Phil Wilson's Panamerican All-Stars: Celebrates the Music of Antonio Carlos "Tom" Jobim (2007)

Dan McClenaghan

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A lover of sounds, and the way they fit together.

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Published: May 25, 2007

Phil Wilson's Panamerican All-Stars: Celebrates the Music of Antonio Carlos

Bossa nova music has a cool, light feeling, with delicate melodies drifting on gentle rhythms. It floated out of Brazil in the 1960s, spearheaded by Joao Gilberto, Vinicius de Moreas and, of course, Antonio Carlos "Tom" Jobim. The music was popularized in the United States in the 1960s via albums that teamed Jobim with saxophonist Stan Getz and guitarist Charlie Byrd.

Phil Wilson's Pan American All Stars Celebrate the Music of Antonio Carlos "Tom" Jobim—which may compete for the longest CD title of the year—brings us traditional bossa nova with something of a twist: Wilson's trombone.

The Brazilian sound normally makes you think of lilting guitars and airy flutes, and simple, insistent rhythms. That's in evidence here, with the big brass trombone beefing the sound up and enhancing the beauty. Joining Wilson in the front line—and adding a rich, cool beauty to the harmonies—is Matt Marvuglio on bass flute, the C flute's more robust-sounding brother.

The set represents a Jobim's greatest hits workout—"Desfinado," "Corcovado (Slightly Out of Tune)," "Triste," "Samba de Uma Nota So," "Chega de Saudade" and from the Wave (A&M Records, '67) CD, "Look to the Sky."

Wilson has taught at Boston's Berklee College of Music since 1967, and has led student bands there that have turned out dozens of high profile musicians, including John Scofield, Roy Hargrove, Terri Lynne Carrington, Dino Govoni, John La Barbera and Tiger Okoshi, to name just a few. With his Pan American All-Stars he stays true to the tradition of Antonio Carlos Jobim's music while making it very much his own.

Track Listing: Desafinado; Corcovado; Triste; Amor em Paz; Samba de Uma Nota So; Insensatez; Chega de Saudade; O Grande Amor; Look Into the Sky; Vou Te Cantar.

Personnel: Phil Wilson: trombone, arranger; Matt Marvuglio: bass flute; Larry Baione: guitar; Dario Eskenazi: piano; Oscar Stagnaro: electric bass guitar, arranger; Mark Walker: drums, percussion.

Record Label: Capri Records
Style: Brazilian