Guitarist/vocalist
John Pizzarelli's 2017 effort,
Sinatra & Jobim at 50, is an urbanely delivered, Brazilian-inflected production inspired by the landmark 1967 album Francis Albert Sinatra & Antônio Carlos Jobim. A classic meeting between
Sinatra (the swinging crooner) and
Jobim (the poetic singer/songwriter), the album was an unexpected delight for fans. Similarly, although he's played many of these tunes throughout his career, it hasn't been since 2004's
João Gilberto tribute Bossa Nova that he's focused so completely on the distinctive, harmonically and rhythmically nuanced Brazilian tradition. As with
Sinatra and
Jobim's original album, here we get emotive renditions of both classic Brazilian songs and bossa nova-tinged standards. Also included are several newly penned songs that fit nicely into the overall concept. Primarily, we get
Pizzarelli on his own and backed by his adept ensemble featuring percussionist
Duduka da Fonseca, pianist
Helio Alves, bassist
Mike Karn, and longtime associate saxophonist
Harry Allen. Adding to the warm atmosphere are backing vocals from
Pizzarelli's wife, singer
Jessica Molaskey, and others. Together they settle into earthy, utterly intoxicating renditions of such classic
Jobim standards as "Agua de Beber" and "Dindi." Also helping to set this intimate mood is singer/pianist
Daniel Jobim, grandson of
Antonio Carlos Jobim, and a respected performer in his own right. Blessed with a dusky whisper of a voice,
Jobim is the perfect foil for
Pizzarelli's nasal, bright croon -- a combination that works particularly well on the album's few medleys: "Meditation/Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars," "I Concentrate on You/Wave," and "If You Never Come to Me/Partners." Also compelling is his charming take on his father's lesser-known composition "Two Kites." Elsewhere,
Pizzarelli offers a sprightly rendition of "Baubles, Bangles and Beads," sinks into the '60s-tinged original "She's So Sensitive," and delivers a breezy take on singer
Michael Franks' own
Jobim-themed composition "Antonio's Song." Ultimately,
Sinatra & Jobim at 50 works as both an homage to two of
Pizzarelli's biggest influences and a revealing showcase for his ever deepening musical palette. ~ Matt Collar