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The Antonio Adolfo Quartet
www.antonioadolfomusic.com
CD Release Event
Rio, Choro, Jazz
A Tribute to Ernesto Nazareth
At
Michiko Stage Room
Michiko Studios
(Michiko Studios Web Page)
149 West 46th St
New York, NY 10036
212.302.4011
Antonio Adolfo on Piano
Laura Dreyer on Flute & Soprano/Tenor Saxes
Paul Nowinski on Double Bass
Rafael Barata on Drums
Special Guest: Hendrik Meurkens on Harmonica
Press: Jim@JazzPromoServices.com
Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
July 2, 2014
Program:
“Partido Leve” by Antonio Adolfo
“Rio, Choro, Jazz” by Antonio Adolfo
“Brejeiro” by Ernesto Nazareth
“Não Caio Noutra” by Ernesto Nazareth
“Easy To Love” by Cole Porter
“Fon-Fon” by Ernesto Nazareth
“Tenebroso” by Ernesto Nazareth
“Cascavel” by Antonio Adolfo
“A Night in Tunisia” by Dizzy Gillespie
Amidst a torrential, early summer storm, the Antonio Adolfo Quartet presented a dynamic and impressive CD release concert at Michiko Stage Room on West 46th Street. The room was packed with Antonio’s fans, devoted to his mastery of Brazilian-Jazz fusion. The new CD, to be reviewed on these pages soon, is Rio, Choro, Jazz…, a tribute album to Ernesto Nazareth, the legendary Brazilian composer and pianist. After greeting his brave audience, the quartet drew the crowd in with “Partido Leve”, Antonio Adolfo’s composition. Laura Dreyer led the opening theme on flute, and the ensemble created a nice tempo, with Paul Nowinski’s steady bass. Antonio added rapid, high trills, with the support of Rafael Barata’s clavé drum rhythms. A bass solo was joined by metal percussive effects, making this piece more than samba, more than jazz. It ended in a flash. The second piece, Antonio’s title composition from his new CD, has intoxicating tones and a compelling theme. It’s lyrical and upbeat, with Ms. Dreyer’s flute trills in feathery, warbling phrases. Deep bass chords follow, with danceable refrains.
“Brejeiro”, by Ernesto Nazareth, has ballad-like momentum and voluminous piano solos. Mr. Barata’s drums kick the piece up a notch, while Mr. Nowinski’s bass adds alternate, smooth harmonies, making piano and bass sound like duo vocalists. Ms. Dreyer’s flute was effervescent. Nazareth’s “Não Caio Noutra”, composed in 1881, evokes the oeuvres of Chopin, Joplin, and Jobim. In fact, this piece could easily be adapted for ballet choreography, it’s so enchanting and rhythmic. Cole Porter’s “Easy To Love” was a natural next, with some mambo and samba tempos, as well. It was certainly a unique interpretation, but retained the ebullience of the original ballad. Mr. Nowinski led the theme with electric drum backup from Mr. Barata, while Ms. Dreyer switched to a soaring tenor sax. The music moved like Carnaval in Rio. “Fon-Fon” by Nazareth was led by Ms. Dreyer and Antonio (who is known by his first and middle names). A sax-piano introduction was a tribute to cacophonous autos on a busy street. Opportunities abounded for in-the-moment improvisation.
Nazareth’s “Tenebroso” elevated the mood to romanticism, with Ms. Dreyer switching to soprano sax. The piece evoked Chopin and classicism. “Cascavel” by Antonio is a tune dedicated to the wrath of a rattlesnake, led by piano with bouncy rapidity and jazzy explosiveness. It had a dervish, dizzying quality, an engaging piece. The final tune of the event was joined by guest artist, Hendrik Meurkens, on harmonica. “A Night in Tunisia”, by Dizzy Gillespie, delighted the crowd, ending the evening in musical heaven. This quintet of pros interpreted the Gillespie standard with exotic, layered harmonies. Mr. Meurkens has been reviewed on this page multiple times and always brings richly hued tunefulness to the experience. Kudos to Antonio Adolfo and his delightful event. When we left, the rain had stopped.
Antonio Adolfo on Piano
at Michiko Stage Room
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Laura Dreyer on Flute
Paul Nowinski on Double Bass
at Michiko Stage Room
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Rafael Barata on Drums
at Michiko Stage Room
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Laura Dreyer on Soprano Sax
Paul Nowinski on Double Bass
at Michiko Stage Room
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Antonio Adolfo on Piano
at Michiko Stage Room
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Laura Dreyer on Tenor Sax
Paul Nowinski on Double Bass
at Michiko Stage Room
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Rafael Barata on Drums
at Michiko Stage Room
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Laura Dreyer on Tenor Sax
Paul Nowinski on Double Bass
Hendrik Meurkens on Harmonica
at Michiko Stage Room
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
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