Acoustic Brazilian music; modern versions based on traditional genres.
Harvey Wainapel - clarinet/sax
Paul Lieberman - flute
Jason Ennis - acoustic 7-string guitar
Lucas Casacio - percussion
San Francisco-based saxophonist/clarinetist Harvey Wainapel (pronounced “Wine- apple”) has arranged a program for this acoustic quartet, which will present modern
versions of traditional Brazilian genres, including Choro, Samba, Maxixe, and Ijexá. The full emotional range of Brazil’s great music will be on display, from joyous excitement to tender sentimental nostalgia...Wainapel has been a professional musician for over 50 years. Like most jazz musicians, he was easily seduced by the music of Brazil; he followed up on that fascination, and has visited the country more than 20 times, staying for at least a month each time, researching, performing, and recording. He recorded two CDs there under his own name: “Amigos Brasileiros” and “Amigos Brasileiros vol. 2,” both of which have earned glowing reviews. Wainapel enlisted a different group of musicians and a different comoposer for each track, including Guinga, Marco Pereira, Spok, Gilson Peranzzetta, André Mehmari, Itiberê Zwarg, and many others. He co-produced the duo CD “New Choros of Brazil” with guitar virtuoso Paulo Bellinati, and the trio CD “Novos Caminhos” with the San-São Trio, along with two major figures of Brazil’s instrumental music: pianist Amilton Godoy and flutist/pianist Léa Freire. Wainapel was a member of ex-Hermeto Pascoal pianist Jovino Santos Neto’s quintet, and was featured on three of the group’s CDs, one of which, “Canto do Rio,” was a Grammy nominee for Best Latin Jazz Album of 2004. (Wainapel’s jazz experience has led him to perform and record with such notables as McCoy Tyner, Kenny Barron, Dave Brubeck, Billy Hart, Gary Burton, Joe Henderson, and Holland’s Metropole Orkest, among many others. He has toured internationally with Ray Charles, Joe Lovano, and Flora Purim/Airto Moreira, and has presented his own work in clubs, festivals, studios, and workshops in 17 countries.) “Wainapel has created a Brazilian stew of native musical genres sure to please anyone wanting to experience the best that this intriguing country offers to an American audience that has had little exposure beyond Bossa Nova.” ––Audiophile Edition review of Amigos Brasileiros “Amigos Brasileiros Vol. 2 winds like a long river journey, quiet yet powerful, through Brazil's subtle, sometimes complex rhythms, and its nine tracks combine to sound like one beautifully flowing piece.” ––All About Jazz review of Amigos Brasileiros vol. 2 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ DownBeat review of Amigos Brasileiros vol. 2 “The whole set traverses all the emotions that choro is capable of; it looks like the choro as a form will continue to beguile countless listeners and musicians well into the 21st century and beyond.” ––Classical Guitar Magazine review of New Choros of Brazil Reviewing a concert appearance with guitar virtuoso Paulo Bellinati, Rio de Janeiro’s daily newspaper O Globo wrote “Wainapel displayed incredible intimacy with the language of Brazilian music and great stage presence.” Sax master Joe Lovano states “It’s a pleasure to listen to Harvey’s soulful interpretations.” “Harvey understands Brazilian music in a way that’s very unusual; he’s got the spirit, he’s a great musician!” ––Ivan Lins