Here’s a nice project of modern Latin Jazz and stuff, by one of the premier flutists in Latin jazz… It’s perfectly radio ready Latin Jazz, but it’s smart too, something that will entertain musicians as well. Highly Recommended.

– Peter Watrous, Descarga.com

How would you like to sit a few feet from one of the greatest masters of the jazz flute in the world, be able to watch her every move, and be able to hang with the band between sets?

…Andrea ranks with the absolute top handful of jazz flautists in the entire world (or universe) with blazing technique, a deep love for the Latin tinge, a soulful flute sound that is a cross between Charlie Parker, Roland Kirk and the great monsters of the classical instrument.

Andrea has it all, and it is a great mystery of life how she can walk the earth without a major record contract, a spot on the nightly news and her face on Time magazine. There was one moment of playing on her classic Haynes instrument where she got some tonalities out of the lower register, which were sounds only Stan Getz truly knew.

This was beyond flute music, because Andrea is high and above a master player who has the power and technique of a really hot saxophonist, the lyrical reach of, say, Bobby Hutcherson, and the rhythmic power of a congalero like Poncho Sanchez. The jazz spy says this is it: moments of complete transcendence, melodic beauty, driving complex rhythms, complete mastery, and cosmic artistic bliss.

Life is too short without this kind of flying through space. And please see her live. Jazz is meant for intimate communication between the artist and you. After a performance like this, you are renewed. This is the bliss of the jazz life. This is what everyone meant when they said “Bird lives.” This is music from the planets, right here on earth. The Jazz Spy says check it out.

-Kenneth L. Vermes, The Jazz Spy, April 6, 2010, JazzWest.com

Having spent 30-plus years playing Latin music, Kendall Park resident Andrea Brachfeld boasts considerable musical acumen. The flutist and composer’s cast here includes pianist Bob Quaranta, bassist Andy Eulau, drummer Kim Plainfield, and her longtime colleague, conga drummer Chembo Corniel. The music travels many avenues of Latin jazz. “Danzón for Richard” mixes that rhythmic flavor with swing. Brachfeld follows Elio Villafranca’s assured remarks with zesty lines delivered with a vibrant, breathy sound. Eulau’s bass is fat and propulsive in support. On her upbeat “Q,” Brachfeld displays poise and invention at high speed. Corniel scores with staggered conga taps, and those in steady bursts. “Cha Cha Blue” has a steamy groove, which the leader spiritedly exploits. Frank Stagnitta’s “Desperado” sways seamlessly between samba and Afro-Cuban feels. Quaranta offers a meaty solo. “Descarga del Mundo,” a vital son, includes brilliant-toned trumpet expressions from guest Brian Lynch.

– Zan Stewart, writer for New Jersey Star Ledger, LATIN VISTAS-Abode Section, Nov. 2008 www.nj.com

Your music is very important for my mind, my spirit, my body…my life..

-Gustavo Adolfo Bustamente Mesa, Especiales Festivos, Sinigual FM Stereo 93.3, Catholic University of the Orient, Columbia, December 2008

Into The World: A Musical Offering” is a very smooth, sounding CD. It’s great arrangements and great production work is what really makes this CD one to be paid attention to.The instrumentation is fantastic. ..everything blends in very nicely. This is a great sounding band…and all of the solo’s throughout …sound great…Everything on this CD is a pleasure to listen to. Andrea…you especially, as always, sound breathtaking. …Nice work!!!

-Johnny “Speedy” Gonzalez, INTERNATIONAL Latin DJs Unlimited, Nov. 2008

“Into the World: A Musical Offering”(available through Shaneye Records) is the fourth album from Andrea Brachfeld, a talented flautist and American composer-arranger with what can be said as a more than notable depth to her artistic background. Playing the flute from the age of ten, she has been breathing jazz since she took her first musical steps and, among her teachers, we can count numerous important maestros such as Jimmy Heath, Hubert Laws and George Coleman. Her debut came at 16 years of age and very quickly she was attracted to the Latin Jazz available on the New York scene. Slowly, slowly she probed into other sonorous expressions of which receive a significant influence from her that often they seem to peep out between her original flautist ways, full of rhythm, swing and phrasing which is just dripping of melodies. A vast journey that is summarised superbly in this album, it moves through fusion in ¾ or 6/8 and cha cha cha (listen to the intro of the congas in Mambo Yo: eccellente!), bossa nova and danzón/swing (track 4- Danzón for Richard, dedicated to the late Cuban flautist Egües from Orquesta Aragón), samba/afro-Cuban and jazz-waltz, slow blues and canto Yoruba. A total of twelve tracks here, with a good nine compositions that have the Brachfeld stamp on them, recorded by some extraordinary musicians, from which we can cite in particular Bob Quaranta (pianist of Mongo Santamaria), the trumpeter Brian Lynch and the percussionist Diego López (born in Milan!). However, through all of these someone stands out – the band leader, obviously the majestic conguero Wilson “Chembo” Corniel. A descendant of Porto Rican parents, born in Manhattan, greatly skilled between the batà and the afro Cuban rhythms, which are diluted very well in this disc, and which closes with the “tremendous” Descarga del Mundo. A great listen.

Flutist Andrea Brachfeld has released a new disc and it cooks, from the opener “Q” to the closer “Descarga Del Mondo” about an hour later, twelve intense tracks. Listeners are treated to a musical delight; Into the World: A Musical Offering features a Latin jazz feast of excitement. The group that Ms. Brachfeld has assembled are all top rated musicians, guest artists Mike Longo, Paul West and Brian Lynch, although utilized minimally, are outstanding. Percussionist Chembo Corniel unleashes a free wheeling fury of rhythms and beats that push’s every song to the limit. Veteran drummer Kim Plainfield and bassist Andy Eulau keep up the pace with a driving force that blends, energizes and motivates. The flute is the main focus, the support, accompaniment and synergy that comes into play is outstanding.

There are many wonderful moments of piano and flute, percussion and flute, vocals and flute or individual band members stepping out and shinning brightly with their own features, flute-less. The flute playing of Ms. Brachfeld is fluid, lyrical, dynamic, melodic and full of entertaining tricks. On her composition, “Mambo Yo” a rapid Cha-Cha-cha, all of the above adjectives fit quite nicely. The flute sounds range from the pretty instrument one expects to a down and dirty, racing wind instrument that gets raspy, yells, screams, burns through ascending and descending runs, trills and thrills, grunts and groans. A flute solo of beauty and distinction.

The album is primarily Latin fire, some songs take a laid back tone, the Brachfeld composition “Danzon For Richard” is a slower number that has less to do with Danzon and more to do with swing. The piano and bass are the motivators, Robert Quaranta and Andy Eulau along with Diego Lopez on drums shift in and out of jazz mode. Wonderful piano playing is the high-light on this tune. A melancholy song, also a Brachfeld composition, “Passing Friends” the introduction takes the form of a Yoruban chant. The song breaks out into a moderate jazz waltz. Piano and flute play off each other with a beautiful warmth and spirit that comes through powerfully. The song ends with a Hebrew vocal chant, a touching tribute to Latin Jazz greats recently departed.

“Karawak Dreams” a Michel Alibo composition, features flowing melodic flute playing on a delightful melody. The dynamic builds to a serious study in powerful drumming authority. Kim Plainfield drums up a storm in a jazz fusion style that takes a syncopated ride into the stratosphere.

The jazz sensibilities are at a heightened level for the ballad “Song For Jenny” with a warm alto tone Ms. Brachfeld sings soulfully through her flute and paints a portrait of Jenny. The piano musings of Mike Longo add colour, dashes of spirit and moments of glory. Bassist Paul West is solid in laying down a grand sound, filling in the shadows with a glow of sustain, an intonation of sincerity.

The finale for Into The World: A Musical Offering, and the ninth composition by Andrea Brachfeld, “Descarga del Mondo” caps off the project in party mode, a grand fiesta. The song has an Afro Cuban pulse that flows, undulates and burns with passion. A joyful vocal serenade, care of Claudette Sierra and Flor Urrutia introduces the vibe. Singing with an easy going natural feel, the vocalists make way for Brian Lynch’s trumpet. The trumpet glides into the song and takes an exciting muted solo through thirty two bars of Latin fantasy, an excellent musical offering.

-Paul J. Youngman, KJA Advocate for VINILEMANIA.NET

Here’s a nice project of modern Latin jazz and stuff, by one of the premier flutists in Latin jazz. She’s not fooling, here, either, working her way through some difficult changes on her first tune, “Q.” She’s backed by a strong group, included Robert Quaranta, Elio Villafranca and Mike Longo on pianos, Andy Eulau and Paul West on basses, and Kim Plainfield and Diego Lopez on drums — Chembo Corniel’s on percussion, and the trumpeter Brian Lynch appears on one tune. The music’s modern and yet pleasant at the same time, and Brachfeld takes her band through some bossa nova and other rhythms. It’s perfectly radio ready Latin jazz, but it’s smart too, something that will entertain musicians as well. Highly Recommended.

-Peter Watrous, descarga.com, June 2008

Once more, Andrea Brachfeld has released a dazzling new production, “Into the World: A Musical Offering,” an effort that showcases her brilliant versatility. Whether it be jazz – Latin or mainstream – or Salsa and Yoruban chants, she sparkles and swings!

Vicki Sola, Director and Producer of “Que Viva La Musica.” WFDU, Latin Beat columnist, June 2008

Thousands the world over play the flute, and just a few play it well. Andrea Brachfeld is one of those…The last tune, a fiery descarga is a salute to the creator of the mambo, Israel Cachao Lopez.

Max Salazar, Latin Beat columnist, June 2008

You’ve got a winner!!!

Joe Conzo, Musicologist, June 2008

Andrea’s talent on the flute is smooth not to mention exciting.

Leon Reyes, KVMR Radio, June 2008

Got it, loved it, played it and I will play it again, and again and again…

Saúl Zavarce, Presenter & Producer of “Fiesta Jazz”, 106.7 PBS FM Melbourne, Australia, June 2008

You’re a world class musician whose music gets better as you grow. Your artistry is world class.

David Wasserman, Latin Cool Records, July 2008

An experienced veteran and hidden gem within New York’s active Latin Jazz scene, flautist Andrea Brachfeld delivers a strong set of Afro-Cuban and Brazilian jazz on Into the World-A Musical Offering, showing both an informed adherence to tradition and an experimental side… Brachfeld reveals the rich artistic background that has long inspired New York listeners on Into the World-A Musical Offering. Brachfeld’s experience in the Latin music world fuels each track, maintaining a constant connection to traditional aesthetics. Her knowledge of Afro-Cuban and Brazilian genres becomes apparent through firm structures and traditional rhythmic phrases integrated into solos. At the same time, Brachfeld experiments with larger compositional ideas, inspired by her own creative foundation. ..She works with a skilled group of musicians that support her ideas, share her stylistic aesthetics, and add their creative artistry into the mix. Their professional performances bring her ideas to life and contribute a fine polish to the overall sound. The musicians and listeners on New York’s Latin music scene should feel fortunate to have Brachfeld as an active member of their community; after hearing Into the World-A Musical Offering, the rest of the world will feel lucky to get a good glimpse of New York’s hidden gem.

Chip Boaz, The Latin Jazz Corner, 7/24/08

The extraordinary flutist/composer/arranger/bandleader Andrea Brachfeld has been at the forefront of New York City’s Latin Jazz movement for some time now,after years of developing her own voice. The beautiful brunette and powerful flutist unleashes rousing highenergy solos and intriguing melody lines in this new production. Surrounded by good friends and excellent players such as pianists Robert Quaranta, Elio Villafranca, and Mike Longo, bassists Andy Eulau and Paul West, trap drummers Kim PLainfield and Diego López, and percussionist Wilson, “Chembo “ Corniel, Brachfeld showcases a dozen scores, including nine originals. The selections range from the North American jazz-fusion sounds of Q and Karawak Dreams, to the bright and colorful rhythms of the Caribbean islands documented unconditionally on the selections Mambo Yo, Cha Cha Blue, and Descarga del Mundo. The exotic beaches of Brazil (where the rhythms of samba and bossa are a way of life) served as inspiration for the compositions Voces Da Rua and Desperado. Beautiful vocal chants performed by Jesse Asher, Claudette Sierra and Flor Urritia- in alliance with Brachfeld (on Kalimba and flute) and Chembo Corniel ( on batá)-bring the serenity of a waltz to an African folk song in the selection Passing Friends. Other invited musicians include Bill O’ Connell (string arrangements) on the selection Danzón for Richard. penned by Brachfeld in honor of one of her mentors (Cuban flutist Richard Egües, who passed away in 2006) and trumpeter Brain Lynch, featured on the track Descarga del Mundo.

Rudy Mangual, Publisher, Editor-in-Chief, Latin Beat Magazine, July 2008

…it’s a great CD. I’ve been listening to it a lot — I try to listen to every CD all the way through at least once. Yours has stayed on the kitchen boom box for at least a couple of weeks…

Elzy Kolb, writer, Hothouse Magazine July 2008

Among the noteworthy aspects of Into the World: A Musical Offering , this newest recording by flutist Andrea Brachfeld is the consistently stellar level of performance and musicianship from the first note until the final moments of the album. Needless to say, this is no surprise…Brachfeld demonstrates commanding technique…She knows exactly what to use when and where- the mark of a sensitive,mature artist and improviser…

Clive Griffin, Jazz Improv NY, August 2008

Andrea Brachfeld has been playing the flute since the age of 10. Since then she’s continued to grow as an artist and quite frankly I don’t know how she does it. Maybe it’s an otherworldly talent that goes back farther than before the rising of the pyramids. Maybe it’s a reincarnated thing that is way beyond my ability to put into words but one thing I know for sure is that her passion shines through with each and every one of her releases and if you don’t believe me you have to check out her latest, Into the World: A Musical Offering. The album is absolutely mesmerizing. I could say her best yet but then anything by Ms. Brachfeld is better than best and since she’s one of my favorite friends perhaps I’m just completely biased so I’ll say it again, check it out for yourself. Into the World: A Musical Offering is just Sabrosissimo and oh by the way, it’s playing right now filling my house with the sweetest sounds.

Maria von Dickersohn, former veteran New York DJ on CD101.9 and Sirius Satellite Radio

This CD is uniquely Latin Jazz with improvisational elements from Andrea Brachfeld’s scintillating flutes. Ms. Brachfeld has invited some of the renowned Latin Jazz artists to collaborate on her compositions, such as “Chembo” Corniel on congas and Elio Villafranca on piano. The music is impressive, fused with Latin dance rhythms, like Cha Cha and Son, and you won’t sit still for long, listening to this South of the Border ensemble.

Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower, August 2008, robertaonthearts.com