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| Read more about Marco Figueira This charming
collection of twelve songs, all sung in Portuguese and playey by
a superb team of Brazilian/Cuban musicians, gives reign to a variety
of moods and rhythms. Marco is a very experienced purveyor of the
vocal art, conjuring memories of Sergio Mendez and Antonio Carlos
Jobim. Claudio, Hendrik and Oscar are featured soloists on several
tracks and they each add their own magic to this wonderful music,
but it is the highly talented Marco who consistently entertains
throughout this disc. It may not be Jazz per se, but it is certainly
Jazz influenced. Don't miss the pleasure of listening to this music. "Marco Figueira's cool Bossa/Jazz voice makes
this CD pure Brazilliance." "Brazilian
guitarist/vocalist MARCO FIGUEIRA's latest CD, Brazilliance, is
a mixture of talent, influences, and education, both American and
Brazilian. Brazilliance features the original David Letterman Show
band's guitarist, Hiram Bullock, on Figueira's "Vem Ca."
Trumpeter Claudio Roditi appears on the Antonio Carlos Jobim standard
"Aquas de Marco." The interaction between his muted trumpet
and Figueira's understated vocals - plus the work by pianist Helio
Alves, bassist Sergio Brandao, and drummer/percussionist Paulo Braga
throughout - validate the CD's title." Warm and relaxed, Marco Figueira's singing here
is ideally suited for the smooth jazz mood. As the album title indicates,
the music deftly brings in and blends the gently rhythmic sounds
of Brazil. Some of the songs are Marco's own while others are drawn
from the song books of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Milton Nascimento and
other South American composers. Among Marco's accompanists are guitarist
Paulo André Tavares, pianist Helio Alves, bassist Sergio
Brandão, with guest trumpeter Claudio Roditi. "Whatever it is that makes a listener fall
in love with Brazilian music--the insouciance and elegance of an
unobtrusive, yet driving beat, the romance that drips like honey
from lips of a vocalist singing in Portuguese, or just the exotic
sounds and rhythms from a tropical land--the listener will likewise
fall in love with the music on the new CD by guitarist/singer/songwriter
Marco Figueira, Brazilliance."
Track list: (click on song titles to hear mp3 excerpts) 1. Vem Cá
[music & lyrics by Marco Figueira / Blue Toucan Music] 3:44 Bonus Track: Personnel: Paulo André Tavares: Acoustic and Electric
Guitars Arrangements by Paulo André Tavares
Liner Notes:
Singer, guitarist and songwriter Marco Figueira was born in Carangola, a small town in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. His love of music found its expression early on, when he began to sing and play guitar at the age of eight. A move to Rio de Janeiro in his teen years presented Marco with the first real opportunities for serious musical study. He studied classical guitar privately with Luis Antonio Perez, a well-known Rio teacher, and later enrolled at the prestigious Pro Arte Music Conservatory. There, he studied classical guitar with Léo Soares and popular guitar with Henrique Lissovsky. During this time Marco also studied voice privately with Heloisa Madeira, and sang in the Pro Arte choir, whose eclectic repertoire ranged from Beethoven to Villa Lobos to Jobim. Throughout this period, Marco continued to explore his passion for the music of Brazil’s most beloved popular artists, such as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Milton Nascimento and Joyce. Inspired by these musical heroes, Marco began composing his own songs. In 1988, Marco fulfilled a long-held dream of moving to New York City. It was here that he quickly established himself as both a solo performer and bandleader, playing for a devoted following in a wide variety of venues. As it has for so many musicians over the years, New York afforded Marco the chance to study and play with some of the top performers in Brazilian and American jazz. He studied guitar with Paulo André Tavares, Romero Lubambo and Paul Meyers, and voice with Datevik Hovanesian. Brazilliance, Marco’s first recording for Blue Toucan Music, is the result of that serendipitous meeting of musical minds. On it, we are treated to Marco’s mellow yet swinging vocals, backed by the elegance of Paulo André’s guitar and a “dream team” rhythm section of Hélio Alves (piano), Paulo Braga (drums), and Sergio Brandão (bass). Paulo André also provided the impeccable arrangements for all twelve of the tracks on this CD, four of which are brought to even greater heights by the sumptuous string arrangements of the renowned Eumir Deodato. As if these musical riches were not enough, the album is graced by the guest appearances of some of the finest soloists in Brazilian and American jazz: Claudio Roditi (trumpet), Hendrik Meurkens (harmonica) and Hiram Bullock (guitar). The musical roster is further enhanced by the tasteful percussion work of Mauro Refosco, and the sleek backing vocals of Kerry Linder and Luiz Simas.
The CD includes five sparkling originals by Marco as well as works by some of the greatest composers of bossa nova and MPB: Tom Jobim, João Bosco, Milton Nascimento, Roberto Menescal, Lenine and Rosa Passos. In addition to the familiar samba and bossa nova, the album’s varied repertoire covers quite a bit of rhythmic ground, including the northeastern Brazilian afoxé and baião, as well as a track that mixes several of the musical styles indigenous to Brazil’s South American neighbors. Whether singing a wistful ballad or a lively samba, Marco’s smooth voice and effortless charm turn each song into a sensuous journey to the heart of Brazil, and his original tunes embody the joy and enchantment of that captivating country. Brazilliance is an auspicious debut for this talented singer/songwriter, and is sure to create new Marco Figueira fans wherever it is heard Susan Pereira |
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