John Pizzarelli

bossa nova

Telarc CD 83591

John Pizzarelli, guitar and vocals, Ray Kennedy, piano; Martin Pizzarelli, bass; Paulibho Braga, drums; Jim Saporito, percussion; Cesar Camargo, piano; Harry Allen, tenor saxophone; Daniel Jobim, background vocals; Chiara Civello, background vocals.

Singer/guitarist John Pizzarelli sings and plays his way through thirteen tracks of varied shades, a mixture of American and Brazilian music played by American and Brazilian musicians ; which means, of course, the feel of Brazil is never far away. Carlos Jobim's "One Note Samba" opens the set and is notable for some fine guitar and piano interplay, Gershwin's "Fascinatin' Rhythm" is then followed by Carlos Jobim's "The Girl from Ipanema". Five Jobim numbers feature, and two from Pizzarelli; his singing is light, undemonstrative and gentle, the Latin pulse uplifting. He uses eight musicians, including Carlos Jobim's grandson Daniel Jobim; on Stephen Sondheim's "I Remember" he includes a string quartet, and on "Aquas De Marco" (Waters of March), a flute quartet. This is a relaxed, warming set, and very good value.

Ferdinand Maylin