Dexter Payne Quartet + 1 - Pra Você

Dexter Payne

Since the bossa nova wave hit the music scene in the U.S.during the 1960s there has been a growing interest in Brazilian music traditions among non-Brazilians, some of this interest naturally generated inspiration in musicians to further explore the vast musical landscape of Brazil. Clarinetist Dexter Payne is an example of a musician who has seriously devoted his interest and skill to explore and incorporate Brazilian music in his own musical repertoire with success. According to his website, Dexter Payne went on a walk-about playing with bands and artists from Tijuana to Buenos Aires, during this odyssey he stayed in Brazil for ten months where he recorded with samba vocalist Beth Carvalho and met composer and percussionist Thiago de Mello with whom he collaborated and recorded four acclaimed CDs (- more info on Dexter Payne's CDs, here ). Back in the U.S. he founded his own quintet that has specialized in Brazilian instrumental music from samba and choro to baião and other traditions from the Northeast of Brazil. Earlier this year this ensemble released a CD titled Pra Você (- in English meaning 'for you') that is in focus here.

CD front: Pra Você, DEXOFON 1401

The shown CD was recorded in 2012 and Dexter Payne (clarinet) is accompanied by Bill Kopper (guitar and 7-string guitar), Dave Willey (accordion), Raoul Rossiter (drums, pandeiro) and Victor Mestas Pérez (piano), all very competent musicians with a deep understanding of various Brazilian instrumental music genres. There are nine tracks on the CD and the over-all impression of the performed music is an uplifting experience. The music clearly reflects the gafiera repertoire and atmosphere, the genuine Brazilian ball-room tradition of danceable instrumental music with roots in samba and choro - a well known example of this music style is the gafieira jazz project initiated by pianist Cliff Korman in collaboration with Brazilian clarinetist Paulo Mouro a.o., read more here.

Clarinetist Dexter Payne

Dexter Payne and his musicians pay tribute to one of the originators of the gafieira tradition on the CD, Severino Araújo, recording their version of Araújo's 'Chorinho pra você'. Zeca Freitas' 'Alma Brasileira' introduces the CD and the lighthearted atmosphere of the disc, and there are further two famous choros by Jacob do Bandolim, 'Doce de coco' and 'Assanhado', the last mentioned in a new arrangenment, 'Conversa de botequim' by samba composer Noel Rosa, three modern pieces: 'Sampa' by Caetano Veloso, 'Playground' by renowned guitarist Nelson Faria, 'Lembrei do Ceará' by composer, accordionist Marcelo Caldi and finally an example of the collaboration between Dexter Payne and Thiago de Mello, 'No Wolf at the Door'. - Below I'll insert some examples of the recorded music that has been uploaded on YouTube. The CD is available for purchase here, and you have the opportunity to listen to all tracks in streaming audio here 

Dexter Payne (cl), Victor Mestas Pérez (p), Bill Kopper (g), Dave Willey (acc)

As mentioned above, the CD takes off with Zeca Freitas' 'Alma Brasileira', here recorded live in a concert last year featuring guest performer Mitchell Long on electric guitar

The tune 'Playground' by Nelson Faria was recorded live in an intimate video-performance

Finally, from the same intimate session here is Dexter Payne Quartet + 1 performing Caeteno Veloso's 'Sampa'

The music presented here are great examples of the Brazilian influence on skilled musician like Dexter Payne and his quintet, and the CD is well worth lending your attention for listening and dancing celebrating the new year in a couple of days ahead.

A Happy New Year 2015 to all readers of the blog - and thanks for your support so far!

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Jo

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