Double Rainbow: The Music Of Antonio Carlos Jobim

Performer: Joe Henderson
Artist: Oscar Castro-Neves; Eliane Elias; Jack DeJohnette; Herbie Hancock; Christian McBride
Engineer: Joel Moss
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Joe Henderson (tenor saxophone); Herbie Hancock, Elaine Elias (piano); Oscar Castro-Neves (guitar, percussion); Christian McBride, Nico Assumpcao (bass); Paulo Braga (drums, percussion); Jack DeJohnette (drums). Producers: Oscar Castro-Neves, Richard Seidel. Recorded at Clinton Recording Studios, New York on November 5 & 6, 1994 and Oceanway Recording, Los Angeles, California on September 19 & 20, 1994. Includes liner notes by Joe Henderson, Richard Seidel and Oscar Castro-Neves. DOUBLE RAINBOW: THE MUSIC OF ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM was nominated for a 1996 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Individual Or Group. Personnel: Joe Henderson (tenor saxophone); Oscar Castro-Neves (guitar, percussion); Eliane Elias, Herbie Hancock (piano); Jack DeJohnette, Paulinho Braga (drums). Recording information: Clinton Recording Studios, New York, NY (09/19/1994-11/06/1994); Oceanway Recording, Los Angeles, CA (09/19/1994-11/06/1994); Signet Sound, Los Angeles, CA (09/19/1994-11/06/1994). The third of tenor-saxophonist Joe Henderson's tribute CDs on Verve was originally supposed to be a collaboration with the great bossa nova composer Antonio Carlos Jobim but Jobim's unexpected death turned this project into a memorial. Henderson performs a dozen of the composer's works with one of two separate groups: a Brazilian quartet starring pianist Eliane Elias and a jazz trio with pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Christian McBride and drummer Jack DeJohnette. In general, Henderson avoids Jobim's best-known songs in favor of some of his more obscure (but equally rewarding) melodies and in some cases (such as a very straight-ahead "No More Blues") the treatments are surprising. Highlights of this very accessible yet unpredictable CD include "Felicidade," "Triste," "Zingaro" and a duet with guitarist Oscar Castro-Neves on "Once I Loved," although all of the performances are quite enjoyable. Highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow Joe Henderson has been one of the great tenor stylists since he burst on the scene in the 1960s as a sideman and leader on several historic Blue Note recordings. Henderson found a space on the horn to accomodate both the innovations of John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins, plus a wide range of personal timbral devices--expressive manipulations of the embouchure that allowed him to produce breathy, flute-like ornaments and a unique vocal cry. Henderson's work with producer Richard Seidel has emphasized the tenor saxophonist's gifts as an interpreter of other people's music. His critically acclaimed recordings of music associated with Billy Strayhorn (LUSH LIFE) and Miles Davis (SO FAR, SO NEAR) have been jazz best-sellers. Now with DOUBLE RAINBOW, Henderson pays tribute to the rich designs of the late Antonio Carlos Jobim in the form of two suites: one with a Brazilian styled band (evoking shades of the Getz/Gilberto collaborations), the other with an all-star American aggregation including bassist Christian McBride, pianist Herbie Hancock and drummer Jack DeJohnette. From Henderson's first notes over the bouncy groove of "Felicidade," his lyrical gifts are well-served by pianist Elaine Elias and guitarist Oscar Castro-Neves. And on the lovely melodies of "Dreamer" and "Once I Loved" Henderson patiently shapes his phrases with a real regard for the lyrics. The powerhouse American rhythm section helps Henderson to stretch out rhythmically and harmonically. Hancock is in remarkable form, even by his own lofty standards, helping Henderson to reorchestrate each Jobim standard without losing the shape of the tune. "Happy Madness" features them in an extraordinary duet, while "Modinha" opens with a solo sax feature of epic scope and control, before McBride comes strolling through with his indomitable beat. DOUBLE RAINBOW is choice from start to finish.

Q (6/95, p.138) - 3 Stars - Good - "...Not 100 per cent perfect, but the better two thirds are fantastic." Down Beat (5/95, p.40) - 4 Stars - Very Good - "...Joe Henderson scales Mount Jobim....The album features groupings from duos to quintets and dodges most of the Jobim signature pieces that everybody knows..." JazzTimes (3/96, p.51) - Winner in the JazzTimes Readers Poll for Best New Release of 1995.

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