Jobim

Air Date: 12/26/2021 

There are many great Brazilian jazz artists, but none shines as bright as Antonio Carlos Jobim (25 January 1927 – 8 December 1994). Take any Brazilian/World segment from the Sunday Jazz Brunch, and you will assuredly hear a song written by the master, probably several. And if you tune in this Sunday, you'll hear Mr. Jobim himself, playing one of several instruments or singing his own songs. 

That's right, Tom Jobim (as he is affectionately known in Brazil) plays piano and flute, as well as guitar. The studio wanted him portrayed with the guitar, and that's how he appears on the cover of The Composer of Desafinado Plays, although he considered guitar his 'second instrument,' played only by ear.

We'll hear a track from this CD during Brazil/World hour. You'll notice the prominent string orchestra arranged and conducted by Claus Ogerman as O Morro (Once I Loved) opens, before Mr. Jobim enters with a few simple notes on piano outlining the melody.

A bit later in the set, we forward to 1970 for the Creed Taylor release Stone Flower, with a track entitled Brazil. Here we have the strings again on this CTI release, this time arranged and conducted by Deodato. Other artists from the CTI stable appear on this release as well: Joe Farrell, Hubert Laws, Airto, and Ron Carter.

And then there is this track right in the middle of the set: Luiza, written and played by Mr. Jobim, from a compilation CD of seminal Brazilian jazz artists. The song is very emotional, and I have heard thrilling performances by many artists. But there is nothing like hearing the author sing, and you get the sense that he has lived this story of unrequited love. 

Other artists pay tribute to the master during the set. Vinicius Cantuária as well as Antonio Adolfo have tribute CDs that we'll hear from. Also included is the achingly beautiful instrumental Estrada Do Sol (Road to the Sun) performed on piano by Agostinhos dos Santos.

I've barely scratched the surface of the great music of Antonio Carlos Jobim. Perhaps I should devote the entire hour to his music. Let me know your thoughts!

There will be more from this artist on WICN during the month of January.

More Strings

You may have noticed that I have noticed that there are a lot of releases featuring strings lately. And that is making me really notice strings when they do appear. As in the aforementioned releases by Mr. Jobim. 😉

Dave Stryker's track Saudade from his new CD is just delicious, and you'll hear it during the first hour. But before that you'll hear the string quartet from Terence Blanchard's new CD Absence, as well as Jim Snidero's reissue CD Strings.

Also during your Contemplative Hour, I've included the new CD with strings from Chris Standring, as well as Alan Broadbent's tribute to Dave Brubeck featuring string orchestra. Kicking off hour two is Cory Weeds' new CD featuring 13-piece orchestra, What is There to Say.

David Finck, Joe Farnsworth

Besides being a great bass player, David Finck can be counted on to release CDs that have a mix of styles, including many guest artists, especially vocalists. You'll hear several tracks from his excellent new release Bassic Instinct. Given that his previous effort was titled Bassically Jazz, I am interested to find out what further wordplay will be used in the next CD from Mr. Finck!

I just got to listen to drummer Joe Farnsworth's latest release, and it is superb. How could it be otherwise, with the legend Kenny Barron on piano and Peter Washington on bass. Listen to their version of Moonlight in Vermont during hour two. This is a song expressed to perfection in trio setting. Magnificent! 

Robert Frost, Wayne Shorter

A few years ago I read Mr. Frost's Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening to accompany this great music on a cold winter morning. This year I'll do it again during the second hour, right after a great track from keyboardist Matthew Whitaker. But don't step away after the poem, as you'll hear a superb version of Wayne Shorter's Fall from the aforementioned new release of trumpeter Terence Blanchard. Check out bassist David Ginyard on this song. My subwoofer has never been happier.

The next show will have an air date in the year 2022. May we all make it, and in one piece, and with health and happiness. Happy new year!

Marty

HOUR ONE: Contemplative Morning

Terence Blanchard-Absence 2021-06 Envisioned Reflections (Intro)
Jim Snidero-Strings 2003-05 Theme for Ernie - Re-released 2021
Dave Stryker\As We Are 2021\Saudade
Jared Hall\Seen on the Scene 2021\If You Could See Me Now
Chris Standring-Wonderful World 2021-04 Estate
Mai Liis\On Life 2021\Number 9
Jim Snidero-Strings 2003-07 Ventura - Re-released 2021
Carrie Wicks\Reverie 2021\A Secret Place
Steve Million\JazzWords 2021\The Way Home
Alan Broadbent\Broadbent Plays Brubeck 2021\Home At Last
Sean Michael Giddings\Red Willow 2021\Sonata
Dave Stryker\As We Are 2021\As We Are

HOUR TWO: New For You

Cory Weeds\What is There to Say 2021\At Dawning
Joe Farnsworth-City Of Sounds 2021-05 Moonlight In Vermont
Samara Joy-Samara Joy 2021-05 It Only Happens Once
Gerry Gibbs-We're Back-11 Brazilian Rhyme 2014
Matthew Whitaker-Connections 2021-08 I'm Sorry
Reading of 'Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening' by Robert Frost
Terence Blanchard-Absence 2021-03 Fall
David Finck\BASSic Instinct 2021\Joy
Randy Napoleon\Rust Belt Roots 2021\The Man Who Sells Flowers
David Finck\BASSic Instinct 2021\10 Soon It's Gonna Rain (from The Fantasticks)
Ben Black-Mystery-and-Wonder 2021-Wind
Jim Knapp Orchestra\It's-Not-Business-It's-Personal 2021\Afterthought
David Finck\BASSic Instinct 2021\09 So What (feat Kelly Mittleman and Andy Snitzer)

HOUR THREE: Brazil/World

Joe Farnsworth-City Of Sounds 2021-03 Ojos Cariñosos
Ana Caram\The Other Side of Jobim 1992\01 Esperanca Perdida
David Finck\BASSic Instinct 2021\David Finck - 05 Bateu, Levou, Who's Wrong or Right (feat Téka Penteriche and Trist Curless)
[Songs composed by] Antonio Carlos Jobim-Some of the Best -09 Estrada Du Sol
Antonio Carlos Jobim-Composer of Desafinado Plays 1997-02 O Morro (Once I Loved)
Antonio Adolfo\Jobim Forever 2021\08 Agua De Beber
Antonio Carlos Jobim-Brazil The stars vol. 1 2002-16 Luiza
Vinicius Cantuária-Vinicius Canta Antonio Carlos Jobim-10 Felicidade 2015
Antonio Carlos Jobim-Stone Flower 1970-10 Brazil

HOUR FOUR: Groove, Baby

Marion Meadows-Twice As Nice 2021-09 Don't Wait Up
Karen Marguth\Until 2021\Maureen
Charles Langford-Powerless 2021-01 Better Days Ahead
Nnenna Freelon\Time Traveler 2021\Marvin Medley
Joey DeFrancesco-More Music 2021-09 More Music
Nicole Henry - TIME TO LOVE AGAIN 2021 6. Until It's Time for You To Go
Kenny Garrett-Sounds from the Ancestors 2021-02 Hargrove
Jared Hall\Seen on the Scene 2021\Farewell
Brian Simpson\All That Matters 2021\Bonita
Andrew Neu-Everything Happens for a Reason-11 Date Night 2013
Elena Maque\Feel Again 2021\09 Like A Song
Matthew Whitaker-Connections 2021-02 A New Day

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