The eternally blissful music of Antonio Carlos Jobim was given an excuse for being celebrated on January 25, 2015 as it was what would have been the 88th birthday of the Brazilian legend. As if we need a reason!
Pianist Jovino Santos Neto brings together a suave team of Ben Thomas/vib, Chuck Deardorf/b, Mark Ivester/dr, Jeff Busch/perc and special guests Maucha Adnet/voc and Romer Lubambo/g for a rich hour a fresh reads of the Jobim songbook.
A pair of instrumentals include Neto’s piano and Thomas’ vibes bouncing with delight on “Surfboard” and Lubambo getting in some nice solos on “Samba De Uma Nota.” Teamed with the rich toned Adnet, he is lyrical to her passion on “A Felicidade” and agonizing on “Retrato em Branco e Preto” while floating in unison lines for “Chovendo n Roseira.” Of course, closing with the anthem “Garota de Ipanema” this concert keeps the Brazilian flame glowing brightly. Can one ever tire of this material that saved jazz?