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This is the follow-up to Carlos Bica's widely acclaimed best-selling album "Azul" that earned delighted reviews everywhere and was voted Jazz Album of the Year in Portugal. The band played big European festivals (e.g. Lissabon, Berlin, Nuremberg) and did several radio productions. Bridging Portuguese roots with creative freedom à la Knitting Factory, Azul gives a new and airy definition of guitar trio aesthetics. This is what the critics wrote: "Azul has a great spectrum - not at least because the musicians represent very different musical cultures thanks to their origins. This results in an emotionally stamped searching for new sounds" (A Capital, Portugal). "Each member of the trio is exciting as a soloist, accompanist and musical painter. Fusion sounds are locked out. Nevertheless (or just because of that) the music sounds fresh, unused and - beautiful" (Zitty, Germany). "The musicians dare to leave open spaces - one of the most obvious strenghts of the trio. Southern lightness, highly energetic density, humorous playfulness, dramatical heaviness - all that comes together for a stimulating palette of blue shades" (Jazzthetik, Germany).
Bandleader Carlos Bica, known for his lyrical and singing tone on the bass, has been a long-time accompanist and recording partner of renowned singer Maria Joao. In his native Portugal, Bica worked with the Orquestra de Camara de Lisboa and fado singer Carlos do Carmo. He also played many festivals in Europe and Asia with such famous artists as Ray Anderson, Paolo Fresu, Aki Takase, Kenny Wheeler and many more. Adventurous German guitar player Frank Möbus studied in the USA and has to his credit sideman jobs with Keith Tippett, Marion Brown, John Tchicai, Seamus Blake and others. He teaches at the Nuremberg Conservatory and at the Hanns Eisler Hochschule, Berlin. Seattle-born Jim Black, a former student of Jeff Hamilton and Jeff Watts, came to New York in 1991 and soon became "the new drum star" in town. A frequent partner of Tim Berne, Dave Douglas, Django Bates and others, he is one of the most requested players on the N.Y. Downtown scene. Featuring the fascinating new singer Ana Brandao on two tracks, Azul's music on "Twist" is a feast of melodies and emotions - thoroughly inventive, surprising and bold. (Carlos Bica can also be heard on: Maria Joao - Sol (ENJ-7001 2).)
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Some other recordings by
Carlos Bica & Azul:
(Full list)
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