The third of tenor-saxophonist
Joe Henderson
's
tribute CDs
on
Verve
was originally supposed to be a collaboration with the great
bossa nova
composer
Antonio Carlos Jobim
but
Jobim
's unexpected death turned this project into a memorial.
Henderson
performs a dozen of the composer's works with one of two separate groups: a Brazilian quartet starring pianist
Eliane Elias
and a
jazz
trio with pianist
Herbie Hancock
, bassist
Christian McBride
and drummer
Jack DeJohnette
. In general,
avoids
's best-known songs in favor of some of his more obscure (but equally rewarding) melodies and in some cases (such as a very straight-ahead
"No More Blues"
) the treatments are surprising. Highlights of this very accessible yet unpredictable CD include
"Felicidade,"
"Triste,"
"Zingaro"
and a duet with guitarist
Oscar Castro-Neves
"Once I Loved,"
although all of the performances are quite enjoyable. Highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow