Luiz Millan – Brazilian Match (Jazz Station Records, 2024)
Luiz Millan’s latest endeavor, Brazilian Match, represents a significant milestone in his career, signaling a deliberate shift towards a broader international audience. Guided by the seasoned producer Arnaldo DeSouteiro for Jazz Station Records (JSR) and tastefully arranged by Michel Freidenson, this album gathers a constellation of talents, including Grammy luminaries Randy Brecker, David Sanborn and Mark Egan, alongside other top vocalists and instrumentalists.
Drawing inspiration from Brazilian icons like Antônio Carlos Jobim and João Gilberto, Millan infuses the bossa nova genre with a contemporary flair, pushing its boundaries to new expressive heights. He stands as a prominent figure in Brazil’s contemporary music scene, renowned for his talent in crafting melodies and poignant lyrics.
With a background spanning classical piano and psychiatry, Millan’s artistic reach extends beyond his solo work to encompass film scores and collaborations with other artists. Recognizing his exceptional talent, producer DeSouteiro assembled a stellar ensemble to bring Millan’s compositions to life, blending jazz nuances with the soul of Brazilian music for a global audience.
Throughout the album, listeners are treated to stellar performances, from Brecker’s virtuosic performances along with samba rhythms on tracks like “Andar Descalço” and “Morungaba” to the captivating guitar work of John Tropea in the delightful opening track “Pacuiba” and the truly exquisite vocals by the New York Voices. Collaborations with acclaimed musicians such as Eddie Daniels and Mike Mainieri further enrich the album’s sonic tapestry.
The interplay between Millan’s lovely lyrics and the diverse vocal stylings of artists like Lisa Ono and Giana Viscardi imbues the music with universal themes deeply rooted in Brazilian culture.
In collaboration with DeSouteiro and Freidenson, Millan transcends musical boundaries, seamlessly mixing jazz, bossa nova, and pop influences to create a cohesive and cinematic experience. His music, refusing to be confined to a single genre, serves as a bridge between jazz and Brazilian traditions, appealing to a wide audience captivated by the timeless sounds of Jobim and Gilberto.
Musicians:
Vocals: Alice Soyer, Clémentine, Ellen Johnson, Giana Viscardi, Jorge Pinheiro, Lisa Ono, Luiz Millan and New York Voices (Darmon Meader, Kim Nazarian, Lauren Kinhan and Peter Eldridge)
Piano, Fender Rhodes, & keyboards: Michel Freidenson
Bass: Mark Egan, Josh Marcum, Sylvio Mazzucca Jr. and Thiago Espirito Santo
Drums: Edu Ribeiro, Danny Gottlieb, Igor Willcox and Maurício Zottarelli
Acoustic guitar: Camilo Carrara and Jorge Pinheiro
Guitar: John Tropea and Barry Finnerty
Vibraphone: Mike Mainieri
Alto sax: David Sanborn
flute, soprano, Alto & Baritone Sax: Teco Cardoso
Tenor Sax: Ada Rovatti
Clarinet: Eddie Daniels
Trumpet & flügelhorn: Randy Brecker and Chico Oliveira
Trombone: François de Lima
Harmonica: Humberto Clayber de Souza
Accordion: Toninho Ferragutti
Percussion: Chico Batera
Violin: Luiz Amato and Amanda Martins
Viola: Yohanna Alves Pereira
Cello: Adriana Holtz
Graphic Design: Lulude Balieiro
Cover & Booklet: Arnaldo DeSouteiro, Michel Freidenson, Luiz Millan and Lulude Balieiro
Cover & booklet paintings: Sérgio Pinheiro Lima (photo by Luiz Millan)
Buy Brazilian Match.
Author: Iliana Cabrera
