Brazilian trumpeter Roditi is a brilliant instrumentalist, whether in a jazz or Brazilian vein. He’s also blessed with a generous spirit, giving his stablemates room to stretch out, while constructing beautiful, economic solos, [listen to him on “Are You Real”] without a hint of bravado. On his third release for Reservoir, he plays in the company of saxophonists Andres Boiarsky and Jimmy Greene [Greene making his recording debut here is clearly someone to watch], pianists Helio Alves and Gil Goldstein, guitarist Marty Ashby, and drummers Duduka da Fonseca and Chip White. Hendrik Meurkens and Jay Ashby also guest. The jazz standards include “Bye Bye Blackbird” and “So What,” also Golson’s “Are You Real,” with a great Jimmy Greene solo, and Hubbard’s “Bird Like.” There are three Jobim tunes, with Roditi’s vocals on “Desafinado” definitely not taking a back seat to Joao Gilberto. Roditi’s own “Reservoir Samba,” is a marriage of jazz with samba. Everyone sounds confident and relaxed on this expertly executed release.
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