|
contents | jazz | |||||||||||||
| NEW JAZZHEADS RELEASE: VANDERLEI PEREIRA AND BLINDFOLD TEST VISION FOR RHYTHM A greatly in-demand Brazilian drummer who has been in the U.S. for over 30 years, Vanderlei Pereira's mastery of rhythms, superb technique, and versatility have uplifted a countless number of sessions. Vision for Rhythm is the recording debut of his group, Blindfold Test, and it features fresh material, rich melodies, infectious rhythms, colorful solos, and a very attractive group sound. Most of the dozen selections utilize Susan Pereira's voice as part of the ensemble. Her wordless vocals and strong scat-singing abilities, along with the beauty of her tone, help give Blindfold Test its own sound. Other major contributors are Jorge Continentino on tenor and flutes (Rodrigo Ursaia's equally skilled tenor is on three tracks), pianist Deanna Witkowski, acoustic guitarist Paul Meyers, and Gustavo Amarante or Itaiguara Brandão on bass. Performing tunes that include three Pereira originals: "Ponto de Partida" ("Point of Departure"), "O Que Ficou" ("What Remains"), and "De Volta à Festa" ("Back to the Party"); a song apiece by Airto Moreira, Edu Lobo, and Antonio Adolfo; and other rewarding material, Vision for Rhythm is filled with enthusiasm and spirited music. The individual solos contain creativity and passion while always being a logical outgrowth of the ensemble, and they are inspired by the exhilarating rhythms of Pereira. The exciting opener, Airto Moreira's "Misturada, " gets the momentum flowing for the memorable program, which includes both energetic performances and mellower pieces ("O Que Ficou" and "Les Matins de Rixensart") before concluding with the title cut, a melodic showcase for the leader's drums. Born and raised in Macaé, Brazil, Vanderlei Pereira began playing drums professionally when he was 15. He earned his degree from the Academia de Música Lorenzo Fernandes in Rio de Janeiro and performed with the prestigious Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira. As a result of inherited retinitis pigmentosa, he became blind in his early thirties. While he could no longer work as a classical musician (since it requires reading), he did not let his loss of sight stop him, and he concentrated on his work as a top jazz and samba drummer. After moving to New York, Pereira became a greatly in-demand drummer on the Brazilian jazz scene and earned a degree in Jazz Studies from the Mannes College of Music. He has appeared and recorded with many musical greats, including Toots Thielemans, Airto Moreira and Flora Purim, Sivuca, Leila Pinheiro, Dom Salvador, Bebel Gilberto, Leny Andrade, Tito Puente, Arturo O'Farrill's Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, Paul Winter, Claudio Roditi, Romero Lubambo, Emílio Santiago, Manfredo Fest, Hendrik Meurkens, Helio Alves, Weber Iago, George Colligan, and Susannah McCorkle, among many others. Now, with the release of Vision for Rhythm, Vanderlei Pereira will be thought of not as only as a masterful Brazilian jazz drummer and a very valuable sideman, but also as a significant bandleader with his own distinct musical concept. Artist: VANDERLEI PEREIRA AND BLINDFOLD TEST Title: VISION FOR RHYTHM LABEL: JAZZHEADS CATALOG #: JH1242 Artist Website: www.vanderleipereira.com Label Website: www.jazzheads.com Release Date: MAY 22, 2020 UPC Code: 089818124228 Track Listing 1 Misturada (Mixing) (Airto Moreira) 4:39 2 Ponto de Partida (Point of Departure) (Vanderlei Pereira) 4:44 3 Chapéu Palheta (Straw Hat) (Toninho Ferragutti) 5:19 4 Mercado Modelo (Kimson Plaut) 5:30 5 O Que Ficou (What Remains) (Vanderlei Pereira) 6:59 6 The Cry and The Smile (Nando Lauria) 9:10 7 Partido Leve (Antonio Adolfo) 6:36 8 Corrupião (Oriole) (Edu Lobo) 7:07 9 Les Matins de Rixensart (The Mornings of Rixensart) (Jasnam Daya Singh) 6:44 10 Alma Brasileira (Brazilian Soul) (Zeca Freitas) 5:24 11 De Volta à Festa (Back to the Party) (Vanderlei Pereira) 5:49 12 Vision for Rhythm (Vanderlei Pereira) 2:01 Total Time - 70:03 Musicians: Jorge Continentino – tenor sax, flute, alto flute, pifano; Susan Pereira – voice, percussion; Deanna Witkowski – piano; Paul Meyers – acoustic guitar; Gustavo Amarante – electric bass; Vanderlei Pereira – drums; Rodrigo Ursaia – tenor sax (tracks 6, 9, 10); Itaiguara Brandão – electric bass (tracks 6, 9, 10) write your comments about the article :: © 2020 Jazz News :: home page |