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ALBUM REVIEW March 3, 2021

César Cardoso: Dice of Tenors

Read "Dice of Tenors" reviewed by Hrayr Attarian

The captivating and cinematic Dice of Tenors is Portugese saxophonist César Cardoso's fourth release as a leader. Cardoso has brought together an international octet of accomplished musicians for an eight track tribute to six saxophone giants including John Coltrane, Hank Mobley, and Benny Golson. In addition to six standards either penned or popularized by these legendary tenorists, there are two Cardoso originals which are in the same spirit as the covers. Cardoso's haunting “Rafaela" is constructed out of ...

ALBUM REVIEW May 3, 2020

Cesar Cardoso: Dice of Tenors

By Jack Bowers

Dice of Tenors is Portuguese-bred tenor saxophonist Cesar Cardoso's ardent salute to a half-dozen of the world's foremost tenor saxophone masters: Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane, Hank Mobley, Joe Henderson and Benny Golson. To carry out that purpose, Cardoso has convened an admirable octet on which he shares the front line with trumpeter Jason Palmer, alto Miguel Zenon, trombonist Massimo Morganti and vibraphonist Jeffery Davis. The group's hard-working rhythm section consists of pianist Oscar Graca, bassist Demian Cabaud and ...

ALBUM REVIEW April 26, 2020

César Cardoso: Dice of Tenors

By Friedrich Kunzmann

Judging solely by the credits and scope of the Portuguese saxophonist César Cardoso's newest undertaking, one could expect a pretty conservative affair. The title of the album sums it up quite adequately. From Benny Golson to Sonny Rollins to Joe Henderson, Cardoso cuts through the oeuvre of some of the most distinguished masters of the tenor saxophone and presents their works in a new light. Of course John Coltrane's “Giant Steps" can't be left out of this equation. Sound familiar? ...

ALBUM REVIEW August 2, 2018

Cesar Cardoso: Interchange

By Don Phipps

On his album Interchange, Portuguese tenor saxophonist César Cardoso offers up a lively set of original compositions to make the head nod and the heart soar. Cardoso hails from Portugal and his music is vaguely reminiscent of Weather Report--but instead of Joe Zawinul's playful keyboard there is Bruno Santos on guitar, propelling the music forward with lines that accentuate the strong melodic phrasing of Cardoso and guest alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón. This front three is backed ably by the rhythm ...

ALBUM REVIEW June 8, 2018

Cesar Cardoso: Interchange

By Jack Bowers

Every now and then, musicians whose names and reputations are relatively unknown may be appraised in some measure by the company they keep. On his third recording as leader, Portuguese-born tenor saxophonist Cesar Cardoso, a new name in this neighborhood, is in splendid company indeed, adding to his working quartet the talents of multi-Grammy Award nominee Miguel Zenon, a Puerto Rican alto saxophonist who has been awarded Guggenheim and MacArthur fellowships, recorded roughly ten albums of his own and appeared ...