Search - Scott Feiner :: Pandeiro Jazz

Pandeirista jazz-heads, our time has come!

James Thomas, Jr. | Shonto, AZ United States | 04/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Elvin JOnes is smiling y'all. Yeah, he's dead but wherever his spirit is, it's wearing a great big grin. Remember, it was Elvin who said "...it's all about the love," a love supreme in fact. Though gifted with an intimate knowledge of polyrhythms from the motherland, Elvin wasn't known as a Brazilian drummer. Yet, his influence ranges far and wide in the worlds of jazz, rock and world music. His sound was about the pulse and feel of the music while driving the people he accompanied to explore new dimensions within the music.



So, what would happen if Coltrane and Elvin hooked up with Joao Gilberto in 1959 after viewing "Black Orpheus" and got together for an unplugged set? Or, fast forward. What if the Bad Plus ran into Sergio Mendes hanging out late one night in a club by the aqueduct in Lapa? Boom! Enter Scott Feiner, a NYC jazz guitarist who became a hard core pandeirista living in Rio for the past five years studying with the masters, such as Jorginho do Pandeiro, Celsinho Silva and Marcos Suzano. Hearing a different sound in his head, Scott pursued the free, creative improvisation of bop and hard bop and combined this with his love of the pandeiro and "Pandeiro Jazz" was born.



The songs range from Stevie Wonder, Coltrane, Wayne Shorter and Horace Silver covers to soulful, engaging originals. True, at times some tunes tend towards jazz lite ("Giant Steps"), but his accompanists and friends guitarist Freddie Bryant and saxophonist Joel Frahm are experienced NYC jazz musicians who seem to relish in the opportunity to stretch out in this down tempo setting. Listen to what they're feeling. There are moments when Joel is playing free and straight ahead. For example, at the end of the Feiner original composition "Botofogo Blues," Joel and Scott engage in an exchange reminiscent of Coltrane being pushed further ahead by Elvin. It's simply magical. But I think my favorite tunes are the two covers by the "God Pop of Funky Hard Bop," Horace Silver. The band covers "Peace" (in 5/4) and "Song for My Father." Freddie rides the vibe home alone riffing out the final strains of "Peace." Scott's playing is never repetitious and is devoid of gimmicks or licks. His isn't a cliche sound and he possesses one of the purest slaps I've ever heard. Check the Wayne Shorter composition "United." There's freedom and fun in his playing similar to Sergio Krakowski.



The vibe of this cd is captured at the end of the first selection when we hear one of the musicians conclude the selection by laughing. One gets the impression there was a lot of laughter in the studio during this recording. Remember, it's a love supreme, y'all.



Recently I was rapping with a friend about examples of straight ahead/free jazz and BRazilian fusion. We both identified "Ritual Beating System" pretty quickly then slowed a bit as we scratched our heads trying to find other examples. There're some wickedly wonderful moments on Suzano's "Flash" ("Zona Norte" comes to mind), and Eli Goulart e Banda do Mato get nasty on "bicho do mato." A shout goes out to dj Dolores ("Contraditorio"), dj John Beltran ("Sun Gypsy"), and Claudio Vilella and Ricardo Pixoto ("Inverse Universe"), as well.



Although this cd probably isn't the definitive bossa/free jazz fusion cd I was looking for with my friend, it's satisfying on many levels and forges into new sonic terrain. Elvin would be proud."

Good jazz with an alternate to the trapset (Brazilian frame

Pink Noodle | Duncanville, TX USA | 04/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Really great stuff! Pandeiro with acoustic guitar, sax and bass (with a few guests). It's a nice ensemble; the leader does few pandeiro solos, he's not trying to knock your socks off like Airto but to make good jazz with an alternate to the trapset.



His webiste scottfeiner (dot) com has song samples and much more. You'll definitely want to buy it after you hear it."