What an album! Recommended by very good friend. Intimate, soulful and with a selection of songs to die for!
Jambossa is the newest release by Stevan Pasero (2009) and is performed by the Stevan Pasero Trio featuring John Anttila on drums, bassists Paul Eastburn, Sascha Jacobsen and Perry Thoorsell, and includes guest percussionist Rene Escovedo. Jambossa is a fusion of jazz, bossa nova, rhumba, flamenco, tango and classical styles and is truly one of a kind. The sound for this recording came from Stevan jamming and gigging over the years with some his closest friends: Christopher Bock, Richard Patterson, John Anttila, Enrique Ruiz de Luzuriaga, Freddy Clarke and Ray Bock, and after years of recording and performing Latin, jazz, Spanish, rock and classical music. The track selection highlights memorable jazz and pop standards yet with a twist that has not been heard before due to his virtuoso finger style. You definitely owe it to yourself to listen and purchase this one-of-a-kind CD because, well, there is no CD in the marketplace quite like this one, especially if you like acoustic guitar. According to Stevan Pasero: I have been looking forward to arranging songs in a way that combines several of my favorite music genres (jazz, Brazilian, rhumba, pop) while utilizing specific finger style techniques (classical, flamenco, tango). It is called mashing, or at least that is what I call it. It was really fun in the studio to mash right hand techniques that I have studied through the years (rasqueado, apoyando, libre, arpeggio).
The guys on this CD – John, Paul, Sascha, Perry and Rene – are really great! On this recording, Mr. Pasero chose to arrange songs from a variety of genres: bossa nova (Black Orpheus, How Insensitive, Dindi); jazz standards (Georgia, Unforgettable, What a Wonderful World); tango/rhumba (Besame Mucho, Boulevard of Broken Dreams); classical (Carmen, Gymnopedie); and pop (Moondance, Stairway to Heaven). Drummer John Anttila has teamed with Stevan over the years and provides a spicy, rhythmic charismatic drum style ranging from lush brush work to cadenced, poly-rhythmic rhumba beats that will surely get your foot tapping. John brings years of experience to the trio and marries with the guitar nicely. There are 3 bass players on this CD, each providing a rich baritone backdrop for the arrangements. Paul Eastburns upright work is featured on six songs and his solo intro on Moondance and Black Orpheus really stand out; Sascha Jacobsens bow work is riveting, passionate and provides an exotic tango kick to the mix; and Perry Thoorsell contributes swinging walking lines to the set. The trio is joined by guest artist, percussionist Rene Escovedo, who delivers mesmeric, pulsating conga grooves weaving effortlessly with Paseros guitar and Anttilas drums. This CD showcases the best of both worlds for guitar lovers and fans of Stevan Pasero: a memorable selection of songs framed by exhilarating, flamboyant guitar performances and unforgettable trio arrangements. You can play this CD when entertaining friends, driving in your car, under your headphones, or when you want to get a good dose of brilliant guitar playing. ARTIST NOTES: Stevan Pasero is known worldwide as one of the most influential and versatile guitarists/composers of the past decade. Guitar aficionados love him, fans around the world are loyal to his music, critics praise his musicianship, while his recordings have sold millions. Mr. Pasero is featured on numerous recordings, has transcribed over 30 major symphonic works, produced more than 250 studio recordings and has composed well over 1000 pieces for solo and ensemble. OTHER BEST-SELLING CDS BY STEVAN PASERO: Songs for the Wild, ZBRA, Guitar Heartsongs, Guitar Masterpieces, Seasons, Classical Bouquet, Ballets Operas & Masterworks, Nutcracker Suite for Guitar, Christmas Classics for Guitar, An Acoustic Christmas, Healing Massage, A New World Christmas.