While the flute has been an important part of Cuban music and Afro-Cuban jazz since its beginnings, it is heard less often in Brazilian jazz settings. That is surprising since its soothing sound is a natural fit for gentle bossa novas.
Andrea Brachfeld, one of the top jazz flutists of the past few decades, had lessons early on from Jimmy Heath and Yusef Lateef, attended the Manhattan School of Music, played with many Afro-Cuban bands in New York back in the 1970s, and also mastered straight ahead jazz. Since that time she has recorded a wide variety of albums.
Brazilian Whispers features the flutist performing six Jobim songs, a “Samba Medley,” three songs co-written with pianist Bill O’Connell, and “Never Let Me Go.” While the music is Brazilian-oriented, it is not just a recreation of early bossa-novas. The chord structures are often modernized, the musicians are energetic and not tied down to the bossa-nova rhythms, and Andrea Brachfeld has many opportunities to stretch herself. She is often joined by her regular rhythm section (keyboardist O’Connell, bassist Harvie S and drummer Jason Tienman) but at other times interacts with guitarist Roni Ben-Hur, bassist Lincoln Goines, drummer T. Portinho, and percussionist Chembo Corniel. Among the selections are a mellow “Double Rainbow,” “Waters Of March,” the lyrical “Triste E Solitaria,” and a surprisingly hyper version of “The Girl From Ipanema.” The leader and Bill O’Connell are the main soloists and, while they play melodically, their improvisations are inventive and sometimes take the music into surprising directions.
Throughout the fine outing, Andrea Brachfeld is heard in top form, making this CD an excellent introduction to her artistry. Brazilian Whispers is available from www.originarts.com.
~Scott Yanow, Los Angeles Jazz Review, November 2020