The Brazilian Project

As a kid growing up in 1960s Mexico, Gabriel Espinosa favored The Beatles and boleros before becoming totally smitten with the bossa nova. The music of Antonio Carlos Jobim and João Gilberto, which had taken Brazil — and then the world — by storm became the wind to which he set his sails as he pursued his studies at Berklee and North Texas State. For The Brazilian Project, his eighth album as a leader, Espinosa showcases the music of his heart through 10 original compositions that are realized by his sterling nonet. An accomplished bassist, Espinosa doesn't play on the album, but rather leaves the instrument in the capable hands of Hugo Maciel. His music further benefits from the arrangements of trombonist Rafael Rocha and flugelhornist Brunos Santos, both of whom play on the recording. Felipe Silveira's crystalline piano opens "Mi Jarana" on a moody note, with the horns swooping in and adding to the pensive yet anticipatory feel. The music brightens considerably with sunny brass and rhythmic verve provided by bassist Maciel and drummer Renato Rocha — after all, the song's title indicates a party in the offing. While certainly joyful, it's a quiet exuberance expressed in Rafael Rocha's arrangement, which leaves room for lovely solos by Santos' mellow flugel, Silveira's piano and Josue Lopez's tenor saxophone. The palette is additionally layered by Rafael Rocha's trombone and Daniel Freire's baritone saxophone, lending even more depth and color to the performance. Espinosa, who resides in Iowa, recorded the album in Rio de Janeiro. He reached further abroad by recruiting the Tallinn Studio Orchestra, which recorded its contributions to the aptly titled "Paz" in Estonia under the direction of Maestro Kleber Augustinho da Silva.