Clarice Assad, Grammy-nominated vocalist, composer, and pianist, and her father, virtuoso guitarist Sérgio Assad of the legendary Assad Brothers, explore the evolution of samba and jazz-influenced Brazilian song. “Clarice constantly captivates, whether singing in Portuguese, delivering wordless vocals, or taking to the piano bench, and Sérgio, likewise, manages to seduce with his every gesture on guitar,” says allaboutjazz.com.
In an exciting musical journey together, father and daughter describe and showcase sambas from the greatest contributors of this musical genre through the years, starting with composer Donga and continuing with Ismael Silva, Sinhô, Noel Rosa, Ary Barroso, Dorival Caimmy, Tom Jobim, Baden Powell, Cartola, Joâo Bosco, among other very important composers of this quintessential Brazilian style.
Clarice and Sergio performing together, some 30 years ago.
The first recorded musical collaboration between Sergio and Clarice Assad. Clarice & Sergio Assad's first album together features new songs by Sergio Assad, with renowned Brazilian lyricists such as Chico Cesar, Thiago Amud, Vinicius Castro & Daniel Basilio. Special guests include clarinetist Derek Bermel, mandolinist Mike Marshall, Keita Ogawa on percussion and Yasushi Nakamura, bass. RELEASE DATE: July 15th, on the Adventure Music label.
Really lovely sounds from the father/daughter team of Clarice and Sergio Assad – a pair who would already be great as a musical duo, even without a family connection! Sergio plays acoustic guitar throughout – with a fullness of sound, but also the lighter, lyrical sensibility that makes him a perfect match for Clarice's vocals – which have that mix of jazz and more personal expression we love in our favorite Brazilian singers from the 70s – like Tania Maria or Joyce. The songs are simple, and often poetic – but never in a soppy way – more like they're being written in air by guitar and voice, creating a marvelous portrait in sound. Titles include "Capoeira", "Cidade", "Sol De Clave", "Ventos", "The Last Song", "Angela", and "Song For My Father". © 1996-2016, Dusty Groove, Inc.
RINGER OF THE WEEK****
Who says a strong family doesn’t make you a better person? The father-daughter team of Clarice and Sergio Assad, as the movies say, “make beautiful music together” on this collection of gentle Latin and Iberian originals. Dad plays guitar and sings along; daughter sings and plays along on piano, and the result is a cozy and intimate hour of auditory joy.
Various guests join the family as well. Percussionist Keita Ogawa lends his percussion to Clarice’s husky voice on the sleek groove of “Cidade” and along with Derek Bermei’s clarinet, adds extra depth to her own vocal percussive work on “Artistico.” Lovely pastoral guitar strums are embraced on “Reiquia” and the chiming “The Last Song” while gentle ripples of the piano are caressed on “Ventos.” Sergio’s avuncular voice caresses Andalusian moods with a rich vocal and guitar tone on “Capoeira” and the team sound cozy on the reflective and dream like “Sol de Clave.” This is a disc that only committed families can make; hopefully others less fortunate will understand it. JAZZ WEEKLY
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