Song for Maura

On 2013’s *Song for Maura*, the masterful Cuban saxophonist and clarinetist Paquito D’Rivera and the Brazilian outfit Trio Corrente team up to create music that\'s both breezy and precise. Based in Sao Paulo, Trio Corrente features pianist Fabio Torres, bassist Paulo Paulelli, and drummer Edu Ribeiro. The album opens with Severino Araujo’s “Chorinho Pra Voce,” a track with classical-like piano lines and Brazilian sounds that come together nicely. D’Rivera turns in a sharp alto sax performance on Johnny Alf’s “Ceu e Mar,” which also features a drum solo. The title cut honors Rivera’s mother; it’s elegant, melancholy, and mysterious. On the Torres-penned “Paquito,” D’Rivera states the piquant melody with great aplomb, while “1 X 0” (by legendary composer Pixinguinha) finds the band operating at lightning speed. The foursome turns to the more modern sounds of Baden Powell on “Tem Do,” where Ribeiro tickles the track with his inventive drumming. A fired-up version of Claudio Roditi’s “Recife Blues” brims with rock n’ roll energy. D’Rivera sits out the closer, Torres’ “Saidera.” Every member of the trio shines on the cut.

The pioneering Cuban clarinetist/saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera has always loved Brazilian culture and music. Since his arrival in the United States, he has maintained relationships with Brazilian musicians of many styles. On his new recording Song for Maura, D’Rivera presents a loving tribute to his mother with the assistance of a tremendous ensemble of Sao Paulo based musicians, Trio Corrente, featuring pianist Fabio Torres, bassist Paulo Paulelli and drummer Edu Ribeiro.