The third of tenor-saxophonist
Joe Henderson's tribute CDs on Verve was originally supposed to be a collaboration with the great bossa nova composer
Antonio Carlos Jobim but
Jobim's unexpected death turned this project into a memorial.
Henderson performs a dozen of the composer's works with one of two separate groups: a Brazilian quartet starring pianist
Eliane Elias and a jazz trio with pianist
Herbie Hancock, bassist
Christian McBride and drummer
Jack DeJohnette. In general,
Henderson avoids
Jobim's best-known songs in favor of some of his more obscure (but equally rewarding) melodies and in some cases (such as a very straight-ahead "No More Blues") the treatments are surprising. Highlights of this very accessible yet unpredictable CD include "Felicidade," "Triste," "Zingaro" and a duet with guitarist
Oscar Castro-Neves on "Once I Loved," although all of the performances are quite enjoyable. Highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow