to sing and play guitar at the age of eight. In 1988, Marco fulfilled a long-held dream of moving to New York City. It was here that he quickly established himself as both a solo performer and bandleader, playing for a devoted following in a wide variety of venues. As it has for so many musicians over the years, New York afforded Marco the chance to study and play with some of the top performers in Brazilian and American jazz. He studied guitar with Paulo André Tavares, Romero Lubambo and Paul Meyers, and voice with Datevik Hovanesian. CD Reviews: Marco Figueira ''Brazilliance'' (Blue Toucan Music) Posted by: Adminon Sunday, May 09, 2004 - 08:40 AM George W. Carroll It's like listening to a superb clinic on latino music giving by the great Johnny Mandel. Producer Marco Figueira has rallied his troops, giving us a strong example of solid musical artistry. This CD is a pleasurable way to intensify your listening tolerance one-on-one with a well produced group. Figueira is a producer's producer. Particular kudos to Hendrick Meurkens who cameos on harmonica, as well as the sexy, lilting background emanating from Marco's lustrous string section. Gotta give em'an 'A'. George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman 23 Reads