Carnaval- The Songs Were So Beautiful
AAM, 2025
9/10
Listen to Carnaval- The Songs Were So Beautiful
The prolific pianist and composer Antonio Adolfo turns in a jazz fueled take on the music of Carnaval, and he’s got an excellent cast along for the 9 tracks.
“É Com Esse Que En Vou” opens with the playful keys and Rafael Barata’s lively drums adding much to the rich climate, and “Vassourinhas” follows with Jorge Helder’s frisky bass and Idriss Boudria’s animated sax making for an infectious energy.
Landing in the middle, “Mal Me Quer” welcomes Jesse Sadoc’s well timed horn amid the breezy keys, while “As Pastorinhas” spotlights Marcelo Martin’s cozy sax prowess alongside a charming intimacy.
“A Lua É Dos Namorados” and “Agora É Cinza” exit the listen. The former is a meticulous album highlight that allows for the dreamy flute to shine thanks to Martin, and the latter enlists Andre Siqueira’s colorful percussion that suits Rafael Rocha’s soulful trombone.
The Carnaval festival embraces plenty of Brazilian styles of music, and Adolfo’s jazz influenced versions breathes new life into songs he grew up loving, and that we do, too, now.
Travels well with: Antonio Adolfo- Love Cole Porter; Antonio Adolfo- Bossa 65