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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 […]
“Flutist Andrea Brachfeld’s latest release does more than just whisper ‘Brazil.’” “…Brachfeld’s soulful alto flute on ‘Never Let Me Go.’” ~Bob Bernotas, Jazz Bob, June 2020
Flutist Andrea Brachfeld’s latest release does more than just whisper “Brazil’.” Start with eight classics from the vast Jobim songbook given some innovative touches — “Waters of March” infused with a swing feel, “Girl from Ipanema” recast as a samba. Add to them three genre-rich tunes co-composed by Brachfeld and pianist Bill O’Connell and Brachfeld’s soulful alto flute on “Never Let Me […]
“Brachfeld is dreamy on ‘Passarim’ and blends with ‘Ben-Hur’ on the sublime ‘Amparo’ …” “O’Connell and Harvie S create a sublime mood for Brachfeld’s alto tones of a cirrus cloud on ‘Never Let Me Go’…” ~George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly, April 9, 2020
Andrea Brachfeld plays both C and alto flute with a galloping team of Bill O’Connell/p-key, Harvie S-Lincoln Goines/b, Jason Tiemann/dr, Portinho/dr, Roni Ben-Hur/g and Chembo Corniel/perc on this mix of Jobim and originals. O’Connell’s keyboards give a vintage CTI soul feel to the rich read of “Double Rainbow” and “Ligia” as Portinho’s brushes glide to the […]
“The core of Andrea Brachfeld’s Insight Quartet knows Brazilian music well and performed it flawlessly.” “These talented musicians performed like a well-oiled machine to produce music that transports you south to the land of the caipirinha.” “Brazilian Whispers” is a refreshing album of Brazilian music. You get to listen to Jobim’s songs in a brand new way, […]
“Brazilian Whispers” is the result of fan request for Andrea Brachfeld to play more Brazilian music. Her thorough research resulted in an album true to the music while conserving her signature style. Original Brazilian Music Standards Once Andrea decided to release an album of Brazilian jazz, she did a thorough research of the country’s music. In particular, […]
“Antonio Carlos ‘Tom’ Jobim is the gift that keeps on giving – and where the flautist Brachfeld is concerned, his generosity knows no bounds.” “…it’s as seamless as one might expect from a woman whose four – decade career includes eight albums under her own name and sessions for a veritable who’s who of Latin […]
~Jane Cornwell, Jazzwise.com, April 2020
There’s comfort in flutist Brachfeld’s loving embrace of samba and bossa nova in this tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim. Although she doesn’t dare so much as a single wayward note, her full-bodied sonorous tone makes for a consistently pleasant listen. ~Eric Snider, Jazziz.com, March 2020