Mr. Liebman explains that “as I have learned so often in the case of other composers' music, once you get inside the work, a universe opens up. I researched Jobim's music out of curiosity after a friend gave me a collection from Brazil and going through it at the piano, I found many that I didn't recognize and thought it would be a rewarding project to do in the music in a straight ahead Jazz format, rather than attempting a Brazilian interpretation."
“Jobim's music supposedly receives the greatest annual publishing revenues of any composer. This is because his songs represent one of the greatest examples of how the musical elements of rhythm, melody, harmony and form can be combined into the greater whole. Everything fits like a glove; the harmony is simple but always with a little wrinkle thrown in, the forms are slightly different even when you expect normal eight bar patterns, and the melodies can stand by themselves which to me is the hallmark of a truly great composer."
With his mastery of soprano, alto and tenor saxophones, Indian bamboo flute and piano, Dave Liebman and his quartet of ten years - guitarist Vic Juris, bassist Tony Marino and drummer Jamey Haddad - demonstrate their extensive musical scope through the expression of the beauty contained in Jobim's compositions.
Tracks include a sensitive interpretation of “Pois E," an evocative “Eu Tu Amo," and “Fotografia." A John Coltrane disciple, Liebman's impassioned tenor creativity pays tribute to his Master with his smooth cry and gentle flurries in “Sabia," as well as some poignant flute work to the infectious polyrhythms of “O Morro." The icing on the cake is a hauntingly evocative 'Dindi' which displays Liebman's fine piano stylings.
The David Liebman Group: David Liebman: soprano, tenor saxophones, Indian bamboo flute, piano; Vic Juris: steel string and nylon acoustic guitars, electric guitar and guitar synthesizer; Tony Marino: acoustic and “stick" bass; and Jamey Haddad: drums, percussion, jam man.
“After years of playing together, The Liebman group is a closely-attuned band that plays challenging, colourful music, that seems capable of drawing the most blas
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