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Gil Spitzer: Falando Docemente
ByWith Falando Docemente alto saxophonist Gil Spitzerwho cites Stan Getz as a major influenceoffers up his debut with a Bossa Nova/Getz-ian mainstream jazz sound, with an exquisitely crafted, always enchanting set that also pays tribute to alto saxophonist Paul Desmondof the Dave Brubeck Quartet fameand the Great American Songbook.
The familiar "Angel Eyes" opens the set, in a bit of an up-tempo mode. Spitzer's tone is sweet and cleana gorgeous and mellifluous flow, a classic jazz sound in front of crisp rhythm section, with Chico Pinheiro's acoustic guitar giving the sounds some snap. Gershwin's "Embraceable You" marinates in the Bossa Nova mood, sounding like an outtake from Getz/Gilberto. Then things gets bluesy on Spitzer's lone original composition on the disc, "Blues For Harry A." He is joined here by tenor saxophonist Harry Allen, who gives the sound Lou Donaldson vibe.
A touch of elegance is added on three tunes with the addition of a string quarteta gorgeous take on the often-covered "The Very Thought Of You," a pensive "Nature Boy," and oddlybut very effectivelyon Sonny Rollins' "Valse Hot," that sounds like a spirited classical music piece here.
Spitzer nods to Dave Brubeck's favorite alto sax man on "Bossa Antigua," from Paul Desmond's overlooked 1964 RCA Victor album of the same name, laying laid out the tune with a loving faithfulness to the original.
Spitzer and the band and the guests are full of easy-flowing virtuosity and velvety cool passion throughout, on this remarkable debut.
Track Listing
Angel Eyes; Embraceable You; Blues For Harry A; The Very Thought Of You; Bossa Antigua; This is For Luisa; This I Dig Of You; Nature Boy; Triste; Early Autumn; My Romance; Valse Hot.
Personnel
Gil Spitzer
saxophoneGil Spitzer alto saxophone; Chico Pinheiro: guitar (1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12); Harry Allen: tenor saxophone (3, 7, 10); Julian Shore: piano (1, 3, 4, 4, 6, 6-12); Nilson Matta: acoustic bass; Mauricio Zottarelli: drums (5, 6, 9, 11); Steve Johns: drums (1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 10, 12); Fernando Saci: percussion (2, 9, 11); Amanda Lo: violin (4, 8, 12); Monica Davis: violin (4, 8, 12); Angela Pickett: viola (4, 8, 12);Jessie Reagen Man: cello (4, 8, 12).
Album information
Title: Falando Docemente | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Zoho Music