ibeji features a number of legendary musicians: Rufus Reid & Nilson Matta on bass, Duduka Da Fonseca, Tim Horner, and Allman Brothers co-founder and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jaimoe on drums, Joel A. Martin on piano, and Eugene Friesen on cello.
The CD looks at Brazilian music and American jazz as twin children of Mother Africa separated at birth, raised in distant parts of the world, and now reunited, and showcases Paul's playing, composition and arranging. Paul Lieberman is an American sax/flautist who spent two years living and touring with Airto and Flora Purim in an otherwise all-Brazilian band, and then moved to Rio de Janeiro for four years, where he performed and recorded with many of Brazil's greatest singers and musicians. Read more on Paul on his website paullieberman.com.
ibeji means “twins" in Yoruba, and this concept album looks at Brazilian music and American Jazz as twin children of Mother Africa, separated at birth, sent off to grow up in distant parts of the world, and now reunited.
The approach was to use an American rhythm section to play Brazilian compositions in a Jazz style, and a Brazilian rhythm section to play American compositions in a Brazilian style. Additional original compositions recombine elements from both traditions in fresh ways.
Co-producer and co-arranger Joel A. Martin (who has done everything from performing with the NY Philharmonic to musical direction of the Cab Calloway Orchestra and the Boys Choir of Harlem) plays piano on the entire recording, and there are guest appearances from Jaimoe and Eugene Friesen.
This project was partially supported by a grant from the Northampton Arts Council, Inc. The result is fresh, interesting, and very listenable!
The CD looks at Brazilian music and American jazz as twin children of Mother Africa separated at birth, raised in distant parts of the world, and now reunited, and showcases Paul's playing, composition and arranging. Paul Lieberman is an American sax/flautist who spent two years living and touring with Airto and Flora Purim in an otherwise all-Brazilian band, and then moved to Rio de Janeiro for four years, where he performed and recorded with many of Brazil's greatest singers and musicians. Read more on Paul on his website paullieberman.com.
ibeji means “twins" in Yoruba, and this concept album looks at Brazilian music and American Jazz as twin children of Mother Africa, separated at birth, sent off to grow up in distant parts of the world, and now reunited.
The approach was to use an American rhythm section to play Brazilian compositions in a Jazz style, and a Brazilian rhythm section to play American compositions in a Brazilian style. Additional original compositions recombine elements from both traditions in fresh ways.
Co-producer and co-arranger Joel A. Martin (who has done everything from performing with the NY Philharmonic to musical direction of the Cab Calloway Orchestra and the Boys Choir of Harlem) plays piano on the entire recording, and there are guest appearances from Jaimoe and Eugene Friesen.
This project was partially supported by a grant from the Northampton Arts Council, Inc. The result is fresh, interesting, and very listenable!
