Sonny Daye and Perley Rousseau are as American as the proverbial apple pie. However, after hearing the infectious amalgam of jazz samba, bossa nova and swing that has become their unique musical signature, you will understand why their Brazilian fans say that they are "Brasileira de Coracao", and vast and varied American audiences enjoy the tropical flight which touches ground on familiar turf with standard ballads and groovin swing.
Perley Rousseau's vocals are a ravishing blend of richly textured tones and deliciously seasoned style. When riding the crest of a wave on samba, she is soaring and strong. Mischievous and daring when playing with new jazzy-funk-latin spins on Gershwin or Berlin standards. She owns the bossa nova, her rhythm and Portuguese as smooth as a Carioca. Always warm and deeply expressive, her commitment to lyrics is obvious when interpreting a ballad. Yet, she is never shy about diving head first into a sharp edged percussive scat. A powerful singer with a style rooted in traditional jazz, she swings with the very best influences of Sarah Vaughn, Carmen McRae and Ella, but with a flair totally her own.
Lush vocals not withstanding, the rhythm section is given lots of room to stretch out and groove. Pianist Sonny Daye's resplendent, fluid and oftimes percussive style is somewhat reminiscent of early Ramsey Lewis and Joe Sample. Drawing from his earlier musical career as a drummer, he spurs an exciting rhythmic interplay between the musicians. Sharing an affinity for Brazilian sound, the ever eclectic John Hilton Trio seems custommade for the duos second CD.
WorldBeat savvy John Hilton on guitar finds the rhythmic wave and tirelessly rides it. Showing forth improvisational dexterity on solos and his ability to stay in the pocket while comping. Electric bassist Tommy Ford lays down solid earth-pulse grooves, at times erupting into spontaneous fills of momentous synergy.
Completing this musical symbiosis is the unconventional two hi-hat wizardry of ambidextrous drummer Mike DeMarco. Having played everything from swing to caribbean to african to latin with The John Hilton Trio , he IS the the proverbial different drummer that one marches to the beat of.
Together this fascinating companionship of musicians reveals a new perspective on how jazz can work, blending older and newer worlds , making standards blossom when they meet up with a contemporary musical sensibility. This is BOSSAMBAJAZZ!
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