NOVA BOSSA NOVA: Jazz Influence

““(Nova Bossa Nova) ‘Jazz Influence’ is a carnival – a buoyant intoxicating session that invites repeated listening.” – Nancy Ann Lee, JazzTimes

“Arkadia Records makes a resounding splash with one of its very first releases, a buoyant and industrious blend of contemporary American jazz and hard-core Brazilian rhythms performed with dexterity and passion by Nova Bossa Nova…>” – Jack Bowers, Rapport

The Brazilian Jazz/Bossa Nova ensemble Nova Bossa Nova creates an exiting new sound, a potent mix of powerful American Jazz horns driven by the sexy and fiery rhythms of Brazil, on their Arkadia Records album Nova Bossa Nova: Jazz Influence. A unique blend of two musical traditions, the group is a sensual and sizzling septet with a new voice and a new vision. Led by percussionist Guilherme Franco and bass player Alberto Beserra, Nova Bossa Nova is an innovative ensemble whose breakthrough sound fuses a traditional Brazilian rhythm section with a commanding Bebop Jazz front line.

“…sense of nostalgia and sentiment, while retaining a fresh voice for its decidedly jazzy style…’Influence’ has it all.” – The Brazilian Music Review

Among the top level players recruited by Franco and Beserra to give voice to this unique musical blend are Claudio Roditi on trumpet, Bob Mintzer (of Yellowjackets fame) on tenor sax, Eddie Monteiro with his unique accordion/vocalese style, Joe Ford on alto saxophone and Achan Inoue on piano. The songs on “Nova Bossa Nova: Jazz Influence”, the group’s first album, trace their origins to a variety of different sources, including both classic Jazz standards and Brazilian Bossa Nova and Samba. They are an eclectic bunch, combining an inventive Be-Bop horn section with a thumping Brazilian rhythm section, creating a unique, exciting sound. They are, simply… Nova Bossa Nova.

“…a buoyant and industrious blend of contemporary American jazz and hard-core Brazilian rhythms performed with dexterity and passion.” – Jack Bowers, Rapport

Whether poetically caressing the beats of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, playing horn lines from Jazz clubs in New York and Tokyo, or simply putting their own spin on Jazz standards, the music on this Arkadia Records release “Nova Bossa Nova: Jazz Influence” takes listeners on a magical journey while putting a new twist on both the standard repertoires of Jazz and Brazilian music.

Nova Bossa Nova builds on the fusion of cool jazz and various Brazilian rhythms, which gained momentum in the U.S. in 1962 when Charlie Byrd and Stan Getz issued Jazz Samba. Capturing the bossa’s laid-back essence, Nova Bossa Nova sprinkles their inventions with hard-swinging modern tinges, with fine solo moments from Japanese pianist Achan Inoue and accordionist Eddie Monteiro (whose accompanying vocalese adds a unique flair to the session). Nine catchy and infectious tunes, mostly written by the co-leaders, are inspired by commonplace situations.

While everyone shines, the stars are the incomparable hard-bop front line featuring tenor saxist Bob Mintzer (of Yellowjackets fame), trumpeter Claudio Roditi (Brazilian native who has performed and recorded with numerous groups including Dizzy Gillespie’s United Nations Orchestra), alto/soprano saxophonist Joe Ford (veteran player with bands of McCoy Tyner and Jerry Gonzalez’s Fort Apache Band). With its distinctive 1990s edge and fine solo work, Jazz Influence is truly a carnival… a buoyant, intoxicating session that invites repeated listening.

Song Selection:

1. The Bird	Alberto Beserra	5:23
2. Jazz Influence	Carlos Lyra	5:57
3. Invitation (Convite)	Guilherme Franco	4:57
4. Three Places	Alberto Beserra	8:56
5. Children’s Song	Atsushi Inoue	5:24
6. Sky and Sea (Ceu e Mar)	Johnny Alf (Alfredo Jose da Silva)	5:16
7. New Hope	Alberto Beserra	5:52
8. Passaic Blues	Guilherme Franco/Alberto Beserra	2:45
9. Jaquitiba	Alberto Beserra	6:45

Guilherme Franco: Drums
Alberto Beserra: Bass
Eddie Monteiro: Accordion/vocals
Claudio Roditi: Trumpet
Bob Mintzer: Tenor sax
Joe Ford: Alto, soprano sax
Achan Inoue: Piano
Muzzy Napodano: Alto, tenor sax (6)
Lenny Argese: Guitar (6, 8, and 9)

Total Time: 52 minutes

About Nova Bossa Nova:

The founding members of the group, Guilherme Franco (drums) and Alberto Beserra (bass), are both natives of Brazil. They had to travel to Japan, however, in order to become acquainted with one another and with each other’s music. It was 1975. Franco was on tour as a member of the McCoy Tyner Group and Beserra, who was living in Japan (as he still does) caught his future friend perform in concert. Then it was Franco’s turn to watch Beserra play, at the club where he was a featured artist. By the end of the night, the two were jamming side-by-side, and making plans to form a band together. 20 years later they did just that.

Guilherme Franco was born November 25, 1946 in São Paulo, Brazil. He is a percussionist in the Jazz and World fusion music genres. Franco has recorded on the albums of many jazz performers such as McCoy Tyner, Lonnie Liston Smith, Don Pullen and Woody Shaw. He was a member of Keith Jarrett‘s “American Band” and Paul Winter‘s Paul Winter Consort. In 1981 Franco started a samba school in NYC and a power samba group called “Pe De Boi” (a Brazilian slang term for a good musician, literally meaning “foot of the bull”). Click here to see the Arkadia Records Pe de Boi:Power Samba Band album. As a result he began playing many gigs in the NYC underground scene of the 1980s with the likes of David Byrne and David Johansen among many others. Franco has also been employed by longtime friend, drummer and cinema executive Richard Baratta to work in the film industry in New York. Guilherme Franco currently resides in São Paulo, Brasil. He is said to practice music 14 hours a day

Claudio Roditi, a native of Brazil, is essentially a jazz trumpeter, and a very good one at that.

Eddie Monteiro, while not from Brazil, brings a lot of that country to his unique accordion/vocalese style.

Bob Mintzer, on the tenor sax, has gained renown as an orchestrator, the leader of his own big band, and as a member of the Yellowjackets.

Joe Ford, on the flute, the alto and the soprano sax played with Franco during the McCoy Tyner days.

Pianist Atsushi Inoue frequently collaborates with Beserra in Japan.