Andrea Brachfeld CD Review
Jazz flutist Andrea Brachfeld has ventured into a new area by recording her new album, Brazilian Whispers. Brachfeld a top jazz flutists, shows us how to immerse in a new venture and to come out with a beautiful and new take on Brazilian music by adding the flute as the lead instrument. She had a request from a fan to perform Brazilian music and she took up the challenge, listening to and attending many Brazilian music concerts. She gets great results.
Andrea pays tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim by playing and co-arranging eight Jobim songs (some of her favorites) including an innovative “Girl From Ipanema,” “Waters of March” and “Passarim” ( a beautiful ballad) among others. I especially enjoyed the track Samba Medley where Brachfeld plays much like a singer speaking a song or telling a story, the percussion/drums accompaniment in the medly by T. Portinho is perfect, clever, and humorous. There are 3 original pieces on the album which Brachfeld co-wrote with pianist Bill O’ Connell including Triste e Solitaria and Espaco Aberto which give us an upbeat original and satisfying ending. Andrea Brachfeld is soulful in her playing, with perfect sound choices, and vibrato for each piece.
Her band is stellar and includes terrific, experienced, and knowledgeable Samba players. They played with perfect coordination, originality, joy, and connection.
Bill O’ Connell: piano, Fender Rhodes
Harvie S: acoustic bass
Lincoln Goines: electric bass
Jason Tiemann: drums
T. Portinho: drums, percussion
Chembo Corniel: congas and percussion
If you want to get a feel for Brazilian music and how it might be to play it on flute check out this wonderful and interesting album!!
Review by Barbara Siesel