Duduka Da Fonseca Samba Jazz In Black & White CD

Drummer Duduka Da Fonseca's goal is to blend samba with jazz, and he succeeds throughout this colorful disc. His music is often gentle like sambas, but it is rhythmically complex in spots and features strong jazz improvising along with a pair of atmospheric vocals. There is more variety than expected and the music, although often soothing, is never overly predictable. The core quintet consists of the leader on drums and percussion, the talented Anat Cohen on reeds, guitarist Guilherme Monteiro, pianist Helio Alves, and bassist Leonardo Cioglia. Singers Maucha Adnet and Alana Da Fonseca are on "Mestre Bimba," with Adnet returning on "Medo de Amar." There are also two guest appearances for guitarist Vic Juris and the reeds of Paulo Levi, with trumpeter Claudio Roditi sitting in on "Bye Bye Brasil." Throughout this well-conceived set, Duduka Da Fonseca keeps the music flowing, swinging, and highly appealing. ~ Scott Yanow

Liner Note Authors: Duduka Da Fonseca; Zan Stewart.

Recording information: Acoustic Recording, Brooklyn, NY (09/26/2005-09/28/2005).

Author: Antonio Carlos Jobim.

Arrangers: Duduka Da Fonseca; Ion Muniz; Chico Adnet.

Personnel: Duduka Da Fonseca (drums, percussion); Duduka Da Fonseca; Vic Juris (guitar); Guilherme Monteiro (guitars, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Paulo Levi (flute, tenor saxophone); Claudio Roditi (trumpet); Alana Da Fonseca, Maucha Adnet (vocals); Anat Cohen (clarinet, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Helio Alves (piano); Leonardo Cioglia (acoustic bass).

Audio Mixer: James Farber.

Down Beat (p.62) - 4 stars out of 5 --"Despite the more modern bent of the music, there are flashes of Brazilian-jazz nostalgia....Da Fonseca divulges a keen awareness of where Brazilian jazz has been and where it's headed."