Before Les Sabler began recording “Jobim Tribute,”
which will be released April 8 on New Vista Records, the jazz
guitarist-vocalist walked a mile in the shoes of the iconic Brazilian composer
known for writing exquisitely poetic romantic standards that popularized bossa
nova. An inspired Sabler trekked to Brazil, visited the places Jobim frequented
and absorbed the native culture and sounds. He voraciously studied recordings
and read stacks of books about Jobim’s life. Sagely he knew that fostering
authenticity on a collection of twelve Jobim songs involved more than just
playing the right notes on his nylon string guitar or mastering the
pronunciation of the Portuguese lyrics. Sabler, who produced the album,
recognized that the most important ingredient was to capture the soulful
passion inherent in the author’s touching melodies and sensually exotic
rhythms.
The
timing of Sabler’s record correlates to two milestones: the 50th anniversary of
the classic “Getz/Gilberto” that spawned Jobim’s No. 1 hit “The Girl from
Ipanema,” which helped weave bossa nova permanently into the fabric of American
music; and the 20th anniversary of Jobim’s passing. When selecting material for
“Jobim Tribute,” which is comprised of seven vocal tunes and five
instrumentals, Sabler challenged himself by recording some of Jobim’s lesser
known gems (“Esquecendo Voce” and “Janelas Abertas”) as well as popular
favorites such as “Corcovado,” “Bonita” and “Fotografia.” The first single that
was just shipped to radio stations for airplay is Sabler’s rendition of “A
Felicidade,” a sweeping wave of joyous melody, nifty guitar fingerplay and an
ethereal vocal chorus.
Produced,
arranged and performed in acoustic jazz settings, Sabler was accompanied by
keyboardist Clay Perry (Julio Iglesias), acoustic bassist Byron House (Robert
Plant’s Band of Joy), Brazilian drummer-percussionist Celso Alberti (Flora
Purim, Stevie Winwood) and the late percussionist Joe Lala (CSNY, Bee Gees).
Allon Sams scripted string arrangements as did Grammy-nominated arranger Tom
Zink, who orchestrated a 4-piece string section that added emotional depth on
three selections.
Sabler
explained that “My first trip to Brazil guided me to a deeper understanding of
Jobim’s music from the places I visited followed by an immersion of his music,
videos and books. During my trip, I was able to learn a lot more about the
history of Brazilian music. I explored some of the places where Jobim used to
hangout, including the restaurant where Heloisa Pinhiro walked by, who was the
inspiration for ‘The Girl from Ipanema.’ I am passionate about this music and
made it a goal to master and record it. After working on this project for
several years, I am pleased to finally share it.”
“Jobim
Tribute” is Sabler’s seventh album. The Montreal native who studied music at
Canada’s Concordia University and at the University of Miami, has created a
catalogue of finely-crafted contemporary jazz recordings that summited sales
and airplay charts in the U.S. and Canada while garnering award nominations,
No. 1 most-played Canadian artist airplay honors and international acclaim.
Most often playing electric guitar on earlier works, “Jobim Tribute” is his
second consecutive record on which he exclusively plays nylon string acoustic
guitar following 2010’s “Crescent Shores.”
Earlier
this week, the Tampa, Florida-based sports fan performed the American and
Canadian National Anthems with Marshall Gillon on Opening Day for the Tampa Bay
Rays followed the next night by performing the anthems prior to the Tampa Bay
Lightning game. With the eyes of the world turning to Brazil for this year’s
FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, Sabler’s elegant “Jobim
Tribute” is a perfectly timed soundtrack. For more information, please visit
www.LesSabler.com.
Sabler’s
“Jobim Tribute” contains the following songs:
“A
Felicidade”
“Corcovado
(Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars)”
“Esquecendo
Voce”
“Bonita”
“Brigas
Niunca Mais/Discussao”
“Ligia”
“Fotografia”
“Se
Todos Fossem Iguais A Voce”
“Por
Causa De Voce”
“Triste”
“Janelas
Abertas”
“Chega
De Saudade”
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