It takes a certain rhythmic sensibility as well as deftness of musical touch to play Brazilian music especially for non-Brazilians. Saxophonist and flutist Tom Moon achieves both with the latest release, Who Saw You Then, Who Sees You Now, from his Philadelphia-based Ensemble Novo.
Moon approaches this collection of mostly Brazilian standards from the pen of legends like Edu Lobo and Chico Buarque with a strong lyrical focus on his flute work. His interplay with the band, which includes guitarist Ryan McNeely, vibraphonist Behn Gillece, bassist Mark Przybylowski, and percussionist Jim Hamilton, allows plenty of space for the individual players to shine. McNeely is especially brilliant on the vibes, but each musician finds his place in music that by definition requires space.
On “Estate,” a ballad by Bruno Martino and Bruno Brighetti, Moon finds the elusive sweet saxophone sound defined so eloquently by Stan Getz on his classic work with Antonio Carlos Jobim, the Brazilian founder of bossa nova.
Who Saw You Then, Who Sees You Now is the second release this year from Ensemble Novo. The first, Look To the Sky, features more classics, including the title cut, which is from the pen of Jobim and Milton Nascimento’s “Cravo e Canela.”
Together these two mini-albums put a playful spin on some of the world’s most welcoming music, Brazilian pop from the 1960s and 1970s. They are executed with a jazz touch and musical virtuosity by musicians who may not be household names, but deserve to be.
