He’s already won a Grammy for an earlier Brazilian album, but this time around Bill Cunliffe goes deeper into the country, celebrating the rainforests on this sumptuous three part suite. He’s teamed up with the Temple University String Orchestra conducted by Jose Luis Dominguez, along with jazzers Terrell Stafford/tp, Dick Oatts/as, Tim Warfield/ts-ss, Bruce Barth p, Mike Boone/b and Justin Faulkner/dr.
“Black River” mixes some gorgeous Oatts alto sax and strings framed around bold colors, with a sauntering Latin Lupe Loo, featuring Warfield’s penetrating soprano sax. There’s some rich Gil Evansy textures surrounding Cunliffe on the delicate “ Midnight Island” while Stafford plays like a Latin Lover on the upbeat “Batucada” surrounded by glorious woodwinds punching their way through. Evocative moods; if this band tours, get in line!