Gustavo Assis-Brasil: in concert dvd/cd combo

News:
12-06-2008:

Available June 20. Abstract Logix Exclusive . This is a CD and DVD Package.
Gustavo Assis-Brasil (guitar/nylon guitar); José Pienasola (bass); Mauricio Zottarelli (drums); Nené Vianna (fretless electric bass on 7, 10, 11); Bruno Tessele (drums on 7, 11); Julio “Chumbinho” Herrlein (guitar on 3, 5, 9).

An accomplished guitarist with a remarkably fluid linear concept and a distinctive, ultra-sophisticated harmonic sense, Boston-based Gustavo Assis-Brasil also exhibits a fully developed voice as a composer on his auspicious debut as a leader (available as a two disc set DVD-CD). Recorded on July 20, 2007 before an appreciative hometown audience in his birthplace of Santa Maria, Brazil, In Concert showcases Assis-Brasil on a set of 12 original compositions that distinguish him as a formidable new talent on the jazz scene.

Accompanied by his regular working rhythm tandem of bassist José Pienasola and drummer Mauricio Zottarelli, along with special guests Nené Vianna on fretless electric bass, Bruno Tessele on drums and Julio “Chumbinho” Herrlein on guitar, Assis-Brasil unleashes considerable chops in the context of his highly appealing originals on In Concert. And while he may have absorbed the influences of such contemporary guitar heroes as Pat Metheny, John Scofield, Frank Gambale, Toninho Horta, Romero Lubambo, Pat Martino and Allan Holdsworth over the years, Gustavo has forged a very personal style by utilizing a singular hybrid picking technique which he has developed to a high art. Essentially a blend of conventional plectrum playing and classical fingerstyle technique, this hybrid picking style allows him to execute flowing legato lines and streams of flawless arpeggios at dazzling speeds. This kind of six-string virtuosity, combined with a darkly beautiful harmonic sense that imbues his tunes with a sense of mystery, instantly sets Assis-Brasil apart from the hordes of promising young jazz guitarists emerging on the scene.



By assimilating a wide range of musical influences from his native Brazil and from his years of studying classical guitar, along with his longstanding love of American jazz, Gustavo was able to come up with something that was uniquely his own.

Having majored in classical guitar in Brazil, Gustavo later studied jazz at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and earned a masters degree there in 2001.

He succeeds beautifully on In Concert, presenting startlingly original material like the harmonically challenging “The Same Day,” performed with interactive sensitivity by his trio, and the darkly pensive ballad “The Reason Why,” which is underscored by Zottarelli’s gentle brushwork and highlighted by Gustavo’s lyrical legato touch. The guitarist’s buoyant “Eba Fubah” surges with forward momentum and features a fleet-fingered solo by fellow guitarist “Chumbinho.” Gustavo answers with some inspired sweep picking and blistering scalar runs of his own on this upbeat offering, then turns in some sizzling six-string work on the luminous “Fim De Tarde,” which also features a potent solo from bassist Pienasola.

On “55” (For Wayne Krantz), Assis-Brasil executes daring intervallic leaps with Krantz-like precision while on “Sul” he joins with bassist Pienasola for some intricate unison lines on the knotty, dissonant head. That piece also demonstrates the highly interactive nature of Gustavo’s trio with Pienasola and Zottarelli.

Guest bassist Vianna plays the melody of “Dec. 31st” with a warmth and lyricism that recalls Jaco Pastorius’s playing on Joe Zawinul’s touching ballad “A Remark You Made.” And guest guitarist “Chumbinho” contributes a swinging solo on the breezy “Pra Anamaria,” which also features a gorgeous unaccompanied intro by Assis-Brasil on his nylon string Soloette Guitar. “New Idea” features some chops-busting unisons by Gustavo and Nené on the angular head (the guitarist’s answer to Eddie Harris’s “Freedom Jazz Dance” or Jaco’s “Teen Town”) while the mellow “Invisible Meeting” sets a soothing tone that goes down easy. Bassist Vianna returns to funk it up on the catchy, groove-oriented “Sanguessuga” and the collection closes on an introspective note with the delicate “Long Gone,” composed by drummer Zottarelli.

In Concert was produced by Gustavo and directed by his father, Sergio de Assis Brasil, who passed away at age 60 shortly after filming this DVD. “I’m really happy that we got to work together on this project and that I now have this wonderful document of that concert in my home town. It was really a special evening.”

And one that he can now share with six-string aficionados everywhere. It’s a strong first impression indeed by a promising new talent deserving of wider recognition. -- Bill Milkowski

Track listing
The Same Day
The Reason Why
Eba Fubah
Pra Anamaria
55
New Ideia
Dec 31
Next Week (for Chris)