If you and your significant other are looking to step out for a night of Cool Jazz in the heart of NYC…that is, by way of Brazil…well then look no further….You obviously need to check out Jazz Quintet, Bossa d’ Novo. These guys have brought in all the rhythm and sophistication of the Brazilian culture and style of music as we know it, with an added dash of their own unique, special flavor to it. What separates this group from most others in the metro area is in fact, that of their sound- which is the result of jazz, funk, pop, and samba all rolled into one significant fusion. Formed in 2009, Bossa d’ Novo consists of Ernest Barteldes (Bass), David Russell (Trombone), Mike Johnson (Sax), Joseph Capelonga (Guitar), and Ric Murray (Drums). These extremely talented musicians have not only mastered their sound, but definitely know how to captivate an audience with it. I like to believe that music invokes not only emotion, but also imagination- in the sense that you can transcend time and place in your mind just by closing your eyes and simply listening. With Bossa d’ Nova, you instantly get whisked off to a place very much unlike the noisy, crowded streets of NYC- but instead the cool, relaxing islands of Brazil, where the water is always perfectly blue, and the vibe is always peaceful. If you’re from Brazil, listening to these guys will definitely make you homesick; if you’re not from Brazil, trust me, you want to go- just in order to be able to hear music like this on a regular basis (and well, the beach doesn’t hurt, either).
I had the extreme pleasure of catching one of their shows in Greenwich Village last month. The magnitude of how complete their sound was really blew me away. Sitting near the front of the venue really gave me a chance to hear how well each instrument worked off of one another, contributing to the whole sound. There was a good mixture of mid-tempo and slow songs, sung in both English and Portuguese that really kept the audience enthused and entertained. What is really interesting is that you don’t necessarily have to be primarily a jazz fan or samba fan in order to like this group. Because of their diverse influences and backgrounds, their sound really has a little bit of something for everyone- making them all that much more enjoyable to listen to. I got the chance to find out more about that group from Trombonist and Co-Founder, David Russell, and here’s what he had to say:
Tanya: Who are some of your influences?
David: The band influences are mostly Jazz, i.e.: Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, Horace Silver, Carlos Jobim et al and for me personally, JJ Johnson & Miles Davis
Tanya: How long have you been playing/performing? How did you get started?
David: The band started about 3 years ago through Ernest Barteldes (Bassist) and my friendship. As for me, I have been playing trombone for over 30 years and singing for about 15 years. My Dad was a semi-pro Jazz guitarist and I have been around Jazz my entire life.
Tanya: How would you describe your sound?
David: Bossa d’Novo is a very cool straight ahead Bossa Nova Jazz ensemble.
Tanya: How do you feel about the current state of the music industry?
David: It really is a mess. Most gigs are not paying and you are left passing the cup aka begging. The Jazz listening public is great but the club owners and the people behind the business of music are worse than ever. We, as a band, do this because we love it. Any money that we make is cream on an already lovely desert.
Tanya: How do you go about writing or composing music?
David: There are two leaders in Bossa d’Novo, myself and Ernest Barteldes the bassist. He has written a number songs for the band. I think his process is mostly waiting for something to hit him. I am more of an arranger, so I take what is there and make is more interesting and give it a sizzle if I can.
Tanya: What do you find to be most rewarding about being a musician?
David: I think performance, when done well, is the most rewarding part. When are the practicing and rehearsing is over and the audience is digging what you are doing, that is killin’!
Tanya: Do you have anything else that you want our readers to know about you? A favorite quote? A particular anecdote regarding music?
David: Music is a conversation and when done well, everyone’s opinion is heard, appreciated and adds to the overall musical discussion and energy.
To learn more about this group, you can also go to:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bossa-de-Novo/114609048550895
For press and booking, contact David Russell- dfr031260@yahoo.com
Be sure to check out their next show:
o Gizzi’s NYC, Greenwich Village, Saturday May 12th, 7pm
http://www.facebook.com/events/344615882252981/
Let’s do our part by supporting Independent Music in NYC!!
Until Next Time…….