Carlos Henrique Pereira: There And Here

Multi-instrumentalist Carlos Henrique Pereira offers up an avant take on Brazilian jazz in There And Here. The tracks, all written by Pereira, were inspired by his native Brazil, and many, like "O Choro Do Bebê," directly reference traditional genres (a choro being a traditional song form).

Contemporary jazz with an edge of dissonance and deconstruction is the matrix that holds the various threads and influences together in this collection. The evocative compositions are brought to life by polished musicians. Pereira switches between acoustic guitar and piano on the tracks, displaying impressive facility on both instruments. A basic trio includes Scott Thompson on acoustic and electric bass and Lorca Hart on drums, bolstered by an interesting array of musicians that add color and texture to the music. Robyn Fidler Pereira is credited with producing a note on the wine glass in a track appropriately titled "Sonoma."

Ami Molinelli plays caxixi, a traditional Brazilian percussion instrument with a woven structure, in "Clarice," a track inspired by his mother, according to the liner notes. The song plays with traditional and well known Brazilian themes on the guitar against a contrasting rhythm on percussion, with the seed-filled caxixi adding a shimmering sound somethiing like the maracas. In some tracks, like "Outono 83," the familiar pokes through the modern jazz deconstruction more often. It's a melodic song that evolves through several themes and tempos, led by a fluid piano line over syncopated rhythms.

"Maia," a lyrical piano driven composition, is a standout track. It features an intriguing interplay between piano and Harvey Wainapel's bass clarinet, with Molinelli adding the distinctive ting of a triangle. The rhythm section of drummer Lorca Hart and Scott Thompson on acoustic bass shine on "There And Here," a kinetic track that's full of surprises. "Inland, Uphill" showcases Pereira's virtuosity at the piano against a busy drum line and judicious bass.

Pereira uses his palette of instrumental colors and musical materials deftly in this innovative and eclectic take on Brazilian jazz for the 21st century.