"...Flor de Pedra positively oozes sophistication, sass and saudade." - Tony Hillier, Rhythm magazine, Nov-Dec '15
Panorama Brasil draws on the diverse musical landscape of Brazil: music with influences from the arid interior, the Amazonian basin, and the streets of Rio and Salvador. Panorama Brasil is the latest project from drummer/composer Alastair Kerr, a long-time student of Brazilian music, recognised as one of Australia's best exponents of Brazilian percussion. Kerr is known for his work with groups such as The Doug de Vries Trio, and Sexteto Zona Sul, and is leads this group focusing on Brazilian music and new compositions. Featuring Asha Henfry (flute), Alistair Parsons (trombone), Doug de Vries (guitar), Matt Boden (piano), and Jorge Albuquerque (bass).
Flor de Pedra is Panorama Brasil's second album, and features two wonderful singers - Diana Clark and Jacqueline Gawler. Clark and Gawler are both recognised for their beautiful interpretations of Brazilian songs, in Portuguese and English. The album also features internationally acclaimed guitarist Doug de Vries. One of Australia's leading jazz guitarists, de Vries has performed and recorded with some of Brazil's leading musicians, including Yamandu Costa, Mauricio Carrilho, and Hermeto Pascoal.
Since 2013, Panorama Brasil have also been presenting Stone Flower: A Jobim Tribute, performing a wide range of music from the legendary Brazilian composer. This project has featured a number of special guests (including Jacqueline Gawler and Diana Clark). In 2015, Panorama Brasil appeared at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival performing Jobim, alongside legendary Australian jazz singer Vince Jones, and Brazilian chanteuse Alda Rezende. Kerr and de Vries were joint-musical directors for Jobim. A number of Jobim compositions appear on Flor de Pedra, including Corcovado, Inútil Paisagem and Stone Flower.
Flore de Pedra also features some energetic originals from Kerr. There's a little maxixe, Barra Funda (dedicated to leading pandeirista Roberta Valente), an energetic frevo, Kangaroos in Lapa and some Candomblé inspired works.
Panorama Brasil released their debut album, The Archer and the Dancer, in 2013, featuring music from the suite of the same name. Composed by Alastair Kerr for Panorama Brasil, it brings the aesthetic of Brazilian rhythms - exciting, multi-layered and diverse - to contemporary Australian jazz. The suite is both Brazilian and Australian, building on the countries' shared backdrop of transculturation, becoming something that is new in itself - mischievous and improvised, rhythmic and beautiful. The Archer and the Dancer had its premiere at the Melbourne Recital Centre in June 2013 as part of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival. The album was nominated for a 2015 Australian Jazz Bell Award.
"The backbone of this show is Panorama Brasil, the amazing outfit put together by percussionist Alastair Kerr... a dream combo to deliver the sounds of Jobim." - Tracy Korsten, glamadelaide.com.au, June 13 2015.
"The band launched straight into the heady syncopations of the maracatu from Recife, transporting us immediately into the alternative reality of a wild, intensely colourful carnival, about as far removed from Adelaide in winter as you can get." - Stephen Whittington, The Advertiser, June 14, 2015
"While showcasing the vocal excellence of Diana Clark and Jacqueline Gawler... it's the instrumental tracks that take the breath away." - Tony Hillier, Rhythm magazine, Nov-Dec '15.
www.panoramadobrasil.com
www.facebook.com/panoramadobrasil
Read more...